Although I didn't think so at the time I was lucky enough to crew acft 169 out of Mather A.F.B. One of the first iron bomb aeroplanes to fly out of Guam to Vietnam. I can still remember the feeling of lightness after deploying our payload over the jungle. Long time ago but still remember.

i still love this bomber

i love this bomber

I loved this aircraft as it was a navigators airplane. I flew in the B-52 C/D models at Westover AFB from 1964 to 1967 and enjoyed ever minute of it. I was on a Select crew and we were chosen to develope the "Iron Bomb" procedures for the B-52's so they could be sent to Vietnam. The only thing I didn't care for were the 26 hour long "Chrome Dome" missions over to Europe.

I was the EWO on the first B-52D crew to complete 100 msns in Southeast Asia in Nov. of 1967. The old girl was by far the most forgiving aircraft ever. Our ECM equipment was the best of any B-52 ever built,and our ability to counter the SAM threat was almost without equal. Ditto that for the MIG threat; our score there was 15 to 0!

Walker AFB New Mexico, Guam I loaded many many MK 82s, but that was ok because they never came back

I flew the B-52 G & H models out of Minot AFB, ND and Barksdale AFB, LA during the 80's as co-pilot, aircraft commander, and instructor pilot. The aircraft was never used for its original purpose - the delivery of nuclear weapons in war. As part of the nuclear triad, it did the job of deterring the Soviet Union and Chinese from forcing their influence upon us. When the first model of the B52 launched, I was eight months old. Now I'm approaching 56 and the last B-52 crew has yet to be born. That says a lot for the durability of Boeing design and maintenance on the aircraft and its accompanying Boeing KC-135 tanker force. With a success like that, why should we taxpayers switch to Aibus airframes. They have a nasty habit of falling apart in the sky. American Airlines takeoff out of LGA in 2001 and the Air France disaster out of Brazil in 2009 are two good examples.

I guarded SAC B-52's from 65-69 with the 91st Bombardment Wing in both Glasgow AFB, MT and Anderson AFB in Guam. We had 2 launches daily of 5-6 birds bombing Vietnam. I watched 2 crash with all crewmembers lost. These were the "black Eagles". Wonderful birds and crews.

Sara,

I was a B-52 Bomb/Navigation-Offensive Avionics Systems technician/Master Instructor from 1974-1993. "8 x turbo-jet" means 8 J-57 turbojet engines (B-52A through G models). Late-series BUFFs had water injection to increase thrust, as the J-57s were rated at between 11,000 and 13,000 pounds. P&W TF-33-P-3 were the turboFAN engines used on the B-52H models. These engines were rated at 20,000 pounds thrust each, although they were governed to around 17,000 pounds so as not to overstress the airframe

Among the minor errors in this article are: there were no B-52s with 4 20mm cannon. Very few had 2 20mms adapted/adopted from the B-47/B-36. The great majority of B through G models were armed with 4 .50 caliber turret mounted, radar guided/aimed tailguns. B-52 H models were armed with one M-61A3 Vulcan 6 barreled 20mm rotary cannon capable of up to 4,000 rounds per minute.

B-52H models were capable of a top speed of around 695 mph (slightly higher in a dive).

During Vietnam, many D model and some G model B-52s were modified (know as "Big Belly) to carry 84 each 500 pounds bombs internally, with 24 500s or 750s on external wing-mounted pylons, for a total of 108 bombs.

A fully loaded B-52H could carry 4 gravity-type nuclear weapons, plus a rotary magazine with up to 8 SRAMs or cruise missiles, internally, PLUS up to 12 Air Launched Cruise Missiles or AGM-69 Short Range Attack Missiles (SRAM) on wing-mounted pylons. No idea what they can do now.

The B-52 was supposed to be an interim, high altitude precision nuclear bomber and was to serve into the late 70's/early 80's. Predicted service life has been extended until at least 2025, and they have been adapted/modifid for many different roles. The newest one, tail number 61-01040, rolled off the assembly line in June, 1962 (I was 6 1/2 years old).

