I've been painting B52 bombers for 24 years . Still I feel a great sense of pride when I'm putting the Flag on the vertical. Only a few have the training to touch up the flight Deck . Maybe I'll be retiring within next 10 yrs . But these airframes will continue to protect our country for many many more years after I'm gone .
This is an excellent video. The remaining 76 operational B-52H's are 60 years old, We designed the B-52G/H in 1956 for high-altitude bombing. The emphasis in the structural design was minimum weight, to maximize range. But in 1961, at the height of the Cold War, we redesigned the structure to meet SAC's new, more severe usage and service life requirements. These notably included low level terrain avoidance training, often under extreme gust and maneuver conditions. The emphasis in structural design shifted to toughness and durability. The primary structural components are never replaced. The main reason for their longevity is that the usage has not been as severe as was projected. As Chief of Structures Technology at Boeing-Wichita at the time of the redesign. I am honored to say I chose the materials, the analysis methods, and the limiting stress levels for the redesign. I am now 95 and I am thrilled to see these planes still flying, and projected to do so for many more years.
As a former Soviet satelite state member, it never ceases to amaze me how much logistics, money and manpower Cold War has required from both sides. I really hope we never come to such a messy state of affairs. Civilisation was balancing on Razors Edge. Let's never repeat it for the sake of entire human race.
I grew up in Peru Indiana, not far from Grissom ARB. Back in the 70's it was a SAC controlled base, running several squadrons of aerial refueling tankers. But almost every aircraft in the inventory made stops there all the time. I used to stand on the fence line of the base with my bicycle and watch them take off and land all day. B52s, C5s, C141s, F111s, F4s, the list goes on. My mom threw me into the tub when I got home because I stank of jet fuel and covered with grit and dust. Then one day the greatest thing that ever happened to me happened. As I was standing there watching one day, I hear a truck coming down the country road that ran along the perimeter. Just assumed it was a farmer, they were everywhere around there. But then I heard the squeak of brakes and when I turned around, it was an Airforce Jeep with two MPs. One got out and walked up to me. I almost fainted. He dropped down to a knee and began talking to me. I thought I had done something wrong! But he told me that they have been watching me on the security cameras and his supervisor told him to stop and pick me up and take him (meaning me) around with me on his rounds. What? He walked my bike up to the jeep and threw it into the back. He then got into the back with it and pointed to the passenger seat. I remember my mouth was so dry I could not swallow. They took off and we drove the entire perimeter of the base, then they whisked right past the entrance guard shack and drove the flight line. The first plane I ever seen up close in person was the B52. There was like 6 of them in a row. Then we went to the MP command post and they gave me all kinds of swag. They all came up, roughed up my hair, talked to me like I was the base mascot. They showed me the monitors that they watched me everyday on and how everything worked. They gave me all kinds of swag. Stickers, patches, a lighter (yeah, a Zippo lighter to an 8 year old kid) with the Airforce logo and then took me back to the fence where they picked me up. I went home like I had just woke up from a dream. I am 54 years old now, every time I see a B52, I think of that time. Things like that just cannot happen today. But back then it was a different world.
I was stationed at Anderson AFB, Guam 1972 for LINEBACKER 1 and the base had 150 B-52s . Although rarely mentioned it lasted from early 1972 till November 72. We were launching 3 B-52s at the top of the hour and recovering 3 at the bottom of the hour 24 hours a day 7 days a week . Seen a lot of buffs come home with gaping holes from SAM hits. Loved SAC, 8th AF. I later retrained into working on Titan ll ICBM Missiles.
My father-in-law was also stationed in Guam and flew Linebacker 1 and 2 missions. Totally over 5000 hrs on B-52´s. He received his Distinguished Flying Cross for saving the 52 over Hanoi. In between he flew on B58´s until they got scraped. He passed 2 years ago and I have all his documents and photos from that time which a dearly cherish.
Kind of funny when you think about it the B-52 bomber is the last aircraft signed off and approved by the US Army air Corps that is still flying on Active duty and technically older than the Air Force itself original design and approval was created before the US Air Force was created
A friend of mine had a nuke artillery shell he could fire he would fire it off just to see how big a bang it would make he used to get a pocket full of primers and throw them up in the air on the forth of July he was accurate when it came to putting steel on target he was dead on.
I was a Bomb/Nav tech on B-52s in the early 70s. In-flight maintenance required us tech guys to sit on the toilet in the lower deck. Turbulence caused the six crew members to miss frequently. The smell could be horrendous. Plus there are no windows in the lower deck. So long missions meant sitting in a dark, foul-smelling cramped space for many hours waiting for something to break. I loved it!
I was aboard a couple of guided missile destroyers during the Vietnam War. When we were on the gunline, we had to cease fire when the B-52's were dropping their bombs in the area. The warships would operate on the gunline around 7 miles off the coast. The ship would rock back and forth for several minutes starting a few minutes after the bombs started exploding. Plus how many miles inland did the B-52's drop their bombs. They were like mini-earthquakes. B-52's rock!
I was aboard a Navy ship stationed just outside Haiphong Harbor in December 1973 during Operation Linebacker II. And my job was to track and communicate with, along with several others, the flights of 120+ B-52's flying together overhead into their targets around Hanoi and Haiphong. It was a sight and experience never to be forgotten.
I bet. Monitoring the B-52 cell from Andersen AFB on Guam during Linebacker II--that must have been one of those 'you had to be there to understand' experiences, no doubt. May I inquire as to the naval vessel on which you were serving?
I remember my tech school training as an offensive avionics technician for the B-52. Instructors said that the "Buff" had virtually no glide characteristics. Shut down its 8 engines, and the plane would fall like a rock. That is to say: a plane is only as good as the personnel supporting it. The success and longevity of the B-52 is a testament to the thousands of Airmen charged with keeping it airworthy. Transcending that, there are the fighters who escort these planes safely throughout their missions. The B-52 is more than a plane; it is the U.S. Air Force.
The B-52 should have excellent engine-out glide characteristics. It has a higher aspect ratio (length to width) wing that the 747, which has a glide slope of 15.5. So at 40-000 ft altitude a B-52 would glide about 120 miles.
I was jet engine tech from 1961 until 1969 on the B 52 D .This aircraft was used during this time. Flying out of Guam and later out of Utapao Thailand. I was stationed at both bases. I also maintained the KC 135 tanker.
I used to live just north of Pine Castle AFB in Orlando during the 50s and 60s. The enormous roar of the engines blanked out the tv 📺 as they flew over our trailer park while the smoke barely cleared up before the next B52 followed. An awesome sight and sound!! It is why I am an aviation enthusiast today at age 69.
LOL, yeah, living so close to the runway at Pease SAC, every time a B52 took off we'd just pause any conversation or TV show (well, missing it 'cause we couldn't pause back then) till the noise abated.
