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| Most post-World War II bombers evolved from military requirements issued in the early or mid-forties, but none were produced as initially envisioned. Geopolitical factors accounted for the programs; the military threat, varying in degrees of intensity through the years, never ceased to exist. While these factors justified the development of new weapons, technology dictated their eventual configurations. Strategic concepts fell in between, influenced by circumstances as well as the state-of-the-art. Thus the B-36, earmarked in 1941 as a long-range bomber, capable of bearing heavy loads of conventional bombs, matured as the first long-range atomic carrier. The impact of technology was far more spectacular in the case of the B-52, affecting the development of one of history's most successful weapon systems, and the concepts which spelled the long-lasting bomber's many forms of employment.
As called for in 1945, the B-52 was to have an operating radius of 4,340 nautical miles, a speed of 260 knots at altitude of 43,000 feet, and a bombload capacity of 10,000 pounds. Although jet propulsion had already been adopted for the smaller B-45 and B-47 then under development, the high fuel consumption associated with jet engines ruled against their use in long-range aircraft. But what was true in 1945, no longer applied several years later. After floundering through a series of changing requirements and revised studies, the B-52 project became active in 1948. Air Force officials decided that progress in the development of turbojets should make it possible to equip the new long-range bomber with such engines. The
decision, however, was not unanimous. Money was short, B-52 substitutes were proposed, and it took the deteriorating international situation caused by the Korean conflict to ensure production of the jet-powered B-52-the initial procurement contract being signed in February 1951.
While technological improvements received top priority when new weapons were designed, untried technology was a tricky business. Hovering over the B-52 weapon system was the specter of the B-47's initial deficiencies. As a result, the B-52 was designed, built, and developed as an integrated package. Components and parts were thoroughly tested before being installed in the new bomber. Changes were integrated on the production lines, giving birth to new models in the series, a fairly common occurrence. Yet, in contrast to the usual pattern, B-52 testing only suggested improvements, and at no time uncovered serious flaws in any of the aircraft. In fact, Maj. Gen. Albert Boyd, Commander of the Wright Air Development Center, and one of the Air Force's foremost test pilots, said that the B-52's first true production model was the finest airplane yet built.
Initially flown in December 1954, the B-52's performance was truly impressive. The new bomber could reach a speed of 546 knots, twice more than called for in 1945, and could carry a load of 43,000 pounds, an increase of about 30,000 pounds. Still, most of the early B-52s were phased out by 1970, due to Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara's mid-sixties decision to decrease the strategic bomber force. However, the later B-52G and H-models, and even some of the earlier B-52Ds, were expected to see unrestricted service into the 1980s.
By mid-1973, the B-52s had already compiled impressive records. Many of the aircraft had played important roles during the Vietnam War. Modified B-52Ds, referred to as Big Belly, dropped aerial mines in the North Vietnamese harbors and river inlets in May 1972. In December of the same year, B-52Ds and B-52Gs began to bomb military targets in the Hanoi and Haiphong areas of North Vietnam, where they encountered the most awesome defenses. Although the B-52s were often used for purposes they had not been intended to fulfill, after decades of hard work they remained one of the Strategic Air Command's best assets.
