The B-52 lives on

[mikeford]

only 90-something remain, all the last-produced H models.

if i keep a broom for 80 years, and change the head 10 times and the handle 5 times, is it still the same broom?

For a start, a B52 isn't a broom.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

For a start, a B52 isn't a broom.

 

[dougp]

If you like B-52's read some of the early Dale Brown books. They're technothrillers in the Tom Clancy vein, mostly about special weapons programs centered on heavily modified and modernized B-52s. Good reads if you're into aviation warfare fiction.

Yup, unfortunately he really strayed from the original McClanahan time-line and went all freaky sci-fi.

 

[BUTCH1]

Vietnam War - Battle Of Khe Sanh - Operation Arc Light B-52 Bombers in Action - 1968

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7B4q37MkB8

NVA must have started shitting bricks when they heard the '52's overhead, hell is coming from 20,000ft and there is no where to hide from that kind of fire-power.

 

[Brian Stirling]

I worked on B-52G's back in 1978-1982 and they were pigs back then... I got to work a bit on B-52H's during the same period and they were the same... Antiques to say the least but a strong airframe and some awesome landing gear...

80 years I mean like damn...?

I worked avionics instruments on G models 77-81 at SJAFB. They were as old as I was when I was working on them and were in bad shape wiring wise. Hard to imagine that the planes I worked on being a bit over 20 years old are now about 55 years old.

The landing gear could be canted into the wind (crabbed) and if there was a strong crosswind they'd come in at an angle that was a bit unnerving to the uninitiated. The other thing that made them standout was that they often appeared to be a bit nose-down on approach unlike the typical approach that's noticeably nose-up.

During the Viet Nam war the Buff's would take off from Guam and drop below the cliff for a minute before climbing back up to altitude. The max fuel capacity was as much as 320,000 pounds while the max munitions load was about 80,000 pounds -- depending on model. When departing heavy with bombs the fuel load was a lot less so as soon as the plane reached elevation they'd do the first of many refueling's.


Brian

 

[K1052]

With RB211s? I thought that plan was still on the shelves?

I guess it wouldn't be such a bad time to consider them now that 757s are increasingly being retired. A lot of them already went to Fedex, though iirc they're done adding any more to the fleet for now.

Haven't read of any other engine being considered yet.

Last I saw they were going to do an RFP for public private partnership where fuel savings repays the cost. Could be any of the major makers depending on the deal and solution. Should have been done a decade ago anyway.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Why would they get rid of them; what would their replacements do that they can't? We have fancy fighters and fighter/bombers to clear the air and AA defenses, so all the B52 typically has to do is show up and drop bombs everywhere.

That's what I'd like to know.

Just build some more. What the hell do you need to ever design something new for, unless some extremely awesome technology allows you to build bombers that can carry the same ordinance and maybe go twice as fast, or have a cloaking device or something.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[gorobei]

There is a real Beryllium ball.

I used to do the final balancing on those that went into the Nav systems on them.

I like F-15Ks and a few other things I've done here and there.

Nice Lego toy

that looks nothing like a berylium sphere.

see how round and well formed they are

 

[SSSnail]

Oh, I thought you meant these...

 

[MongGrel]

that looks nothing like a berylium sphere.

see how round and well formed they are

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

The first time I saw that movie I almost died laughing.

 

[chubbyfatazn]

Last I saw they were going to do an RFP for public private partnership where fuel savings repays the cost. Could be any of the major makers depending on the deal and solution. Should have been done a decade ago anyway.

I thought that got shot down by the accountability office or some other. Guess I have more reading to do.

Either way, from a spotter's viewpoint at least we still get to see them smoky JT3Ds. Wish I got on a 707 when I still had the chance.

 

[Sabrewings]

The last of 744 B52's was delivered in 1962 but the Air Force plans to keep them in service until 2040 - more than 80 years after the first delivery in 1955.

It's array of ordnance is still impressive.

More info:

http://www.businessinsider.com/here...ru&utm_medium=email&utm_content=MarketsSelect

http://airman.dodlive.mil/2012/04/alive-and-kicking/

It's funny you should post this as I just got here, but I was there when that picture was taken. I worked Buffs at Barksdale AFB for the first five years of my AF career and helped set up all of the equipment for the photo.

They take a lot of man power to keep in the air, but they're really an interesting plane. Total PITA to work on, though. Too many "retrofits" over the years.

 

[MongGrel]

Yeah, but those big boys are bad ass.

And fly a lot more than any F35 has and most of them have actually seen combat in the past.

Probably all of them.

Most people don't realize how damned big they are to begin with.

 

[Sabrewings]

only 90-something remain, all the last-produced H models.

if i keep a broom for 80 years, and change the head 10 times and the handle 5 times, is it still the same broom?

The broom is a different scenario because you said you replaced the handle. If it were really a good analogy, you wouldn't replace the handle. Yep, Buffs (and all aircraft) go through engines all the time, they go through avionics boxes, tires, struts, hydraulic actuators etc. One thing that doesn't change is the air frame. It might be repaired if need be, but overall the structure of the plane is the same one that was there in 1960 or 1961 when our current B-52s rolled off the assembly line.

