First Time B-52 Landing at Oshkosh - 17 July 2015

For the first time in the history of the Oshkosh EAA AirVenture event, a USAF B-52 Stratofortress bomber landed on the Oshkosh runway and was carefully towed to a prominent display location near show center. And yes, for those who are not music fans, we had to insert music in some places because the ambient video was unusable. Since this video was made, we have made changes to improve our audio directionality and quality, making music less ncecessary in the future. Shucks, some viewers like the music, some don't...(We hope you will visit the Airailimages KZbin Channel and subscribe. Thanks!) Want more Oshkosh? Here's our Playlist: • Oshkosh EAA AirVenture...
And how about some more great B-52 clips? Here are more links to B-52 videos on the Airailimages Channel:
• B-52 Global Thunder Fl...
• Triple Threat Heavy Bo...
• B-52H Refueling from K...
• B-52 in USAF/Korean Fo...
• B-52 Mission Highlight...
This video is part of the Airailimages Airshow America collection.
#B52
#Airailimages
#AirVenture

[@jimmytechnologies]

Great video but the music killed it

[@cmscms123456]

The "Last" crew to fly the B-52, hasn't even been born yet...

[@clydesuckfinger7097]

Really neat landing. Only brakes,extended flaps, and a drag chute to slow the aircraft, Great job by the pilot and crew,

[@joelouden6592]

Absolutely beautiful aircraft.

[@grampaof5]

NAILED IT!!! Terrific job, Major. I really liked the pinpointed skid marks on the wheels down approach apron. That's how a real professional does his job.

[@BadenCityFire]

the shape of this aircraft is superb !!!! looks like brand new !

[@titan133760]

The funny thing is that the latest variants of the B-52 was made in the 1960's and they've stopped production in 1962 and is stated to remain in service until the 2040's

[@RY-rm4ve]

Hats off to the Crew Chiefs that busted their asses getting this plane ready. Looks great.

[@alanmacification]

Pilot: "Boy, that is a short runway!" Copilot: "Ya, but look how wide it is!"

[@TheFallen1013]

36-18 is the longest runway at OSH. If they were to use the others, it would be hard to stop before the end of the other runways.

[@mikemac2888]

A380 didn't need a chute. Was fun to watch as well. (8,000ft isn't a lot for the BUFF).

[@AnthonyJones-ib3dw]

On Okinawa we had 12,500 feet of runway and after bomb loading, we could only take on 30 min of fuel or we couldn't get off. Take off consisted of one tanker then a Buff, another tanker then another Buff and finally the third tanker and the last Buff and this was typical of each three ship formation. It was pretty common to hear high pitched pilot voices as they tried to hit the tanker and 1-8 were sputtering. By the way flight suits had to be washed or burned after every mission.

[@suasponte8363]

Kyle Bradfish thank you Cpt. Obvious....

[@fastone942]

that was one of the reason there up to now never been one there runway is not the wide but they make it work by taking down the lights and a lot of them

[@mwhyte1979]

Worked BUFF's at Wurtsmith AFB in Michigan. You never forget your first time working them.

[@airailimages]

Thanks for commenting.

[@benjamindudley8285]

Very impressive aircraft, and great piloting(yes he bounced, but think about it he is used to landing on a runway two times as wide, his sight picture would be completely whacked)

[@louiestark]

I love the BUFF I worked on them as jet engine mechanic at K I Sawyer AFB 1976 - 1978. Got to sit in the cockpit and run the engines. Also went on refueling missions, riding in the KC 135 during refueling .

[@airailimages]

That's what makes this channel so much fun -- glad to read your story, glad you liked the video. Thanks.

[@DunedinMultimedia2]

beautifully maintained, she looks brand new

[@coriscotupi]

Cool, we get to see four B-52 landings in one video. Thnx for posting.

[@litemite100]

Great landing, considering the runway is much narrower than you are used to and you are coming in very light. Thanks for the vid. Loved to watch them at Bergstrom AFB Austin, TX years ago!