Hail to an American iconic legend, the B-52 Stratofortress!! The very fact that it's an airplane, to this day, that kept America on it's feet. Nothing even close to it on paper, or otherwise, was as stable enough, and amazing as this very airplane. It was loved by every pilot that ever flew it. That's the main reason the B-52 lasted for so long to this day, with many retrofits that came about it. It was revered for pilot training. It fought battles as a strategic bomber, used as a platform, testbed, or research program vehicle, etc. It always impressed just about anyone. When something comes out right, out of the drawing board and when the Military needed it most, it shows that even the most influential, higher-end officials, would give it a thumbs up. Excellent video, thank you!!!!
I was a crew chief on the H model in the early 90s and was shocked at how reliable the Buff was. For its age and what it was being used for. It had a better FMC rating than the B1. You learned real quick to fall in love with the old gal. Sure she could make you bleed,cuss, and cry. Yet to see her break ground to fly off to her mission rally make it all worth it. She is something the AF will never recreate as she’s a once in a lifetime creation. You’re looking at 60 years for the H model right now and just now they are going to put new RR engines on her to extend her life some more. You gotta tip your hat to Boeing as they know how to make a bomber. The 135 seemed to receive the same magic from them. I miss crewing them as it was the most fun I ever had. May they fly on after I depart this earth.
I love the B-52's! B.U.F.F. was a way of life living as a child in Shreveport, LA. My Dad patched up the B-52's as they came into Barksdale AirForce Base (S.A.C. BASE) from the Vietnam War. They came in damaged and the BIG HANGER held 4 B-52s with the tail sections sticking out. I still look up when I hear the 52s pouring the coals, in takeoffs. 8 engines with trailing BLACK SOOT! My Dad 67 Mercury Comet (WHITE) was covered with the BLACK SOOT that settled while he at work. Weekends was CAR WASHING time.
Yea a pointless sacrifice if you ask me. And a huge tax burden. If russians really were serious they would have just intercepted the bombers first since they kept flying the same route every day.
I was a Crew Chief on the B-52 F from 1973 to 1976. I use to be on flying status and remember the long flights. I especially remember coming back from a long mission and the pilot let me fly the bomber. I noticed that we were on a slight right turn by looking at the the HSI instrument so i straightened the aircraft by leveling the wings and then the co-pilot asked me what was I doing. I thought we were supposed be flying straight and level it turned out we were actually in a slight right turn and the co pilot quickly put us back on course. I also remember aerial refueling twice on one of our missions. I used the box that the sextant came in on and used it as a seat as I sat between and behind the pilot and co pilot and watched the boom operator of the KC135 fly the boom from in front of the windshield and into the IFR receptackle . It was an experience to see us flying so close to another aircraft and watch how cool the flight crew was during the whole operation. I salute the flight crews who still fly the B-52 's and I am proud to have served in the United States Airforce.
The B-52 Stratofortress is such an iconic piece of aviation history! It's amazing to think about how this long-range, subsonic jet aircraft has been an integral part of the USA's strategic bombing capabilities for decades. Its endurance and versatility in various types of missions are truly a testament to the incredible engineering and design that went into it. The fact that it remains in service and on high alert even now speaks volumes about its reliability and effectiveness. It's always fascinating to learn about these marvels of aviation technology and their enduring legacy in the field of aerospace! 🛫✨
Thanks to everyone who has participated in the flying of this awesome aircraft! This makes me so proud to be an American! You guys are just amazing! My grandfather's served in WW2. And to have gentlemen like you fly to protect our great country means so much to me it brings a tear to my eye! Our service members are the best in the world! You guys are just the best, and you do it for the correct reasons! Thank you!
It is so awesome to hear the stories of our brothers that flew to keep us all safe back then. How lucky we all are to have such brave and willing american family
I’m very impressed with video for many reasons. First, it’s very well done! 2. It demonstrates what the B52 G or H can do to an enemy! 3. It also demonstrates what talents we have in the U.S. has to design an aircraft to protect our country! I’d also, like to mention that I served our country in the USAF 1979-1983 working on that aircraft as a maintenance crew chief!! I proudly served and was honored to work on that bird!!
I worked on these old beasts during Operation Linebacker ll at U Tapao Royal Thai Navy Air Base. That was 50 years ago and I've heard that with constant updates they could be in service for 100 years! On the flight line whichever aircraft they were assigned to was THEIR airplane. Respects to you, Kevin.
Last assigned large base in early 70's had SAC wing. The late night and pre-dawn morning alerts and training exercises were telling when you could "feel" the KC-135's take off first and later the 52's. As someone once said,"you hear that ? It's the sound of freedom !!"
My Favorite Air Force Machine. My Father was involved w/Air Force. Got a Purple-Heart from Iwo-! Proud of him. A good Man ! All WW2 Vets deserve the best.
I worked on the G model in the USAF back in the 80s. FYI, the LAST B-52 built (an H model) was built in June of 1962. The Air Force got their money's worth with these being on the rolls for well over 60 years now! They do hope to use the H models remaining for at least another 20 - 30 (!!) years.
Bob Withington, George Schairer, Ed Wells - all names in the Boeing history book. As a young engineer I was fortunate to have interactions with Mr. Schairer during the re-engining of the KC-135 prototype. We were studying the flow mechanics of the nacelle fence (or chine) and how it affected wing stall. Five years later Mr. Withington got Boeing into the high altitude recon business with the Dark Star project (well, it's forerunner). Later in my career Bob's son worked for me. What I remember about them is they listened. My age did not matter (being a young 'punk'). And, they acted quickly and decisively. As testament to their ability and vision, the B-52 is still in service - 60 years after the last one rolled off the Wichita production line.
@@rael5469 Not sure what you mean by, “I used to work them.” Also, what specifically makes the aircraft ‘garbage’? Also, the aircraft has been augmented in inventory by the B-1 and B-2. I think your post is a tad suspicious.
My father started out with fire control on B47s then the B52 until 1974 ,he retired , he loved the 52 , it's a amazing aircraft, and a tuff old bird , can't remember witch bombing mission it was in Vietnam, a BUFF took a lick from a SAM and took the blow on a G model where the gunner sit and made it back home .( TUFF )🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 PS all of these men are a special breed of men,
25:16 - The face he makes when he says that. His face literally said out loud "I've seen its destruction before!!". Its like when he said it he relived some of those feelings from back then. If his face had a hand it would have open hand smacked the person he said it to. Thats how serious his face was. Powerful stuff
I grew up about 1/4 of a mile from the runway at Pease SAC AFB (Portsmouth, NH) and LOVED watching these planes & the little fighter jets take off and land, esp at dusk.
People call the B52 a dinosaur - It is more like an Alligator - Sure it’s a dinosaur, but it will outlive humanity because it is hard to kill, strong as a bull, and has a hell of a bite.