Does anyone know what happened to Merlin DeCamp (old D model troop; retired out of Lowry)?

I served on B52F's and G's for almost all of my 20 year career as a Bomb/Navigation Technician. I can honestly say that THE most impressive thing I ever saw them do was a 30 aircraft MITO,(Minimum Interval Take Off), during an ORI,(Organization Readiness Inspection), at Carswell AFB in the mid 60's. For those of you who may not know about MITO's, the first a/c takes off straight ahead, the next starts down the runway almost immediately after the first and just as soon as he gets airborne he banks hard left, the third follows the second, but peels of to the right and they continue that pattern until the last a/c. By that time the air is boiling black and each of the pilots are fighting to maintain control. During that particular MITO one of the aircraft in about the 8th or 10th spot lost an engine and we watched the dust fly up from the end of the runway and he barely, and I mean BARELY, cleared the hill off of the end of the runway, which was a major highway in Ft. Worth! We all stood there awestruck but it made it! I am proud to have worked on such an incredible aircraft!

The photo on top could be the GE test bed aircraft out of Mojave that was testing CF6 engines, at Edwards AFB in the late 60's to early 70's. The aircaft is still here at Edwards, on the South edge of the lakebed all cut up along with "379" (barrier test aircraft). "008" (Balls-8) is on display at the North Gate,(Hwy 58)to Edwards AFB, CA. I was the Crew Chief/Flt Mech on 008 from 69-75 got out of the service and started crewing 905, NASA's 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft. The B-58 and the B-52's still hold a warm spot in my heart. They were both great aircraft to work and fly on.

The photo on top could be the GE test bed aircraft out of Mojave that was testing CF6 engines, at Edwards AFB in the late 60's to early 70's. The aircaft is still here at Edwards, on the South edge of the lakebed all cut up along with "379" (barrier test aircraft). "008" (Balls-8) is on display at the North Gate,(Hwy 58)to Edwards AFB, CA. I was the Crew Chief/Flt Mech on 008 from 69-75 got out of the service and started crewing 905, NASA's 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft. The B-58 and the B-52's still hold a warm spot in my heart. They were both great aircraft to work and fly on.

the biggest and baddest

In 1959 we received brand new B52gs and Kc135s, Itwas around1982 we went up to Grissom AFB in to watch the Thunder birds and look at the changes, Parked was the uglist B52 I ever saw, I told my son who was around 12 or 13 . cOME ON AND iLL SHOW YOU WHAT i WORKED ON, H laughed and said you never worked on that, we walked up to the frorn Wheel well and I was showing him stufff and the crew was setting uo there drinkinga beer, I asked where they where from, They said Rome NY I said oh the old 4039th at Griffis, They asked me if I was stationed there and where shocked when I told them we received the planes in 1059 and 60 from the factory,

I was fortunate (?) enough to amass 3,000 hours in D's, F's, G,s & H's during my career as a navigator & bombadier. Over the years, it was amazing how the changes to the bombing and naigation systems made the BUFF an accurate bombing platform. In the early days, winding up in the correct state was pretty good. Flying over the pond in either direction was very stressful -- does anyone remember "grid?" Yikes!!!

I was fortunate to fly the last D model in bomb comp just before it headed to the bone yard. It was as accurate as any airplane in the competition and finished well. It truly was a joy to fly: the mission was always a challenge. A successful day always left the crew with a great feeling of accomlishment. And, it really was a crew effort.

