The B-52: Three are going to Spain for exercises. Interesting info about them. http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/b-52s-are-headed-to-spain-to-take-part-in-european-war-1761715962...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Three are going to Spain for exercises. Interesting info about them.

http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/b-52s-are-headed-to-spain-to-take-part-in-european-war-1761715962

tramsey Loc: Texas

jerryc41 wrote:

Three are going to Spain for exercises. Interesting info about them.

http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/b-52s-are-headed-to-spain-to-take-part-in-european-war-1761715962

Jerry those airplanes are about as old as you MG. They were deployed, I think, in 1954 or 55 and it's still a workhorse.

James Slick Loc: Pittsburgh,PA

tramsey wrote:

Jerry those airplanes are about as old as you MG. They were deployed, I think, in 1954 or 55 and it's still a workhorse.

And likely to be a workhorse in 2055, The B-52, like the Zippo lighter is a classic case of "if it ain't broke,dont fix it"!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

tramsey wrote:

Jerry those airplanes are about as old as you MG. They were deployed, I think, in 1954 or 55 and it's still a workhorse.

I'd be concerned flying in a plane that big and that old. Think "metal fatigue." I saw a bit on TV about a pilot who was flying the same B-52 that his father had flown.

ecblackiii Loc: Maryland

Pilots need not worry about the age or metal fatigue. The B-52s were built to last and have been renovated to install modern navigation systems, radar, electronic jamming and other protection systems. The metal fatigue and systems wear is taken care of in periodic depot maintenance, which tears down the plane to inspect and replace anything worn that matters to safety of flight, including the frame and skin. But they are fuel hogs, and are expensive to fly and maintain at the level required.

flathead27ford Loc: Colorado, North of Greeley

You gots to love the Buff! ;-) Nice article. Thanks Jerry.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

ecblackiii wrote:

Pilots need not worry about the age or metal fatigue. The B-52s were built to last and have been renovated to install modern navigation systems, radar, electronic jamming and other protection systems. The metal fatigue and systems wear is taken care of in periodic depot maintenance, which tears down the plane to inspect and replace anything worn that matters to safety of flight, including the frame and skin. But they are fuel hogs, and are expensive to fly and maintain at the level required.

I suppose the military planes are built better, and maintenance is a priority. It was metal fatigue that did in the Dehavilland Comet. They started falling from the sky, but no one knew why.

LarryInSeattle Loc: Seattle, WA

@flathead, not everyone knows what BUFF stands for. For those that don't, I'll just say that B is for 'big' and U is for 'ugly'.

flathead27ford Loc: Colorado, North of Greeley

LarryInSeattle wrote:

@flathead, not everyone knows what BUFF stands for. For those that don't, I'll just say that B is for 'big' and U is for 'ugly'.

LOL, yeah, and one F stands for Fat. I'm sure most of the folks can figure out the final F. ;-) Cheers.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

There are so many variables to "metal fatigue" and with this slow old bird most all were discovered and re-engineered well before this bird went into production - it never broke and they never fixed it - well the air frame any way.
I was luck to get up close and personal with one in Sacramento last fall - you can either call this a close up or a panorama _LOL

jerryc41 wrote:

I'd be concerned flying in a plane that big and that old. Think "metal fatigue." I saw a bit on TV about a pilot who was flying the same B-52 that his father had flown.

W3KLS Loc: PA USA

For those with no imagination the last F is "fellow" ......... usually!

flathead27ford wrote:

LOL, yeah, and one F stands for Fat. I'm sure most of the folks can figure out the final F. ;-) Cheers.