Well said from AF brat who loves these planes. Grew up around planes and missiles, flight lines and missile launches. The crews are amazing and I was in awe. My Dad was always on call 24/7 and bag always packed to go. God bless our military and USAF! 🇺🇲🗽🇺🇲💕
I was a gunner on B52 G’s and H’s. I was there the day the Cold War ended at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth Texas. I’ve got about 1000 hours on the old buff. I went on to become a flight engineer on a C141 at McChord AFB in Washington. I love this old airplane. It stunk, it was cold, but it was steady and it was exciting. I cannot believe it’s still flying today. But old JAGUAR misses the BUFF. I’d like to give a shout out to Big Dawg, John, Barney and Eric along with Don and so many others. Fly fight and win baby Ooooorrrrraaaahhhhhh
THe B-52 is really huge when you come up close to one. In fact I've seen a B-52 Stratofortress at the March Air FOrce Museum. It is one of my favorite bombers.
I was born in 1959. Almost '58, twelve days earlier it would have been, that airframe began construction in '49 started active duty in '52. I'm 64 this coming January. The Buff is ten years older than me. Amazing, I know this stalwart is still going to be used in the near future. Here's your at a boy!
I live in Bossier City, Louisiana close to Barksdale AFB and I see these planes almost every day! They’re huge & loud but it’s really cool seeing them flying over the city!
B36, six turning four burning. Also the first "Broken Arrow". I have a pic with Grandpa with the B36 in the background in the sandbox, mid 1950's, . Captain Harold Barry ditched his crew over the Pacific, and then flew to Terrace British Columbia where he knew that vast snowfields would allow him to safely land in the soft and deep snow near Mount Kolget. I lived and worked in Terrace BC for a year and as an avid skier can attest to the deep and soft snow conditions there.
The stories at the end are the perfect ending to this. The one with the “Full Moon” really gives me feelings I can’t describe. I cannot even imagine that feeling.
OK pilots tell us about going up or down like in a elevator. When a fighter is on your tail. I think if I remember correctly 5 to 10 seconds . Ex crew chief 47 52 kc135 great duty for my 20 years
Hmm, I never once thought of the B-52 as ugly, just right, somehow. Big Brother up in the air. Never saw a Warthog, just videos. The Blackbird was crazypants, leaking fuel all over the runway when cooled down finally. B-52 wasn't like either of those, it wasn't nasty durable or fast, just Global superiority. "We have the BUFF. You don't. Sucks to be you.". All nifty planes though. I hope we are never in fear of enemy planes.
Imagine driving a big 18 wheeler through a neighborhood and back it up. Thats what it feels like to fly a B-52. Fuck, I do that everyday. Where do I get the keys to my B-52!
I've always loved this plane, the payload it can deliver anywhere on the planet makes it a special piece of our military airpower, not just the plane itself but the people who fly and maintain the plane are top notch with the best training in the world.🙏🇺🇸🌎
There's nothing special about this plane. It was easily countered with a single surface to air missile. So basically, it can only be used against goat herders. If it can survive the skies of Russia, then it is special.
Nothing wakes up a battlefield more than a B-52, you don't hear them but you find out they are there when your whole world around you is gone and then it's too late anyway.
My 1st base was Andersen AFB on Guam. As an SP, we worked the alert pad. We knew when CSC came on the radio, klaxson, klaxson, klaxson..... all post and patrol prepare for crew response. Then at Dyess AFB, same thing for the B1 except the crews were in the area.
I thank you all for your time and commitment. I was able to thrive and enjoy childhood from your sacrifice of time from your family and life. I really appreciate you all.
I was in Utapao, Thailand December 1971. I watched them take off and land. Seemed like every twenty minutes two would take off and two would land. I was impressed.
I lived in Haughton, LA (next to Bossier City and Barksdale) from 1976-78. I was privileged to observe the B-52 innumerable times (and the British Vulcan from time to time). Also my family was given a fantastic personally guided tour by an AF Tech Sargent. We weren't allowed to touch the B-52s, but we allowed to come within a few feet of them. Amazingly the Confederate Airforce B-17 had recently been transferred to the real AF and was parked at Barksdale. We were allowed to enter the B-17 and pass through the entire length from cockpit to tail gunner. My grocery store boss during highschool was a B-17 tailgunner during WW2. It was good to see the cramp B-17 tailgunner position which he occupied during WW2. He spent a lot of WW2 in a POW camp where a grew a hatred of potatoes, because that was about all the POWs were given to eat. The Boomers were raised by the Greatest Generation. Too bad that we Boomers were spoiled and never acquired the superb character of their parents who experienced the Great Depression and WW2.
Engineering that crosswind crab landing system with analog electronics is just insane. The whole aircraft was/is an engineering marvel. Still going strong 70+ years later, and will continue to serve for at least another decade. 🇺🇸
I grew up 15 miles away from a USAF SAC BASE in Upstate NY in the sixties . It was also home to a Squadron of F-106 Delta Darts . Needles to say it was fascinating to see these planes flying every day .
Thank you guys and ladies for all you have done for freedom, for a few of us understands that Freedom is Not Free. God Bless our Veterans and God Bless the U.S.A.
Great documentary and video history of the B-52. However I wish it would have documented more of the stresses and vigilance of the plane maintainers. The around the clock missions involved 4-5 times the number of support personal on the ground than the number of aircrew. Truly a remarkable logistical operation. 24 hours a day 365 days a year of zero fail mission readiness of the greatest national importance.
The longevity of this plane engineering is amazing. Without this plane, we would need to use nukes. This plane has been a deterrent in saving countless lives and preventing the need for nukes.
Thank you to all of you who kept gard over the the United States of America lot of people have no idea what you all did for us while we went about are every day lives I knew a long time ago about this project and I am glad that the buff is still in the air supporting the United States of America again Thank you all
"The mere sight of a B52, means we're here to stay, we're watching, and we aren't going to abandon you..., " Colonel Tony Imondi USAF. Well that aged well.
I had the same problem air refueling a B-52. It looked SO EASY! BUT.......when I actually TRIED IT....It WASN'T. The other thing that was difficult about the B-52 is landing it in a high cross wind. One has to crab the aircraft into the wind unlike on a normal aircraft where one lands with a wing low in the direction of the wind. That means you have to land the monster looking out of a side window. WEIRD! Before I flew the B-52 I flew another aircraft in Vietnam. On one mission we flew right through a B-52 bomb drop. I'm probably one of the few USAF pilots that can say I was on both of the "business ends" of the B-52.
@@robertlucyksr667 Believe me...I didn't do it for fun! At the time I was flying with a Vietnamese crew. The bomber control radio would announce the strike over the guard channel and give us only 10 minutes to clear an area before a B-52 strike. That was done because, prior to that time, targeting information was being relayed to North Vietnamese regiments in the field by spies and that gave them time to take cover. The bomber control organization would specify coded coordinates for the target. We were SUPPOSED to react to those messages and leave the area. Unfortunately, the Vietnamese navigator on that flight did not have a good command of English and either miss understood the message or failed to react. There was an aircraft from our squadron, following us a few miles behind, and saw the whole thing. The pilot called and told me: "I thought you were dead!". Obviously I wasn't...and, of course, they missed! Luck of the Irish...I guess.