it sucks

I flew in a B-52C out of Westover AFB as an EWO (Old Crow--really old now!). From what I understood, ours were the oldest B-52 models flying missions over Vietnam out of Andersen AFB, Guam. A wonderful aircraft piloted by a great former Korean fighter jock, Ed Lewis, one of the few African-American B-52 pilots at that time, who I always trusted to bring me home safely, as he did me to do my job professionally, if need be. We were together for 3 memorable years at Westover AFB. Our wing had been an Augmentee Wing at Andersen for training purposes (16 missions) prior to our planned return to Guam for 1 1/2 years as the Resident Wing. The Resident General pinned the air medal on my tans after the 16th mission; however, while doing so he pricked his finger and said "sorry, Captain, I got a spot of blood on your uniform." Since he was one of the guys, I said "that's o.k., Sir, it'll give me courage" to which he laughed! He was due to be re-assigned to Washington and most likely another star; sadly, he went down on his final mission as The Task Force Commander, sitting in the jump seat, due to a mid-air collision. The base was shocked! Some things you never forget! I never made that next tour since I wiped out my left knee that knocked me off flying status. Off to civilian life for me! In case any of the old crew happens to read this, and especially Ed Lewis, please send me an e-mail. Obviously, I have some great memories of my 6 years service. Phone: 978-499-4479. Cell: 978-944-2324
God Bless Our Troops!

MY FATHER WORKED ON THE FIRE CONTROL IN THE EARLY 50'S. WE WERE STATIONED AT LORY IN MAINE.

look at the turbine on the left side ta wrong !!!!!!!

What can be said about the '52? surely a true great, still in service upgraded fifty years later. Long may she continue!

I was delivering my second son when the FIRST B52's were flying over Merced Ca on way to Castle Air base ie SAC. AND every time went to visit Merced; I was first out the door to again be thrilled to HEAR and SEE the PILOT as he was coming in over Merced and I would love to have a picture of this MAGNIFICENT Plane. Once the site at Castle had good pictures however that site is gone and I did not have PC for long while. Thank you. I miss to this day that grand / Magnificent SOUND.

Flew D models in the '70s and 80's. Most flights involved constantly working around malfunctions. The systems were so redundant that flights normally continued albeit with more complications. The B-52 is/was a truly great machine.

Just wanted to say these guys were awesome aircraft! I worked on the Fire Control System at Barksdale from 76 to 83. Weather they were a 57, 58, or 59 model, I got to know each and every tail number that came through there and believe me it really tore me up when I visited Davis Monthan in the early 90's and saw the same tail numbers sitting there in pieces. All I could think of was all my blood, sweat, and guts that I left on them to keep them flying. All the times when I am still out at the tail working at 3:00 am and watching the crew pull up to do their preflight. But we never gave up and always managed to get the aircraft back to the green "GO" status. Those were the good ole days although we worked very hard, the wing always seemed to reward hard work. Keep Em Flying Mighty 8AF!

I read with some interest some of the comments above First I have flown just over 7000hrs as a gunner in the B-52, 4000 hrs in the "Tall Tail" aircraft 3000 hrs in G's and H's. I flew over 400 missions over Vietnam. After leaving active duty I went to work in the WST at Castle AFB training crewmembers to fly the Aircraft. when talking about performance and engines it all depends which model you are refering too, only the "H" had fans. the Tall Tail A-F used water to increase thrust for takeoff. The A model (3) was never operational the B was the first to be deployed operationaly. The B52 was designed to have a A3 gunnery system (quad 50.cal's) but there was a problem with the system so the Turret/radar system was replaced with the MD5 system Twin 20MM guns. As Stan points out above the system was used on the B36 and the B47 Later "B" had the A3A system, then the A3A replaced by the MD9 the "G" had the ASG 15 system All these were pretty much had the same Track while Scan radar ( the system could lock on and track a tgt while continuing to search for other tgts) and a turret with Quad 50 cal's. the gunner moved to the forward cockpit with the "G" the "H" came with a new system the ASG21 the gunner in the up front and the system designed by Emerson had a 20MM 6 barrel cannon. They have talked about re-engining the aircraft but it always come down to Dollars and cents but the "H" is still flying with upgraded systems and still doing a great job. I sure miss the old "D" model

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.