[@ssn608]

I remember them there.... going from Austin to my Aunt's place in Seguin, we'd drive southeast out of the city, travel through a bunch of ranch land, and then we'd finally see the huge tails of the B-52s over at Bergstrom. Now Austin-Bergstrom is practically downtown Austin

[@stevejensen3471]

Dad flew the 52 outta Westover and McCoy during the late 50's and 60's on Chrome Dome. Bad to the bone! RIP and High Flight Pop!

[@airailimages]

Always good to hear from the families of veterans remembering those who served. I had the opportunity to fly on a B-52G out of Fairchild many years ago for a magazine article, and have high regard for the skills of the crew.

[@TBlake-yf2sr]

That is 1029, a bird that used to be at Grand Forks. I worked on that airframe!

[@jpnm81]

What does it need eight engines and a huge wingspan like that? The plane is cool but so awkward

[@davidmacewen]

They say that the last B52 will be flown to the desert to be parked and then another B52 will take the crew home. These are over 60 years old and they can still rain hell from above.

[@davidmacewen]

What it means is that the plane will never die. The design is almost 70 years old and can still instill hell anywhere it's sent.

[@Ratmanmouse]

coptafiel, What are you 12?

[@happysawfish]

Nice work. You do a great job with these.

[@airailimages]

Hey, thank you!

[@Philscbx]

Great Close Up of Gear - Great Camera work handling, I used to do Oshkosh, camping for a week all the time. The SST was my last tour.- What a ship that was.

[@donaldpuetz4457]

Worked on BUFFS from 1969 into 1970. Great airframe it will be around for a long time. I worked on the Radar camera and BDA camera in the aft compartment behind bomb bay door.

[@badguy1481]

The most striking thing to me was the big metal band. riveted around the aft section of the airplane...stuck on like a big band-Aide. "Hmmmm"...I wondered..."What's THAT for!?????"

[@Tom_Losh]

@Donald Puetz , I worked on B-52F cameras at Carswell (7th A&E), 1967-68. Nice to see a fellow 402X0 here! (Went on to 'Nam and worked on F-100 and F-4 cameras, but the B-52, especially the F model, are still my favorites.)

[@trainroomgary]

Fantastic aircrafts & video. • Cheers from The Detroit & Mackinac Railway 🚂

[@AJH.1957]

Sounds aircraft turbines do not match music at the same time. The video is very beautiful.

[@flyingcatsofthesalishsea.]

Sweet bounce..& smokin rubber, thanks for the upload!

[@airailimages]

You are very welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@ColonelMarcellus]

This great presentation (thumbs up) gives little idea as to just how loud these flying machines are.

[@LLDUBTOO]

In the '70s I worked near Carswell AFG in Ft Worth, TX. Those things were taking off all the time. You wouldn't believe how loud the were. Driving down I30 on the south side of the base and have some of them take off right over your head was crazy.

[@airailimages]

Just imagine what it sounded like when Carswell had B-36s!

[@Nighthawke70]

Someone has a 8mm with sound clip on here that has a Peacemaker raising shingles over DFW. EDIT: Here you go; hCViKu9XlbQ

[@dfirth224]

Castle AFB near Merced, CA did constant "touch and go" 24 hours a day in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. You could see the planes circling from nearby Highway 99. Merced is a small town but no one ever complained about the noise of the B-52s and KC 135 tankers. The City depended on the payroll money and income from the government. After the base was closed Merced was hit hard.

[@arthurarmour6134]

Was that the same pilot that landed the Airbus 380 back in '09?... ;)

[@marryellen7713]

What always amazes me is cross wind landing. That buff is 20 dig. from the runway. The pilot has the gear aimed right down the runway. Then as they are rolling at high speed the pilot a-line the buff to the runway.

[@longlakeshore]

Great video! On the go around notice how the B-52 flies slightly nose down in level flight? It's wings are swept so far aft that the center of lift is slightly aft of the center of gravity. On most aircraft the opposite is true and they fly slightly nose up in level flight.

[@airailimages]

Thanks for watching and thanks for commenting!