@@giggleherz I did at least one of those crazy landings, looking out of a side window. I thought: "What the HELL do I do now??!!! How do I flare this damn thing with it's nose pointing away from the runway?"
I'm only 62 and I've never been inside a B-52 but I know they are the strongest airplane the world has ever known,.! And the people who are dogging out bowing these days when things go wrong, need to realize those airplanes saved our entire country 🇺🇲
I was in Thailand from 1971-1972 and was part of the operation linebackers 2 i loaded bombs on the B52 I am the one in the thumb nail arming 500 lb bombs.
I was not a flight crew member, but an aircraft maintenance person during the Cuban missile crisis. We spent the first five days of that ordeal living right with the flight crew assigned to our plane. Later after things got a little more organized, we were given separate living facilities, but would go out to the plane each day to check out everything. This went on the whole time the blockade on Cuba was happening. We never knew if or when the word would come to launch our aircraft and I am talking every B-52 on that base. They were all loaded for bear and ready to go
That is my favorite modern plane. I was 2 years old when the A's rolled off the line. It's been with us since the 50s and will likely be with us till the 2030's. If not longer. That and the C130s have served us well. Odd capability of the 52 is it doesn't have to be straight with the runway when landing and taking off so it can take off and land in a crosswind. Miss seeing them since the shut down Carswell AFB remember an airshow there and could see the bunkers where the nasty bombs were kept. Guarded by on guard a big fence and some geese. No kidding Geese.
I used to live near March AFB, and have seen them landing in a crosswind. It's an incredible sight; it looked like it was in real trouble, but still a smooth landing! 😎
They were the up and coming thing when I was young. They've been upgraded many times but since an Enemy has seen what they can do, It strikes fear in anyone that has been flown low over faster than the speed of sound. It's like a lightning strike just over your head. BOOM and the air shakes. It's so fast,by the time you hear and duck, it's already gone over the horizon..then, they have 5 tons of bombs too.
This beauty represents how good American designers are, how good Boeing is at making aircraft, and how good the American Military is at maintaining them and using them effectively. Its insane that this bomber was introduced just a little over a decade after World War II. Today, over 6.5 decades later, the same exact bomber is the still the 2nd best bomber on the planet.
To put the B-52's longevity into context if the B-52 fleet had entered service as a direct replacement for the Wright Flyer when its production run finished it would still have been in service now longer than the Wright Flyer if it had been flying into the 60s................
Some people think nuclear and even conventional heavy bombers are obsolete but what subs and missiles don't have that bombers do is the psychological fear factor that bombers do. They are very powerful psychological weapons; you can't see subs nor know their locations and missiles in a stationary hole just don't have the same fear factor affect that bombers do.
I've been absolutely in love with this plane. I studied aerospace at SJSU. Three most important things are weight weight and weight. The weight this plane can carry is staggering. When it drops it's payload ( bombs) omg, dropping complete destruction from far far above
The term I remember was buff being a Strategic Air Command security policeman/ security specialist, they had other plans considering stationed at Sac headquarters, they had deployment sites/ relocation in place
In the 1950s I liked watching B52 s taking off at Içerlick AFB. What amazed me was the wing tips took off and you could see the wings pull fuselage into the air. It worked every time, although it didn't seem like it should. Then there was the landing on the crazy but wonderful landing gear which allowed the B52 to point a different way than the runway.
Absolutely amazed that the US designs an aircraft that has lasted to be in service and a real threat for 70 years. Current B-52s are at least 60 yrs. old.
I've been painting B52 bombers for 24 years . Still I feel a great sense of pride when I'm putting the Flag on the vertical. Only a few have the training to touch up the flight Deck .
Maybe I'll be retiring within next 10 yrs . But these airframes will continue to protect our country for many many more years after I'm gone .
Wow,it must be amazing to see them up close! :D
Proud to say that my father flew B-52s from 1958 to 1965 during the cold war and was a veteran of Chrome Dome. He flew West in 2004.
I can't wait to talk to your Dad when I go West. I had an econ. Professor who flew in line backer. His plan is in front of Orlando airport.
This is an excellent video. The remaining 76 operational B-52H's are 60 years old, We designed the B-52G/H in 1956 for high-altitude bombing. The emphasis in the structural design was minimum weight, to maximize range. But in 1961, at the height of the Cold War, we redesigned the structure to meet SAC's new, more severe usage and service life requirements. These notably included low level terrain avoidance training, often under extreme gust and maneuver conditions. The emphasis in structural design shifted to toughness and durability. The primary structural components are never replaced. The main reason for their longevity is that the usage has not been as severe as was projected. As Chief of Structures Technology at Boeing-Wichita at the time of the redesign. I am honored to say I chose the materials, the analysis methods, and the limiting stress levels for the redesign. I am now 95 and I am thrilled to see these planes still flying, and projected to do so for many more years.
No kudos for you since you contributed to the design of a machine designed to kill and devastate other humans in great numbers.
Sorry but I thought they were lovingly called a BUMF? Correct me if I'm wrong.
@@pointingdog7235 your recollection is incorrect, it is indeed the BUFF (Big Ugly Fat F***er) not BUMF.
@@nivramsleumas7411 haha! What a gracious gem you are.
Cry us a river.😥😥
You're 95 years old and are using a device to access RUclips. You're amazing. Thank you for your service.
As a former Soviet satelite state member, it never ceases to amaze me how much logistics, money and manpower Cold War has required from both sides. I really hope we never come to such a messy state of affairs. Civilisation was balancing on Razors Edge. Let's never repeat it for the sake of entire human race.
Hear Hear!!!
Tell that to Putin & Xi
@@theccpisaparasite8813 As if the US is any better.
this comment is Aging well ...LOL
@@NoNo-ce8xbwe are nowhere the same state of affairs as OP referred to.
I am now 95 and I am thrilled to see these planes still flying, and projected to do so for many more years.
👍🇺🇸 Great planes!
You stole this line from my top comment. Are you in fact 95, as am I?
This comment is strangely familiar....in a not positive way.
I grew up in Peru Indiana, not far from Grissom ARB. Back in the 70's it was a SAC controlled base, running several squadrons of aerial refueling tankers. But almost every aircraft in the inventory made stops there all the time. I used to stand on the fence line of the base with my bicycle and watch them take off and land all day. B52s, C5s, C141s, F111s, F4s, the list goes on. My mom threw me into the tub when I got home because I stank of jet fuel and covered with grit and dust. Then one day the greatest thing that ever happened to me happened. As I was standing there watching one day, I hear a truck coming down the country road that ran along the perimeter. Just assumed it was a farmer, they were everywhere around there. But then I heard the squeak of brakes and when I turned around, it was an Airforce Jeep with two MPs. One got out and walked up to me. I almost fainted. He dropped down to a knee and began talking to me. I thought I had done something wrong! But he told me that they have been watching me on the security cameras and his supervisor told him to stop and pick me up and take him (meaning me) around with me on his rounds. What? He walked my bike up to the jeep and threw it into the back. He then got into the back with it and pointed to the passenger seat. I remember my mouth was so dry I could not swallow. They took off and we drove the entire perimeter of the base, then they whisked right past the entrance guard shack and drove the flight line. The first plane I ever seen up close in person was the B52. There was like 6 of them in a row. Then we went to the MP command post and they gave me all kinds of swag. They all came up, roughed up my hair, talked to me like I was the base mascot. They showed me the monitors that they watched me everyday on and how everything worked. They gave me all kinds of swag. Stickers, patches, a lighter (yeah, a Zippo lighter to an 8 year old kid) with the Airforce logo and then took me back to the fence where they picked me up. I went home like I had just woke up from a dream. I am 54 years old now, every time I see a B52, I think of that time. Things like that just cannot happen today. But back then it was a different world.