| CREW | 6 |
| ENGINE | 8 x turbo-jet P+W TF-33-P-3, 75.7kN |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 221350-226000 kg | 487996 - 498247 lb |
| Empty weight | 111350 kg | 245486 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 56.4 m | 185 ft 0 in |
| Length | 47.6 m | 156 ft 2 in |
| Height | 12.4 m | 41 ft 8 in |
| Wing area | 371.6 m2 | 3999.87 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 1070 km/h | 665 mph |
| Cruise speed | 900 km/h | 559 mph |
| Ceiling | 18300 m | 60050 ft |
| Range w/max.fuel | 16000 km | 9942 miles |
| Range w/max payload | 11800 km | 7332 miles |
| ARMAMENT | 4 x 20mm machine-guns, 34000kg of bombs and missiles |
 | A three-view drawing (1000 x 592) |
| Mark H Benson, e-mail, 25.01.2011 22:05 Served with the 11th S.A.W, Altus AFB OKla circa 1964-1966. Crewed B52E /F models on Alert Duty. Served TDY in Guam circa 66-67 with Columbus /Mather AFB's during ARCLIGHT missions over S. / Vietnam. Just one hell of an airframe - Outstanding !!! reply | | Bill Morehouse, e-mail, 24.01.2011 21:16 Can recall laying on my bunk at Ton Son Nhut in 66 and
"feeling" the 52's do their job - couldn't see or hear them
but you could sure feel them. reply | | ROBERT P NEMETH, e-mail, 21.01.2011 04:01 MY FATHER WAS A TSGT. HE WAS A GUNNER B-52 AIRCRAFT.HE WAS WITH THE 60 BOMB SQ. HIS PLANE WENT DOWN 25 MILES SW OF ANDERSEN AFB GUAM ON DEC. 12,1974. HE WAS WITH THE 34TH BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON,17TH BOMBARDMENT STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE,OHIO,FROM 23 AUGUST 1971 TO 10 JUNE 1974. B-52 GUNNER 307TH STRATEGIC WING,U-TAPAO AIRFEILD THAILAND,ON 18 DEC 1972. I JUST WANTED TO SEE IF ANYBODY REMEMBERS THE ACCIDENT OR MAYBE NEW MY DAD....GOD BLESS THOSE WHO FIGHT FOR OUR FREEDOM.....SINCERELY ROBERT P. NEMETH reply | | Randy Jardine, e-mail, 21.01.2011 01:54 I was in Guam and Utapao in 1972 with the crew from Ellsworth. We flew with the first few missions North. Pretty exciting days. Good, reliable airplane. reply | |
| | Frank Bohm, e-mail, 19.01.2011 19:49 I was stationed at Westover AFB from 1966 - 1970 499th / 8th Airforce. The B52 is hands down the best source of keeping the piece ever in the US Airforce in my opinion. I was the crew chief on a number of the "Buffs" in my time in the US, Guam, Utapao Thailand,and Kadena AFB Okinawa. Good times without the war. reply | | Mike Deible, e-mail, 17.01.2011 15:00 I worked on the B52's D and G's 1970-1974 Guam 1972-1973 during Linebacker II 11 days of Christmas bombings and what history that made glad to have been part of it. Spent many hours on those great birds. Mike Deible reply | | Ray Childs, e-mail, 15.01.2011 16:57 Long live the "BLACK KNIGHTS OF THE MEKONG DELTA".
B52F 57-054 and 57-168 reply | | Jerry Walterreit, USAF Retired, e-mail, 04.01.2011 19:09 Great airplane..worked in the Aircraft Instrument field on the "G" at Loring AFB, Maine Jan. 1961 thru April 1963 and Westover AFB, Mass. April 1963 thru July 1966. I still remember the days and nights of working on the EPR and Fuel Quantity systems. Also spent many hours riding in the launch truck. It could get very exciting in between the card games!! Have many fond memories of the B-52. reply | | William E. ( Gene ) Brack, e-mail, 01.01.2011 20:32 Active Duty from 1956 to 1960. Most time stationed at Castle AFB. Served on "B" model 007. Flew into Kelly AFB for IRAN...the right wing gear hit hard and first while shootings touch & go landings...had to shut it down...checked for damaged...served on D & F models. In the 328th Bomb Sq. reply | | L.H. Jones, e-mail, 07.12.2010 16:16 Still going strong! Testing and improvements continue. In 2001 the B-52 completed it's "Aircraft Midlife Improvement" program. Amazing that after 50 years of service the "BUFF" went through a "midlife" improvement. More improvements are in the works for the workhorse of the Air Force! Gotta love the longevity of this well built beast! reply | | Rob Ball, e-mail, 07.12.2010 02:10 Flew as copilot in B-52 D's and F's and aircraft commander and instructor pilot in G's and H's. Best time of my life. I could tell you stories, but then I'd have to kill you! LOL. That planae could do more than anyone imagined. reply | | Tom Vanderhoof, e-mail, 02.12.2010 05:53 Was on Guam 66 with Ken Jenner, although we do not know each other. Ken was with 28th BW, Ellsworth AFB, SD. I was with the other half of the group with the 484th BW, Turner AFB, Ga. I was on the ground crew, refueled all aircraft that came & went for six months. We flew in on a KC-135, #444, from Turner, I jumped off and refueled it. It crashed later on "take-off" from Kadena. Ken is right the "BUFFS" flew 24 /7, D-Model, with the first camo paint job & "big-belly" conversion-went from 60 bombs to 108 & we used 1000 lb'ers, the history books don't say to much about that. I have a picture of myself sitting a "flat-bed" full of them. They called us "Black Barons", 4133rd BW-H (PROV). Ken Jenner if you read this you are only the third person I have met in 44 yrs. that was a "Black Baron", we were the first ones to go up into NV and bomb. Cheers!! to all "ARC Light" participants!! reply | | Angel M Zeda, e-mail, 29.11.2010 06:36 I spent 23 years as a Ground Radar Technician in 1CEG (SAC)
We controlled all B-52's Arc Light missions in Vietnam. I was at 1CEVG , Det.21 (Bien Hoa)call sign MACON.(66-68-69)
Those B-52's and their crews were awesome! Merry Xmas. to all of you. reply | | Jeff Thorpe, e-mail, 15.11.2010 21:26 Spent 2 1 /2 years closing Lincoln AFB (by,by B47)then on to Wurtsmith AFB,1966-67(back in SAC!,hubba,hubba!)with the "Buff's". Fastest year of my life. Saw a 52 do a power climb at an airshow and it almost stood on it's tail, I mean almost straight up. I ran back into operations and told "Ski" what I had seen and he said it was using "only" 80% power. What a plane! reply | |
| | Don Adams, e-mail, 11.11.2010 16:45 Clinton Sherman AFB 1966 to 1970. Two TDYs to Okinawa. Was privilaged to be on flying status and ride along on several arc light missions. SAC crews were perhaps the most professional people I have ever been aquainted with. The D models are still my favorite and my first one as a crew chief was 56-612 that is on static dispaly in California and will thankfully out live me. Love that aircraft to this day. She was one of the best. This is Veterans Day 2010 and my best wishes and thanks to all that have served and are serving. God Bless. reply | | Richard Deans, e-mail, 09.11.2010 00:15 I was a ground crew member at Wright-Patterson AFB in the early 70's. I enjoyed working on the bad boys. Never had the chance to get on flight status though. But had a lot of pride in being a part of what those big boys could do.Had the misfortune of getting my nose broke by the entry hatch when the crew had the AC on and failed to open a window in the cockpit. It blew back in my face when I tried to close it for the plane to depart. Left a memory for me. reply | | Bill Grubb, e-mail, 07.11.2010 18:07 I was at Loring AFB from 1955-1958. Started on B36 and crossed over to B52. I had a friend visiting Loring last year and yes it is in sad shape. Both planes were outstanding and hard to beleive B-52 still flying. reply | | Kenneth Warner, e-mail, 01.11.2010 05:33 Ater training at Castle AFB in California, I was sent PCS to the SAC 4130th Strat Wing Armament & Electronics squadron at Bergstrom AFB, Texas. It was redesignated the 340th Heavy Bombardment Wing in September 1962 in preparation for the phase-in of the B-52 bomber and KC-135 air refueling tanker. The early B-52 /KC135's were quite a fright in those days (1959-1961), especially inflight refueling. Love every minute, SAC was a super group. reply | | David F. Wallace, e-mail, 30.10.2010 02:51 Stationed at Barksdale A.F.B. 1961-1963 and ordered all parts for 52s. Had many ORI alerts, with Berlin crisis & Cuban U-2 alerts. These were just beautyfull to watch on take off & landings. reply | | Jim Cook, e-mail, 28.10.2010 06:47 I'm retired Air Force (26 years) and worked all three bombers; B-52, B-1 and B-2, as a Bomb /Nav, OAS technician. Cut my teeth on the B-52H at K.I. Sawyer from 1983 to 1987. The B-1 and B-2 were nice but my favorite is still the old work horse B-52, miss those days! Great Aircraft!
Seen a post on here from Bruce Beatty - I remember a Bruce Beatty at K.I. Sawyer. Hope all is well. reply |
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