B-52's Flying After 50 yrs, Herky Birds, A-10 Warthogs
Now look at these platforms and see how they are flying well into the 21st century with upgrades and other stuff, by the time the '52 is to be retired the yougest airframe is to be almost 80 yrs old!!!!! Problem with the shuttle is that it's tooooo darned COMPLIACTED! And it flew with no real station constrction missions in it's first 10 years