Russian tries to buy $600m 'cool' US bomber

Herald Sun ^ | 24 August 2007

[Aussie Dasher]

A WEALTHY Russian tried to buy a US B-52 bomber from a group of shocked American pilots at an airshow near Moscow, a Russian newspaper reported today.

The unidentified Russian, wearing sunglasses and surrounded by bodyguards, approached the US delegation and asked to buy the bomber, the Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper said. An astounded member of the US delegation said the bomber was not for sale but that it would cost at least $US500 million ($610.54 million) if it were to be sold on the spot.

“That is no problem. It is such a cool machine,” the Russian was quoted as saying by the newspaper, which said its reporter overheard the conversation.

The bomber was not sold.

[Aussie Dasher]

That Vlad Putin's a bit of a trickster, ain't he...????

[goldstategop]

Its interesting... at the end of the Cold War, Russian billionaires can buy an American plane for their private collection. In the 1980s, the rouble was so bad it was a joke. They've come a long way in the past few years.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Lokibob]

Hell, the Ruskie has good taste. The BUFF is a cool machine.

....Bob

[ARE SOLE]

Putin said recently that he wanted Russia to gain supremacy in aircraft.

Regards

[longtermmemmory]

TV stunt.

[PLMerite]

Should’ve had a Blackjack offer to race it for pinks.

[Yo-Yo]

“One owner, new interior. Seats five with lots of cargo space. Weapons not included.”

[Dumpster Baby]

Chicks dig the big ones.

[tarheelswamprat]

Should have taken the money and told him that Slim Pickens would deliver it shortly... /grin

[Non-Sequitur]

I remember reading somewhere an account from when the Sultan of Brunei bought a plane from Boeing for his personal use - a 727 or 737 or some similar airliner. He insisted on sitting in on signing the contract. Once the multi-million dollar price tag was agreed on, he pulled a checkbook out of his suit coat and wrote out a check. Then, according to the person giving the account, he carefully entered the check number in the register, the payee, and the amount before closing the book and returning it to his pocket. I suppose that it a good habit to have, I have this mental image of him sitting at the kitchen table, trying to balance his checkbook and asking himself “Now who did I write that $19 million dollar check to?”

[ElectricStrawberry]

Sure it wasn't John Travolta trying to add to his collection?

[Little Ray]

He should buy a mothballed version out of the desert and refurbish it. It would take a bit of work, but it wouldn’t cost him $500 million...

[BallyBill]

Us poor Americans are happy to get a HumVee.

Me, I want an A-10 for highway traffic control.

[RDTF]

this is funny

[Kirkwood]

Yu would think with all of his money that Travolta would build himself a decent hanger.

[Frank_Discussion]

“That is no problem. It is such a cool machine. A guy could have a real good time in Vegas with that,” the Russian was quoted as saying by the newspaper, which said its reporter overheard the conversation.

[RDTF]

[Victor]

"....Yu would think with all of his money that Travolta would build himself a decent hanger....."

True, but then you wouldn't see the 707. Looks pretty cool sitting out there in the backyard with a little gazebo to cover the nose.

[ichabod1]

‘Ow much for dee bumber? I vant to buy your bumber, how much? How much for zee leetle guhl?