😮👍 wow!
Absolutely awesome!!
😲 Wow! That's just incredible!!!
Probably the coolest story I’ve ever read on RUclips
I was stationed at Anderson AFB, Guam 1972 for LINEBACKER 1 and the base had 150 B-52s . Although rarely mentioned it lasted from early 1972 till November 72. We were launching 3 B-52s at the top of the hour and recovering 3 at the bottom of the hour 24 hours a day 7 days a week . Seen a lot of buffs come home with gaping holes from SAM hits. Loved SAC, 8th AF. I later retrained into working on Titan ll ICBM Missiles.
Wow those memories are priceless. Thank you for your service.
My brother just missed that. Probably would have interfered with his fishing. But my other brother was in Vietnam so he wouldn't have minded.
My father-in-law was also stationed in Guam and flew Linebacker 1 and 2 missions. Totally over 5000 hrs on B-52´s. He received his Distinguished Flying Cross for saving the 52 over Hanoi. In between he flew on B58´s until they got scraped. He passed 2 years ago and I have all his documents and photos from that time which a dearly cherish.
Kind of funny when you think about it the B-52 bomber is the last aircraft signed off and approved by the US Army air Corps that is still flying on Active duty and technically older than the Air Force itself original design and approval was created before the US Air Force was created
The U-2 as well.
A friend of mine had a nuke artillery shell he could fire he would fire it off just to see how big a bang it would make he used to get a pocket full of primers and throw them up in the air on the forth of July he was accurate when it came to putting steel on target he was dead on.
heck they are older than any of their pilots.
Didn't know that. Pretty interesting. Thanks for the info.
@@theccpisaparasite8813 If they retire when the Air Force currently plans, the oldest B-52 will be almost a century old.
I was a Bomb/Nav tech on B-52s in the early 70s. In-flight maintenance required us tech guys to sit on the toilet in the lower deck. Turbulence caused the six crew members to miss frequently. The smell could be horrendous. Plus there are no windows in the lower deck. So long missions meant sitting in a dark, foul-smelling cramped space for many hours waiting for something to break. I loved it!
Sounds like a diahrrea poopie plane
I was aboard a couple of guided missile destroyers during the Vietnam War. When we were on the gunline, we had to cease fire when the B-52's were dropping their bombs in the area. The warships would operate on the gunline around 7 miles off the coast. The ship would rock back and forth for several minutes starting a few minutes after the bombs started exploding. Plus how many miles inland did the B-52's drop their bombs. They were like mini-earthquakes. B-52's rock!
I was aboard a Navy ship stationed just outside Haiphong Harbor in December 1973 during Operation Linebacker II. And my job was to track and communicate with, along with several others, the flights of 120+ B-52's flying together overhead into their targets around Hanoi and Haiphong. It was a sight and experience never to be forgotten.
I bet. Monitoring the B-52 cell from Andersen AFB on Guam during Linebacker II--that must have been one of those 'you had to be there to understand' experiences, no doubt. May I inquire as to the naval vessel on which you were serving?
Wow! I didn't know we had a ship that "close to the action". Too bad you didn't have a camera. That film would have been "one for the history books"!
Did you enjoy hearing them get shot down?
I remember my tech school training as an offensive avionics technician for the B-52. Instructors said that the "Buff" had virtually no glide characteristics. Shut down its 8 engines, and the plane would fall like a rock. That is to say: a plane is only as good as the personnel supporting it. The success and longevity of the B-52 is a testament to the thousands of Airmen charged with keeping it airworthy. Transcending that, there are the fighters who escort these planes safely throughout their missions. The B-52 is more than a plane; it is the U.S. Air Force.
Love this information!!!
That's why it has 8 engines. Two or three might be taken out during combat, but all 8 engines failing is almost impossible.
@@apollomoonlandings 67 years is not nearly a century
@@curtisbacon7856 I'm 64yrs old. It feels pretty damn close to a century. 😁
The B-52 should have excellent engine-out glide characteristics. It has a higher aspect ratio (length to width) wing that the 747, which has a glide slope of 15.5. So at 40-000 ft altitude a B-52 would glide about 120 miles.
I was jet engine tech from 1961 until 1969 on the B 52 D .This aircraft was used during this time. Flying out of Guam and later out of Utapao Thailand. I was stationed at both bases. I also maintained the KC 135 tanker.
It never ceases to amaze me how ungainly the B-52 looks on the ground and yet how sleek it looks in the air.
i noticed that as well, on take off, once it is going fast enough, it just wants to fly.
7:51 watch close as it takes off. see how it just lept into the air. it just wanted to get into the air.
I used to live just north of Pine Castle AFB in Orlando during the 50s and 60s. The enormous roar of the engines blanked out the tv 📺 as they flew over our trailer park while the smoke barely cleared up before the next B52 followed. An awesome sight and sound!! It is why I am an aviation enthusiast today at age 69.
LOL, yeah, living so close to the runway at Pease SAC, every time a B52 took off we'd just pause any conversation or TV show (well, missing it 'cause we couldn't pause back then) till the noise abated.
Hail to an American iconic legend, the B-52 Stratofortress!! The very fact that it's an airplane, to this day, that kept America on it's feet. Nothing even close to it on paper, or otherwise, was as stable enough, and amazing as this very airplane. It was loved by every pilot that ever flew it. That's the main reason the B-52 lasted for so long to this day, with many retrofits that came about it. It was revered for pilot training. It fought battles as a strategic bomber, used as a platform, testbed, or research program vehicle, etc. It always impressed just about anyone. When something comes out right, out of the drawing board and when the Military needed it most, it shows that even the most influential, higher-end officials, would give it a thumbs up. Excellent video, thank you!!!!
I was a crew chief on the H model in the early 90s and was shocked at how reliable the Buff was. For its age and what it was being used for. It had a better FMC rating than the B1. You learned real quick to fall in love with the old gal. Sure she could make you bleed,cuss, and cry. Yet to see her break ground to fly off to her mission rally make it all worth it. She is something the AF will never recreate as she’s a once in a lifetime creation. You’re looking at 60 years for the H model right now and just now they are going to put new RR engines on her to extend her life some more. You gotta tip your hat to Boeing as they know how to make a bomber. The 135 seemed to receive the same magic from them. I miss crewing them as it was the most fun I ever had. May they fly on after I depart this earth.