[@RiderXXX]

Whoa, pounded it in. I've never seen wave motion through wings like that before. Thanks for the uploading, Slim! (for the "Shucks" in the description. Reminded me of Slim Pickens in Dr. Strangelove.)

[@airailimages]

Glad you liked it. And good for Slim Pickens and Dr. Strangelove!

[@ovationpdh]

Nice video, that is one clean B-52.

[@briancunningham5584]

Boeing made a Hellaciously good plane.

[@modshaman]

Now, THAT was impressive!

[@mcdonnell220]

Over 300,000 views, excellent!

[@airailimages]

+Classic Airliners & Vintage Pop Culture Thanks! Yes, this has been a good run; still growing. Has me pondering more B-52 projects in the future.

[@harrisonblackwood7197]

Wow, I remember those BUFFs at Malmstrom. Shook the ground when they took off, and that was over 40 years ago LOL!

[@Ratmanmouse]

I remember BUFFs lighting up the sky at night along the Ho Chi Minh trail.

[@Ford_Raptor_R_720hp_V8]

the last B-52 rolled off the line in 1963

[@SupermanJH68]

Great Video, thank you. When loaded with a full complement of weapons, those outrigger wheels trail on the ground. At Vr, those wheels are 6 ft off the ground.

[@mikeyaudio]

ATC: Uhhh Skyhawk 84D runway 36, cleared to land, be advised of wake turbulence from B-52 84D: 84D requesting flight following to Fond du Lac

[@Aviation_Videos]

wow look at that wing bounce im going to share this around this is awesome

[@carlusa2001]

Cameron Reynolds I don't know about the H Model; but the D Model wingtips were allowed 18 feet of total flex.

[@CHThornton]

carlusa2001 Wings are the same except the tip tanks are smaller which would give less bounce depending on how much fuel is in the tanks. Tips tanks on the B, C, D, E, F were larger. G and H have small tanks. Wing structure was essentially the same in all models except for depot upgrades. Former crew member of B-52F, D, H

[@mcdonnell220]

Thanks Fred!

[@expresswayjess]

Awesome video!!! I will be there in a few days to see it in person.

[@brettbass2605]

Any pilot will tell you, any landing you can walk away from is a good landing.

[@Jhardy64]

+Brett Bass or any two landings

[@mitty361]

Great video good music 👍🇦🇺

[@airailimages]

Thanks 👍

[@bennygebing7991]

I don’t understand why it’s nicknamed the “BUFF? I think it’s a beautiful airplane!

[@airailimages]

Agreed! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@JustACandian]

If there's anyone who can get a bird like that down on a runway like that, it's the men and women of the USAF.

[@mrz80]

+JustACanadian Somewhat akin to watching the footage of the trials they did of a C-130 landing and taking off of the USS Forrestal :)

[@Ratmanmouse]

I'd fly with a carrier pilot any day.

[@pbellbell]

thanks ! geat vid,

[@airailimages]

And thanks for watching.

[@keithmurray2576]

Boy the wing flex makes cringe everytime...love the buff.

[@aliensporebomb]

Wow, what a video - massive!

[@greatbritishscarface7464]

2:46 Look at the size of it's wheels.

[@KKG51]

I have a question. I thought that once the aircraft slowed during landing that the outboard gear would touch the ground as the wing stopped providing lift. I didn't see that happen, could it be because the aircraft wasn't fully fueled or had emptied the outboard tanks? Thanks guys!!

[@airailimages]

Yes, the amount of fuel in the wings affects how far they droop.

[@KKG51]

Thanks!!!

[@americosantos3749]

Sensacional!

[@airailimages]

Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@the1realanalogman]

Beautiful!

[@AirplaneDetective]

You mean first TWO landings!

[@JohnComley]

Yes, the pilot got that flair a tad wrong!

[@AnthonyJones-ib3dw]

It could have been ground effect.

[@TheSirjohn2012]

Nice arrival for the first time for our first heavy jet bomber but the music ruins the whole scene period.

[@b-52gstratofortress41]

Great Aircraft

[@johnmoore9694]

My brother! Said he was so pissed that he bounced it!

