I just stumbled across an article showing photos of the B52 boneyard in Arizona. Why was the B52 grounded? I had heard it was a very useful aircraft. It's sad to see such a magnificant plane just sitting in a field rusting away. If anybody can give me some insight on my questions, please email me. Thanks.

I served as Maintenance Officer on the B52C/D for two years in 1968/69. A thrill to fly on them although I threw up during a low level training run. I remember some went to the scrap yard with only 6000 flights or less compared to a B727 with 70000 flights.

I was stationed at DM AFB in 1950 and we had the pleasure of having we thought the first B52 bombers on our base. Or was I dreaming

In the early 70s I saw a scramble of B-52s and KC135s launch out of Carswell AFB at about 2AM one night. It was an awesome sight and the earth litterally trembled at the thunder of the engines. It was an experience of a lifetime I will never forget.

The B52H model's fire control system (ASG-21) used a gimbal fired 20MM M60 Gatling Gun with a firing rate of 4,000 rds/min
It did NOT have four 20MM guns as is stated above. The B52B through B52F used the A3A/MD9 FCS which had four cal. .50 M3 machine guns mounted on a turret along with the track radar. The B52G used the ASG15 FCS and had the same cal. .50 M3 configuration of guns and track radar. There is one exception to some of the B52Bs that had the APG41 FCS with twin 20MM cannon mounted on a turret; this same FCS was used on the B36H and B36J model aircraft. Cheers, Stan

i work on this aircraft every day and just wanted to say you empty weight is way wrong and take off weight and so is the max range. Sorry can't tell you the exact specs but letting you know they are wrong. I am in the air force now. but just letting you know.

Correction to my post about B-52 engines. The document I mentioned indicated the B-52 could out maneuver the Mig-21 not the later Mig-29 at high altitudes.

The high ratio bypass engine in the top illustration was an attempt to match an engine similar to the 747's but apparently the older TF-33 engine excelled at higher altitudes. I read a document once that indicated the B-52 could out maneuver the Mig 29 at altitudes above 55,000 due to the TF-33. The only time I ever saw blackpowder cartridges used to start was during an ORI or operational readiness inspection.

Had the honor of flying in a B-52 from WRB 19th BW (Robbins AFB) on a low level radar bombing run in the NW US (Salina, TX?)(Nebraska) etc. as an orientation ride for Air Traffic Controllers.

Can't you find better pictures. The top picture appears to be a "D", judging by the tail and larger tip tanks, but where did that bastard engine come from in the 5/6 position.

The photo at the top is of an aircraft modified as a large engine testbed. The engine designation(s) are unclear as the B-52 used several different models of J-57 engines with different thrust levels before changing to TF-33 engines for the B-52H. A series of write-ups and photos of the different models of B-52 would have been helpful, as there are significant physical differences in some of the different models. The drawing provided is of the B-52H, and it would have enhanced understanding if that had been indicated.

Oh yes,BTW,why the B-52 on the top image have a different engine?

Althought I like more the Tu-95,the B-52 is still a symbol of mass destruction.
I wonder if itīs interior is as cool as the B-17.

I am a Aero Engineer in Great Britain, When I was working for Rolls-Royce about 10 years ago, the US Air Force wanted a quote to fit four RB211 engines to B-52 to improve performance and fuel economy. There had been previous requests, maybe this was an earlier re-engining test.

I have found in my garage several "site-guns" for B-52 Bomber. Could you help me find a buyer?

Can you further identify your picture? 7 jet engines?
This must be some "test bed" version.

I don't criticize vets unless they tell other people how proud they were of killing "those barbarians", "those communists", "those people who didn't like the american way of life" etc.

"Cha Na Na, Tick Tick, Click Clack, Walla walla boom boom"
which means
"You should not criticize a vet for doing service to his nation, no matter what you believe about the usefulness of warfare"
... or it can also be translated as:
"what's up with the anti-US and anti-Isreal rhetoric?"

Thank you very much for your comments.
You did a marvelous flying career.
But remember how many civilians were killed by those "awesome aircraft" in Vietnam.
O, yes, I forgot, those thousands women and children would deprive the free world of its freedom...

It is interesting that not too much people remember that the US and their "client state" of South Vietnam denied the right of the people for free elections in 1950s. If those elections had ever took place they for sure would have been won by communists. So the Americans did the same for people of South Vietnam as did the Soviets for Eastern Europe - they presented them an unpopular puppet regime.

"Quod licet Jovi, non licet bovi"
what means
"Only the US and Israel are allowed to bomb anybody they want" ;)

These awesome aircraft were the last of the giant bombers flown from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base while I was still living in Tucson, AZ. I later saw them down in Florida when I flew with Eastern Air Lines in and out of Orlando, FL. The engine designations were those of Pratt & Whitney as they applied to a Turbo-Fan model with modifications. Simplly put, these beasts did some damage in their various combat missions against the Communist regime and those who would deprive the free world of its freedom. Call me 404-325-4866 in GA.

I want to comment on the engine. What on earth does that mean? "8 x turbo-jet P+W TF-33-P-3, 75.7kN". I'm doing a report on this aircraft, and I can't understand what the engine is.