I love the B-52's!
B.U.F.F. was a way of life living as a child in Shreveport, LA.
My Dad patched up the B-52's as they came into Barksdale AirForce Base (S.A.C. BASE) from the Vietnam War.
They came in damaged and the BIG HANGER held 4 B-52s with the tail sections sticking out.
I still look up when I hear the 52s pouring the coals, in takeoffs.
8 engines with trailing BLACK SOOT!
My Dad 67 Mercury Comet (WHITE) was covered with the BLACK SOOT that settled while he at work.
Weekends was CAR WASHING time.
Thanx to all the servicemen that endured these long lonely missions. Thank yo so much for protecting my family.
Yea a pointless sacrifice if you ask me. And a huge tax burden. If russians really were serious they would have just intercepted the bombers first since they kept flying the same route every day.
I was a Crew Chief on the B-52 F from 1973 to 1976. I use to be on flying status and remember the long flights. I especially remember coming back from a long mission and the pilot let me fly the bomber. I noticed that we were on a slight right turn by looking at the the HSI instrument so i straightened the aircraft by leveling the wings and then the co-pilot asked me what was I doing. I thought we were supposed be flying straight and level it turned out we were actually in a slight right turn and the co pilot quickly put us back on course. I also remember aerial refueling twice on one of our missions. I used the box that the sextant came in on and used it as a seat as I sat between and behind the pilot and co pilot and watched the boom operator of the KC135 fly the boom from in front of the windshield and into the IFR receptackle . It was an experience to see us flying so close to another aircraft and watch how cool the flight crew was during the whole operation. I salute the flight crews who still fly the B-52 's and I am proud to have served in the United States Airforce.
Thank you for your service±
The B-52 Stratofortress is such an iconic piece of aviation history! It's amazing to think about how this long-range, subsonic jet aircraft has been an integral part of the USA's strategic bombing capabilities for decades. Its endurance and versatility in various types of missions are truly a testament to the incredible engineering and design that went into it. The fact that it remains in service and on high alert even now speaks volumes about its reliability and effectiveness. It's always fascinating to learn about these marvels of aviation technology and their enduring legacy in the field of aerospace! 🛫✨
Thanks to everyone who has participated in the flying of this awesome aircraft! This makes me so proud to be an American! You guys are just amazing! My grandfather's served in WW2. And to have gentlemen like you fly to protect our great country means so much to me it brings a tear to my eye! Our service members are the best in the world! You guys are just the best, and you do it for the correct reasons! Thank you!
You ain't never seen a Lysander then?
As a veteran I would just like to say from all of us. You can take this disingenuous crap and shove it you know where. Dismissed.
AMEN🤔💯✊🏿🙏🏿🇺🇸🌎😇😌#1🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿😌😌😌😌🤔🤔🤔💯💯!!!!
I worked the B52 the last ten years of my Air Force career. that Aircraft is amazing It's performance and reliability
It is so awesome to hear the stories of our brothers that flew to keep us all safe back then. How lucky we all are to have such brave and willing american family
Yes!!
I’m very impressed with video for many reasons. First, it’s very well done! 2. It demonstrates what the B52 G or H can do to an enemy! 3. It also demonstrates what talents we have in the U.S. has to design an aircraft to protect our country! I’d also, like to mention that I served our country in the USAF 1979-1983 working on that aircraft as a maintenance crew chief!! I proudly served and was honored to work on that bird!!
I worked on these old beasts during Operation Linebacker ll at U Tapao Royal Thai Navy Air Base. That was 50 years ago and I've heard that with constant updates they could be in service for 100 years! On the flight line whichever aircraft they were assigned to was THEIR airplane. Respects to you, Kevin.
These lumbering beasts of the sky have proved themselves time and again.
Saw several B-52s taking off in a row at Grand Forks AFB years ago, what an awesome sight, and sound!
The B-52: Peace the old fashion way. Thanks for posting and be safe 🙏
The decal on my rear window of my pickup!
Last assigned large base in early 70's had SAC wing. The late night and pre-dawn morning alerts and training exercises were telling when you could "feel" the KC-135's take off first and later the 52's. As someone once said,"you hear that ? It's the sound of freedom !!"
My Favorite Air Force Machine. My Father was involved w/Air Force. Got a Purple-Heart from Iwo-! Proud of him. A good Man ! All WW2 Vets deserve the best.
Bless him.Thank you for his service
I worked on the G model in the USAF back in the 80s. FYI, the LAST B-52 built (an H model) was built in June of 1962. The Air Force got their money's worth with these being on the rolls for well over 60 years now! They do hope to use the H models remaining for at least another 20 - 30 (!!) years.
I actually worked on the B-52 as a mechanic...
Bob Withington, George Schairer, Ed Wells - all names in the Boeing history book. As a young engineer I was fortunate to have interactions with Mr. Schairer during the re-engining of the KC-135 prototype. We were studying the flow mechanics of the nacelle fence (or chine) and how it affected wing stall. Five years later Mr. Withington got Boeing into the high altitude recon business with the Dark Star project (well, it's forerunner). Later in my career Bob's son worked for me. What I remember about them is they listened. My age did not matter (being a young 'punk'). And, they acted quickly and decisively. As testament to their ability and vision, the B-52 is still in service - 60 years after the last one rolled off the Wichita production line.
It is amazing that such a dinosaur is still in active status.
It's awesome that's why
Look at the potus. Planes don’t get dementia. So the plane is far better at it’s age than the man controlling who it attacks.
Darf, arf arf 😆
@SilverJustice Not really. It's a piece of garbage. I used to work them. It should have been replaced 30 years ago.
@@rael5469 Not sure what you mean by, “I used to work them.” Also, what specifically makes the aircraft ‘garbage’? Also, the aircraft has been augmented in inventory by the B-1 and B-2. I think your post is a tad suspicious.
My father started out with fire control on B47s then the B52 until 1974 ,he retired , he loved the 52 , it's a amazing aircraft, and a tuff old bird , can't remember witch bombing mission it was in Vietnam, a BUFF took a lick from a SAM and took the blow on a G model where the gunner sit and made it back home .( TUFF )🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
PS all of these men are a special breed of men,
👍❤
25:16 - The face he makes when he says that. His face literally said out loud "I've seen its destruction before!!". Its like when he said it he relived some of those feelings from back then. If his face had a hand it would have open hand smacked the person he said it to. Thats how serious his face was. Powerful stuff
Thank you to all who served !!
Mr. Yuill's story telling is just brilliant.
I grew up about 1/4 of a mile from the runway at Pease SAC AFB (Portsmouth, NH) and LOVED watching these planes & the little fighter jets take off and land, esp at dusk.
My father was stationed at Pease and I was born in Portsmouth!
@@6milemary419 Awesome! I lived in Portsmouth from August 67 till December 73!
