The B-52
Apr 20, 2016 07:04:05 #
There have been a few posts here about the amazing B-52. here's another. What amazes me about this plane, aside from its age, is the fact that it has eight jet engines.
http://www.wired.com/2016/04/gods-green-earth-b-52-still-service/
http://www.wired.com/2016/04/gods-green-earth-b-52-still-service/
Apr 20, 2016 07:12:23 #
jerryc41 wrote:
There have been a few posts here about the amazing B-52. here's another. What amazes me about this plane, aside from its age, is the fact that it has eight jet engines.
http://www.wired.com/2016/04/gods-green-earth-b-52-still-service/
http://www.wired.com/2016/04/gods-green-earth-b-52-still-service/
B-52, someone over 50 you can trust.
--Bob
Apr 20, 2016 07:13:32 #
Apr 20, 2016 07:16:51 #
Apr 20, 2016 07:32:26 #
And I thought the B-52s were a Georgia rock band!
Wow. Seems like we'd have flying saucers by now.
Wow. Seems like we'd have flying saucers by now.
Apr 20, 2016 08:14:07 #
burkphoto wrote:
And I thought the B-52s were a Georgia rock band!
Wow. Seems like we'd have flying saucers by now.
Wow. Seems like we'd have flying saucers by now.
There was also a local band of that name.
Apr 21, 2016 06:22:20 #
Indeed an awesome bird. I remember them flying overhead on the way to North Vietnam when Linebacker II began on Dec 18, 1972. That was the first night we began bombing the Hanoi area. After that 11 day bombing campaign (which helped end the war and get our POWs freed), even the fighter jocks had a whole new respect and perspective of the BUFF guys.
Apr 21, 2016 09:31:30 #
Here's a Yahoo news clip about the B-52 I saw today:
http://www.yahoo.com/news/pentagon-sends-legendary-b-52-bomber-action-against-182402057.html
http://www.yahoo.com/news/pentagon-sends-legendary-b-52-bomber-action-against-182402057.html
Apr 21, 2016 10:19:55 #
OldEarl
Loc: Northeast Kansas
What would you call a B-52 crew member as old as his craft?
Answer: General.
Answer: General.
Apr 21, 2016 11:30:55 #
Gotta love the BUFF. Great aircraft and something you don't want to see incoming toward your position if you're on the wrong side :)
Tom (USAF 1966-1988)
Tom (USAF 1966-1988)
Apr 21, 2016 11:52:52 #
OldEarl wrote:
What would you call a B-52 crew member as old as his craft?
Answer: General.
Answer: General.
Or Chief. I was the last gunner to fly on a Buff. Just shy of 5,000 hours total with 1100 being 'combat time.' When the Soviet Union collapsed they removed the fire control systems which were the most expensive part of the airplane to maintain.
They're still flying as a result of the 'Phased Depot Maintenance' or PDM done to them. Every few years (I forget how many) they are partially torn apart and, among other things, any cracked or corrosive structural parts are replaced.
Apr 21, 2016 17:31:44 #
jerryc41 wrote:
There have been a few posts here about the amazing B-52. here's another. What amazes me about this plane, aside from its age, is the fact that it has eight jet engines.
http://www.wired.com/2016/04/gods-green-earth-b-52-still-service/
http://www.wired.com/2016/04/gods-green-earth-b-52-still-service/
One thing to remember is jet engine technology wasn't nearly then what it is now. I served at a SAC base when I was in the air force and the Buff is an excellent airplane through all its upgrades and everything - that's why it's still in service.
One of its major problems though was it couldn't get off the ground fully loaded - bombs and fuel. So it took off with about 1/2 fuel load and was topped off once airborne.
That, the pilots used to say, was its only major problem.
I also worked for Boeing in Renton, Washington for a time and I can tell you, Boeing builds the best out there.
Apr 21, 2016 19:35:15 #
Grew up next to Robins AFB, that was big time entertainment, going down to the end of the runway, and watching the 52's take off. Had to have a four wheel drive, or dirtbike, to get back there, left a lot of the people out.
Apr 24, 2016 20:10:51 #
burkphoto wrote:
And I thought the B-52s were a Georgia rock band!
Wow. Seems like we'd have flying saucers by now.
Wow. Seems like we'd have flying saucers by now.
Look at the SR71 spy plane. That Darth Vader looking bird is late 50's technology.
I worked on the J79 engines in the F4 jets. The B52 has 8 of them.
Apr 25, 2016 17:49:16 #
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