"Youngest B-52 Stratofortress Achieves 50 Years of Service" Topic

I have always had a soft spot in my heart for the ole BUFF . Robert

"Youngest Boeing B-52 Stratofortress Achieves 50 Years of Service
by Staff Writers
Wichita, KS (SPX) Oct 29, 2012

The Boeing B-52 has been the backbone of the United States' manned strategic bomber force for nearly 60 years.

Boeing has marked 50 years since the company delivered its last B-52 Stratofortress to the U.S. Air Force. H-model bomber 61-040 was assigned to Minot Air Force Base, N.D., where it remains in active service.

Boeing built 744 B-52s, in eight different models, from 1952 to 1962.

The Air Force fleet today comprises 76 H-models – two test aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., and 74 operational aircraft that are assigned to Minot and to Barksdale Air Force Base, La. All the H-models were built in Wichita."

link

Occasionally, I see one fly out of Plant 42, but rarely.

I still remember the first one I saw as a kid at Ramey AB, PR, in 1959. After growing up with B-36s, my first thought was "how small!"

Hmm, I was in Minot in 1962, left in 64. I wonder if I saw that one?

They've been doing their job so long, I'm suprised they have'nt acquired sentience.

Talk about 'Flight of the Old Dog'…..

I once heard the B-52 described as a collection of spare parts flying in close formation.
I still think they are way cool!

An amazing aircraft, to be sure.

Guess the aeronautical engineers of the day knew their stuff.

Just goes to show what can be done with a modern day sliderule, and a bit of ingenuity.

Was a Air Force Brat and Dad was stationed on 3 SAC bases – Whiteman MO, Torrejon Spain and Columbus MS. Love the sound of the Buff taking off.

They tried to replace the B52 several times, but it's still the most reliable bomber in the fleet.

I wouldn't say it's that tiny compared to the B-36.

In 2012 it was announced that USAF engineering studies suggest that the life span of the B-52 could extend beyond 2040

Seen many B-52s some at airshows more at TDY Bases in UK
Largest number seen at any one time was 8 B-52Gs

I was always amazed to see them take off – the fuselage is at an angle that looks, to my eye, like it should be heading for the ground instead of gaining altitude. Definitely one of the "bigger hammers" of the AF.

I had the opportunity to observe on the ground for a B52 as it turned a known Iraqi insurgent hideout into a crater in 2007. The shock waves created by the ordinance even at a safe distance were incredible! I've been a big fan of the aircraft ever since.

Billy Yank

Just goes to show what a good, flexible design and excellent on-going maintenance can do.

Boeing also made the 707/KC-135 airframe, which also is remarkable for its longevity I once talked to a pilot in his forties whose daughter was training on the same aircraft he trained on!

My favourite B-52 experience was in 1985, as I watched a B-52G?, flanked by two F-14's, fly over the Great Pyramid!

I remember when I was in my High School AFJROTC class being able to get up close and personal a couple of times. Truly one huge Mutha . Robert

There's one in Duxford air museum, standing under it you realise the bomb bay is nearly as long as the B-17/B-24 next to it!

I grew up around B-52s as my father was a command pilot. He flew during operations Chrome Dome and Hard head during the Cold War carrying nukes. And in Vietnam he flew during LineBacker I & II and Rolling Thunder before retiring after 30 years service.

I was in AFJROTC back in the days when alot of them were in the Boneyard. Robert

I grew up watching them fly out of Wurtsmith AFB. I was always amazed that someting so big and ungainly looking could fly. An aerospace engineering marvel!

I seem to recall reading somewhere that they all still have their original skin and are still carrying the vacuum tubes in the bomb bay as they are EMP proof.But I'm not sure where. I'm Robert

+1 to jpattern2. I get a bit misty-eyed over long and loyally serving machinery (which I guess will help when our robot overlords arrive).

There is periodic refurbishing of the B-52 but I'm not sure of what parts. Robert

"Executives at Boeing ….. have said that the crews that will fly the B-52 into the boneyard haven't been born yet."

LOL. Robert

A sad and very nice shot of the Boneyard.

Robert

Interesting paint scheme on the two on the right, don't remember seeing that before. Isn't the SE Asia scheme, anyone know where it was used?

I don't know what type if it is a camo scheme.I'm not sure when the photo was taken but I have read that 1991 the IR Green used for the camouflage when weathered could take on a reddish brown tint. Robert

One of the Osprey Books mentions it as the B-52 "Strategic Scheme". Robert

Funny how most of the information mention that the B-52 "SIOP" scheme was 3-color though. Robert

Ok. I'm thinking primer maybe? Robert

Looks like peeling paint to me.

Wings Palette doesn't have anything either, this is the only two-tone paint job:

Too bad, it is kind of a pretty scheme.

Thats probably it as IR Green has been mentioned to turn reddish brown after weathering. And being in the desert will certainly do that LOL. Robert

This is a shot from 1996 and you can see how faded the camo is.

And this shows the two color scheme too,

Robert

Sorry. Didn't realize I posted the same photo twice. Robert

Here is a photo of the baby of the B-52s . Robert