People call the B52 a dinosaur - It is more like an Alligator - Sure it’s a dinosaur, but it will outlive humanity because it is hard to kill, strong as a bull, and has a hell of a bite.
Well said from AF brat who loves these planes. Grew up around planes and missiles, flight lines and missile launches. The crews are amazing and I was in awe. My Dad was always on call 24/7 and bag always packed to go. God bless our military and USAF! 🇺🇲🗽🇺🇲💕
I was a gunner on B52 G’s and H’s. I was there the day the Cold War ended at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth Texas. I’ve got about 1000 hours on the old buff. I went on to become a flight engineer on a C141 at McChord AFB in Washington. I love this old airplane. It stunk, it was cold, but it was steady and it was exciting. I cannot believe it’s still flying today. But old JAGUAR misses the BUFF. I’d like to give a shout out to Big Dawg, John, Barney and Eric along with Don and so many others. Fly fight and win baby Ooooorrrrraaaahhhhhh
This is why I love this Channel the most. The extended interview at the end is awesome
THe B-52 is really huge when you come up close to one. In fact I've seen a B-52 Stratofortress at the March Air FOrce Museum. It is one of my favorite bombers.
I was born in 1959. Almost '58, twelve days earlier it would have been, that airframe began construction in '49 started active duty in '52. I'm 64 this coming January. The Buff is ten years older than me. Amazing, I know this stalwart is still going to be used in the near future. Here's your at a boy!
Loved hearing pilot speaking
Love the RANGE of 8,000 miles, that is totally SICK
@Pete Singletons "Sick" is a common colloquialism meaning "awesome" or "amazing".
@@PietriGuitars Amazing!!
Or "Sick", if you will. Lol
Around the world!
I live in Bossier City, Louisiana close to Barksdale AFB and I see these planes almost every day! They’re huge & loud but it’s really cool seeing them flying over the city!
Well, that's another hour of well spent time of my life. Thanks for posting.
Glad you enjoyed it
I miss flying in these.
B36, six turning four burning. Also the first "Broken Arrow". I have a pic with Grandpa with the B36 in the background in the sandbox, mid 1950's, . Captain Harold Barry ditched his crew over the Pacific, and then flew to Terrace British Columbia where he knew that vast snowfields would allow him to safely land in the soft and deep snow near Mount Kolget. I lived and worked in Terrace BC for a year and as an avid skier can attest to the deep and soft snow conditions there.
The stories at the end are the perfect ending to this.
The one with the “Full Moon” really gives me feelings I can’t describe. I cannot even imagine that feeling.
Such an awesome name for an iconic aircraft; S T R A T O F O R T R E S S
When I was a young girl, my Grandmother took me to see the B52's......I will never forget seeing this Hugh Monster of a Plane!
I was in Awe!
The BUFF! I love this aircraft amongst many (Warthog, SR-71 to name a couple). She’s not ‘ugly’ she’s beautiful for what she can do for our country!
The B-52H's still flying the skies bring a whole lotta kickass with them and they look every inch the part. Beautifully ugly.
OK pilots tell us about going up or down like in a elevator. When a fighter is on your tail. I think if I remember correctly 5 to 10 seconds .
Ex crew chief 47 52 kc135 great duty for my 20 years
Hmm, I never once thought of the B-52 as ugly, just right, somehow. Big Brother up in the air. Never saw a Warthog, just videos. The Blackbird was crazypants, leaking fuel all over the runway when cooled down finally. B-52 wasn't like either of those, it wasn't nasty durable or fast, just Global superiority. "We have the BUFF. You don't. Sucks to be you.". All nifty planes though. I hope we are never in fear of enemy planes.
Imagine driving a big 18 wheeler through a neighborhood and back it up. Thats what it feels like to fly a B-52. Fuck, I do that everyday. Where do I get the keys to my B-52!
I've always loved this plane, the payload it can deliver anywhere on the planet makes it a special piece of our military airpower, not just the plane itself but the people who fly and maintain the plane are top notch with the best training in the world.🙏🇺🇸🌎
There's nothing special about this plane. It was easily countered with a single surface to air missile. So basically, it can only be used against goat herders. If it can survive the skies of Russia, then it is special.
@@tuanas458 I mean clearly the Russians can't use AA so...
Nothing wakes up a battlefield more than a B-52, you don't hear them but you find out they are there when your whole world around you is gone and then it's too late anyway.
Kudos to our friends from Vietnam who stood their ground no matter the hell of fire US threw on them.
Unforgettable the feel of Arc light. Run course we weren't downrange of course we we were a couple miles away
My 1st base was Andersen AFB on Guam. As an SP, we worked the alert pad. We knew when CSC came on the radio, klaxson, klaxson, klaxson..... all post and patrol prepare for crew response. Then at Dyess AFB, same thing for the B1 except the crews were in the area.
Thank you for your Service, sir
Amazing dedication. Thank you for keeping us safe.
I absolutely love those jets!
The public has no idea what you amazing guys and gals have to go through to protect us..!! Much admiration to the military forces…
KUDOS
I thank you all for your time and commitment. I was able to thrive and enjoy childhood from your sacrifice of time from your family and life. I really appreciate you all.
I was in Utapao, Thailand December 1971. I watched them take off and land. Seemed like every twenty minutes two would take off and two would land. I was impressed.
Utapao 635 MMS 74-75 best job I ever had
I lived in Haughton, LA (next to Bossier City and Barksdale) from 1976-78. I was privileged to observe the B-52 innumerable times (and the British Vulcan from time to time). Also my family was given a fantastic personally guided tour by an AF Tech Sargent. We weren't allowed to touch the B-52s, but we allowed to come within a few feet of them. Amazingly the Confederate Airforce B-17 had recently been transferred to the real AF and was parked at Barksdale. We were allowed to enter the B-17 and pass through the entire length from cockpit to tail gunner. My grocery store boss during highschool was a B-17 tailgunner during WW2. It was good to see the cramp B-17 tailgunner position which he occupied during WW2. He spent a lot of WW2 in a POW camp where a grew a hatred of potatoes, because that was about all the POWs were given to eat. The Boomers were raised by the Greatest Generation. Too bad that we Boomers were spoiled and never acquired the superb character of their parents who experienced the Great Depression and WW2.
She's a beautiful bird ...
Thank God for The Guardians of The United States 💕 God bless and protect The United States Military 💕💞💞
Engineering that crosswind crab landing system with analog electronics is just insane. The whole aircraft was/is an engineering marvel. Still going strong 70+ years later, and will continue to serve for at least another decade. 🇺🇸
That is one massive built bad boy.
I grew up 15 miles away from a USAF SAC BASE in Upstate NY in the sixties . It was also home to a Squadron of F-106 Delta Darts . Needles to say it was fascinating to see these planes flying every day .
Thank you guys and ladies for all you have done for freedom, for a few of us understands that Freedom is Not Free. God Bless our Veterans and God Bless the U.S.A.
That is one heck of a bomber.