[@airailimages]

Still, that was an impressive sight. I remember years ago, talking with an experienced antique aircraft owner at Oshkosh, I commented that "I'm still working on my landings", to which he quickly replied, "We all are".

[@marekfabis8575]

B52 BUFF still looks sharp! Bomber for any situation. From cold war for today! Still.mighty still dangerous! King of the sky whenever he is!!!

[@markdudley3831]

If u need a parachute to slow it down on a short runway.... how the hell do you speed it up enough to take off ?

[@gregbergman1406]

Looks like the first and second landing at OSH for a BUFF. I hope we get to see the takeoff.

[@biukucanoe]

better landing than the one at Fairchild AFB face plant

[@hazmatt3250]

Daaaang.....

[@eyestoenvy]

Question, if that chute fails, can she still come to a complete stop in time? And is the chute reusable?

[@airailimages]

Yes, chute reusable. And I believe, if the chute fails, the bomber can stop, but the brakes will probably need a lot of repairs! The chute makes it easier on the aircraft. Any B-52 crew chiefs care to comment...

[@Nampy1]

This video was uploaded on my bday

[@josephastier7421]

1:21 Little late on the flare there, Slim.

[@kodyfiresheets4247]

Was really disappointing that they didn't bring it in on Saturday or Sunday when there was more people that could have watched it. I live an hour south of where they are based out of so I get to see them but it really would have cool to see it arrive. We came in Saturday at Noon and were surprised to see it at Boeing Plaza already.

[@redstoyotarunnerwithstri-hp9gm]

what about hitting airport signs and stuff with the wheels on the wings?

[@airailimages]

Good question. They removed some of them for this landing.

[@Tree_Dee]

Uhm, where are the "stress" ripples on the fuselage behind the wings? (AAFB, 1973-1974.)

[@Dabobeans]

I like the music. Would you mind sharing the name of the song and artist. Great job on the video.

[@airailimages]

Thanks. We try to credit the music at the end of most of our videos -- this is called "Blank Holes" from Jingle Punks on the KZbin Audio Library

[@Dabobeans]

Thank you I appreciate it. I just subscribed and look forward to watching all of your videos.

[@MrFrankturbo1]

old bird is beautiful

[@obiphil8672]

Why don't the JT3 reverse? Looks like they are not equipped with reverse thrust at all!!!

[@sterling147]

Jeez. More like a controlled crash. Look at the bounce and all that tyre smoke

[@playgl20990]

Hope to see it next year and the phantom of course

[@JDLamps1]

Music.The music on most videos is too loud. Probably not on purpose, it just comes out louder on youtube and distorts the other sounds.

[@MIZUch.]

Does the B-52 not have thrust reversers?

[@Ratmanmouse]

Need to load a few of these BUFFs up and visit the MidEast, and we're not talking Ohio!

[@semco72057]

That is the newest model they have been donated too.

[@rawblow4512]

I keep hearing about new engines for this beauty? Anyone out their know what type they will be? Will it be 4 engines instead of 8 or what?

[@yahatinda]

who paid for runway repair???????? That darn old B-52 looks like a perfect plane.

[@kaputt5241]

Someone over 50 you can trust. The F-35 will never have a service life equal to The BUFF,

[@jrftworth]

+Kaputt No other aircraft will, well except the KC-135. Both built by Boeing of course

[@mytmousemalibu]

+Kaputt Scheduled to remain in active service till at least 2040! I hope the Mighty BUFF is the 1st plane to be in active service for 100yrs! Crazy but very cool!

[@jrftworth576]

+Daniel Pearson there aren't any 50 year old C-130's flying!

[@andrewm1058]

+Kaputt your comparnig 2 aircraft ment for completely different roles, all the b52 has to do is carry a boat load of bombs and drop them somewhere, the task of the f35 requires always having the latest technology hence being replaced sooner

[@melvafinn]

+jr ftworth Yes there is. RNZAF has 3 over 50 and another 2 getting close

[@ColonelMarcellus]

They sure have some smokey-ass engines!