 

[MongGrel]

The broom is a different scenario because you said you replaced the handle. If it were really a good analogy, you wouldn't replace the handle. Yep, Buffs (and all aircraft) go through engines all the time, they go through avionics boxes, tires, struts, hydraulic actuators etc. One thing that doesn't change is the air frame. It might be repaired if need be, but overall the structure of the plane is the same one that was there in 1960 or 1961 when our current B-52s rolled off the assembly line.

Why I wasn't going to argue with him at the time, the airframe is the same, with maybe minor things.

 

[MongGrel]

That's what I'd like to know.

Just build some more. What the hell do you need to ever design something new for, unless some extremely awesome technology allows you to build bombers that can carry the same ordinance and maybe go twice as fast, or have a cloaking device or something.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

If you want fast, we still have several B1's hanging around.

Still have a few B-2's also, but that was a large waste of money.

The B-1s are fast and impressive as hell.

 

[cabri]

Yup, unfortunately he really strayed from the original McClanahan time-line and went all freaky sci-fi.

The original concept was to apply new experimental hi tech to an existing platform.

20 years later, he is still doing, but taking the hi tech and now creating experimental platforms to utilize instead

 

[MongGrel]

RAW VIDEO B1 Bomber Strikes direct hit's on Taliban Positions afghanistan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OosmOI_aROo

B-1 Drops Four 2000 Pound Bombs On Taliban Compound In Afghanistan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYjY3UqE1t0

Incredible 6,000 lb JDAM Airstrike in Afghanistan, MUST SEE!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fc8bgf1pGk

MASSIVE EXPLOSION SHOCKWAVE HITS CAMERA



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s3-c2gpbEs

 

[bbhaag]

Yeah, but those big boys are bad ass.

And fly a lot more than any F35 has and most of them have actually seen combat in the past.

Probably all of them.

Most people don't realize how damned big they are to begin with.

We visited the Airforce Museum in Dayton this year on our way back from Cleveland. They have one of these plains in the hanger. They have it up in the air so you can walk underneath it and see into the cargo hold.

Anyway, the first thing that struck me about the plane was its massive size. The wingspan is not something you can truly appreciate from looking at a photo. Seeing it in person is mind boggling.

 

[MongGrel]

Yeah, we were at the opening Buccaneers game at Raymond James Stadium.

They had a B-52 do a low fly-over when they did the National Anthem.

We were sitting on the far side and saw it coming in, I swear the wings looked like they went from one side of the stadium to the other went it went overhead, they probably did.

They are Huge.

I grew up in Indiana, I've been to the Dayton Museum in the past it's very cool, there are a few down here in Florida are nice also.

Yeah, a B-52 makes something like a B-17 look like an ant.

 

[UglyCasanova]

It's funny you should post this as I just got here, but I was there when that picture was taken. I worked Buffs at Barksdale AFB for the first five years of my AF career and helped set up all of the equipment for the photo.

They take a lot of man power to keep in the air, but they're really an interesting plane. Total PITA to work on, though. Too many "retrofits" over the years.

Went to an Airshow at Barksdale about 2 months ago. They had a B52 do a low altitude flyover which was neat.

 

[JEDI]

It's funny you should post this as I just got here, but I was there when that picture was taken. I worked Buffs at Barksdale AFB for the first five years of my AF career and helped set up all of the equipment for the photo.

They take a lot of man power to keep in the air, but they're really an interesting plane. Total PITA to work on, though. Too many "retrofits" over the years.

the big silver bomb at the nose is a nuke?

whats the 2 big things under each wing?

 

[mmntech]

This plane wasn't built in the WWII era...

Edit: nm, I guess it kinda was

To put it into perspective, the USAF still had P-51s and F4U Corsairs in active service when the B-52 took its first flight in 1952.

The Russian TU-95 Bear came out at the same time as the B-52, but some of the airframes aren't as old. These are the planes that tend to fly too close to UK airspace.

Not much use for heavy strategic bombers anymore though. US still used the B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit. Russia still has the TU-160 Blackjack, which is a knockoff B-1.

I don't think any of these really see much combat aside from the B-2. Most air forces have switched to precision ground attack tactics using multi-role fighters.

 

[John Connor]

RAW VIDEO B1 Bomber Strikes direct hit's on Taliban Positions afghanistan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OosmOI_aROo

B-1 Drops Four 2000 Pound Bombs On Taliban Compound In Afghanistan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYjY3UqE1t0

Incredible 6,000 lb JDAM Airstrike in Afghanistan, MUST SEE!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fc8bgf1pGk

MASSIVE EXPLOSION SHOCKWAVE HITS CAMERA



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s3-c2gpbEs

Happy fourth of July fellas. LOL

 

[The Boston Dangler]

the big silver bomb at the nose is a nuke?

whats the 2 big things under each wing?

in front of the nose is an 8-pack rotary dispensor loaded with what appear to be tomahawk cruise missiles. beneath each wing are carriages loaded with external pylons, 3 cruise missiles on the right wing and 3 cluster bombs on the left.

a nuclear weapon could be as small as the medium-sized weapons displayed, including nuclear-armed tomahawks.