Moscow. Aviation Day. During the military parade, ten Bison bombers fly over the city above observers, including several American informants, then disappear over the horizon, only to return in a new formation, always coming from the same direction. This is repeated several times, leading the Americans to conclude that the Soviets have more than 100 long-range nuclear bombers. The ten on parade were actually the only operational ones. This creates panic in Washington and has the unintended effect of actually widening the bomber gap between the Soviets and the Americans. Congress approves a special budget to build a plethora of B-52s. By the end of the decade, the Americans will have 2,000 long-range strategic bombers; the Soviets 150.