Great documentary and video history of the B-52. However I wish it would have documented more of the stresses and vigilance of the plane maintainers. The around the clock missions involved 4-5 times the number of support personal on the ground than the number of aircrew. Truly a remarkable logistical operation. 24 hours a day 365 days a year of zero fail mission readiness of the greatest national importance.
Ehh. No one cares
Pay that clown no mind. I worked in aerospace, so I know that we aren't the only ones that care!
I can't get over the size of the flaps!
Thanks!
Thank you SO MUCH Scott!
The longevity of this plane engineering is amazing. Without this plane, we would need to use nukes. This plane has been a deterrent in saving countless lives and preventing the need for nukes.
Thank you to all of you who kept gard over the the United States of America lot of people have no idea what you all did for us while we went about are every day lives I knew a long time ago about this project and I am glad that the buff is still in the air supporting the United States of America again Thank you all
"The mere sight of a B52, means we're here to stay, we're watching, and we aren't going to abandon you..., " Colonel Tony Imondi USAF.
Well that aged well.
I had the same problem air refueling a B-52. It looked SO EASY! BUT.......when I actually TRIED IT....It WASN'T. The other thing that was difficult about the B-52 is landing it in a high cross wind. One has to crab the aircraft into the wind unlike on a normal aircraft where one lands with a wing low in the direction of the wind. That means you have to land the monster looking out of a side window. WEIRD!
Before I flew the B-52 I flew another aircraft in Vietnam. On one mission we flew right through a B-52 bomb drop. I'm probably one of the few USAF pilots that can say I was on both of the "business ends" of the B-52.
You what? Why would you do that? SNFU?
One pilot mentioned he had to crab the wheels to eleven degrees and that he would never want to land at the max of twenty two.
@@robertlucyksr667 Believe me...I didn't do it for fun! At the time I was flying with a Vietnamese crew. The bomber control radio would announce the strike over the guard channel and give us only 10 minutes to clear an area before a B-52 strike. That was done because, prior to that time, targeting information was being relayed to North Vietnamese regiments in the field by spies and that gave them time to take cover. The bomber control organization would specify coded coordinates for the target. We were SUPPOSED to react to those messages and leave the area. Unfortunately, the Vietnamese navigator on that flight did not have a good command of English and either miss understood the message or failed to react.
There was an aircraft from our squadron, following us a few miles behind, and saw the whole thing. The pilot called and told me: "I thought you were dead!". Obviously I wasn't...and, of course, they missed! Luck of the Irish...I guess.
@@giggleherz I did at least one of those crazy landings, looking out of a side window. I thought: "What the HELL do I do now??!!! How do I flare this damn thing with it's nose pointing away from the runway?"
@@badguy1481 Amazing!!!
Saw a B-52 one night refueling at night with all lights on looked like a garden tractor pulling a cargo ship awesome,came right over around midnight
Every one in SAC was sharp. The crews, the maintenance crews, the weapons guys, the SP’s, hell, even the cooks.
This and the A-10 Warthog are American war fighting classics!
I'm only 62 and I've never been inside a B-52 but I know they are the strongest airplane the world has ever known,.! And the people who are dogging out bowing these days when things go wrong, need to realize those airplanes saved our entire country 🇺🇲
I was in Thailand from 1971-1972 and was part of the operation linebackers 2 i loaded bombs on the B52 I am the one in the thumb nail arming 500 lb bombs.
I was not a flight crew member, but an aircraft maintenance person during the Cuban missile crisis. We spent the first five days of that ordeal living right with the flight crew assigned to our plane. Later after things got a little more organized, we were given separate living facilities, but would go out to the plane each day to check out everything. This went on the whole time the blockade on Cuba was happening. We never knew if or when the word would come to launch our aircraft and I am talking every B-52 on that base. They were all loaded for bear and ready to go
That is my favorite modern plane. I was 2 years old when the A's rolled off the line. It's been with us since the 50s and will likely be with us till the 2030's. If not longer. That and the C130s have served us well. Odd capability of the 52 is it doesn't have to be straight with the runway when landing and taking off so it can take off and land in a crosswind. Miss seeing them since the shut down Carswell AFB remember an airshow there and could see the bunkers where the nasty bombs were kept. Guarded by on guard a big fence and some geese. No kidding Geese.
I used to live near March AFB, and have seen them landing in a crosswind. It's an incredible sight; it looked like it was in real trouble, but still a smooth landing! 😎
Geese?? Weird
They were the up and coming thing when I was young. They've been upgraded many times but since an Enemy has seen what they can do, It strikes fear in anyone that has been flown low over faster than the speed of sound. It's like a lightning strike just over your head. BOOM and the air shakes. It's so fast,by the time you hear and duck, it's already gone over the horizon..then, they have 5 tons of bombs too.
They are actually Sub-sonic, i believe
The only supersonic heavy bomber the US has is the B1. The B52 is not a supersonic bomber.
When a Boeing B-29 Superfortress and a Arado Ar 234 V21 really love each other! :D
This beauty represents how good American designers are, how good Boeing is at making aircraft, and how good the American Military is at maintaining them and using them effectively. Its insane that this bomber was introduced just a little over a decade after World War II. Today, over 6.5 decades later, the same exact bomber is the still the 2nd best bomber on the planet.
To put the B-52's longevity into context if the B-52 fleet had entered service as a direct replacement for the Wright Flyer when its production run finished it would still have been in service now longer than the Wright Flyer if it had been flying into the 60s................
Some people think nuclear and even conventional heavy bombers are obsolete but what subs and missiles don't have that bombers do is the psychological fear factor that bombers do. They are very powerful psychological weapons; you can't see subs nor know their locations and missiles in a stationary hole just don't have the same fear factor affect that bombers do.
I've been absolutely in love with this plane. I studied aerospace at SJSU. Three most important things are weight weight and weight. The weight this plane can carry is staggering. When it drops it's payload ( bombs) omg, dropping complete destruction from far far above
The term I remember was buff being a Strategic Air Command security policeman/ security specialist, they had other plans considering stationed at Sac headquarters, they had deployment sites/ relocation in place
It has 8 engines wow, I love it! The more engines the better, I like it.
In the 1950s I liked watching B52 s taking off at Içerlick AFB. What amazed me was the wing tips took off and you could see the wings pull fuselage into the air. It worked every time, although it didn't seem like it should. Then there was the landing on the crazy but wonderful landing gear which allowed the B52 to point a different way than the runway.
Amazing that these planes will serve for a century by then end. They are intended to fly for several more dec8
*several more decades.
No other country in the world could build the B-52, not even today some 60 yrs. Later. Correct me if I’m wrong ???
Man, the name itself sound badass
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It's a damn miracle we survived the cold war era with so munch fear and angst of the "evil empire."
Well it really was an 'evil empire' and the world's better off without it.
Absolutely amazed that the US designs an aircraft that has lasted to be in service and a real threat for 70 years. Current B-52s are at least 60 yrs. old.