This Rockwell B-1A bomber was the third prototype built and the second to fly out of four prototypes built by Rockwell before the program was cancelled in 1977 during the Carter administration. President Reagan revived the program in 1981 with a contract for 100 B-1B bombers which was an improved version of the B-1A. Esther's son Jim worked for Rockwell after graduating from Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech) and he worked on the B-1B program so Esther was pleased to see the aircraft so close up.