[@davidsoom6383]

As a child my father was an Air Policeman and we lived on the base at Norton. I swear I remember B-47 landing with the drag shoot out before the landed. I mean the shut was bloomed well before they came over the fence. Can someone tell me if I'm wrong. I currently fly a Citation Bravo so I know a bit about planes. I swear that memory is real to me, why wouldI make something up like that. Please someone out there must know if this is even possible. In my memory it happened more than once. Now as I think about it I think that wouldn't be good idea. Thats a lot of drag and the approach speed is a lot higher than the touchdown speed. Could the parachute even stand that speed? Perhaps I'm in a stage of dementia but I've told people this even when I was young. Someone help me out. Can a B-47 fly the last of it's approach to touch down with a fully deployed drag chute? Doesn't seem possible. But I do so clearly remember that. As a child, it seemed amazing too. This will be interesting because I suspect many will tell me I'm crazy but maybe one person out there knows.

[@airailimages]

You are correct -- it was a special chute that created extra drag on final approach. This allowed the J47 jet engines to be run at higher power settings. Then, in the event a go-around was necessary, the B-47's sink rate could be halted by jettisoning the chute. Without this device, it is conceivable that some go-arounds could not be made, committing the aircraft to come to earth because the engines couldn't spool up fast enough.

[@glishskiii]

So was that actually the first two landings at Oshkosh??

[@airailimages]

Many years ago I was standing beside a well-respected pilot of antiques at Oshkosh, watching arrivals. I was just learning to fly at the time, and I mentioned "I'm still working on my landings", to which the seasoned veteran pilot replied: "We all are."

[@e_facil]

GIGANTE DOS ARES, só de ver já assusta. Imagine um inimigo avistando um pequenino desse sobre suas cabeças.

[@stephen8308]

They really do land the plane like🛬

[@UTubeGlennAR]

Vary impressive however, so was the old Cessna (195?) taxi by tooooooooo. Having had my Army Basic Training at Ft. Dix in the late 60s, 52s were always coming in and out of the AF base adjacent to ours. I think it was McGuire AFBase????

[@airailimages]

That's what's so great about Oshkosh -- incredible variety of aircraft. Thanks for watching!

[@UTubeGlennAR]

Yes, hoping to be able to go this coming summer and camp there from a few days before to a few days after. Suspect this is the best way to attend if U can swing it.......

[@airailimages]

I find the general atmosphere is friendly, with thousands of aviation enthusiasts from all over. If you camp onsite, you are close at hand for some enjoyable long days of airplane-watching. Shuttles can take you some places, but be prepared to walk a lot! Hope you enjoy it.

[@j-smr8027]

I live at an airforce bAse that uses those they are majestic when they land the best glider ever

[@titan133760]

I noticed the wings wobble a bit the moment it touches the runway, and that landing gear configuration makes it look unstable and awkward during takeoff and landing. Still an impressive bomber when it comes to its long range capability and massive payload

[@buffaimer1]

It's very light which can make the wings wobble. (The tip gears are very high, which indicates the fuel in the wings is low.) The initial bounce was caused, I think, by the front gear hitting the ground first, which is a no-no. That gear configuration was classified at the very beginning--it's very strong. The gear can be lowered at cruise speed if needed.

[@Swaggerlot]

They gave the Buff a polish, good.

[@eaa343]

EAA chapter 343 and the 343 Bomb squadron made this happen.

[@bryanmoubray1239]

Outriggers are in two separate counties

[@tolisvasco5868]

Why the chute? Is there no reverse thrust?

[@hazmatt3250]

That thing is so massive and takes so long to slow down that it NEEDS that chute. My dad used to be a radar navigator on these and he explained it to me. Wonderful aircraft!

[@tolisvasco5868]

thanks for the reply. I eventually found out it has no reverse thrust, which is strange to say the least

[@blindleader42]

+tolis vasco The only combat jet, new or old, I've ever heard of equipped with thrust reversers was the Navy F-94C and that was used as a speed brake for carrier approaches, not for landing roll-out. Transports don't count as combat planes in this context. The desirability of thrust reversers isn't really all that obvious. It's an expensive, heavy system that gets used for less than 20 seconds of every flight, but gets hauled around for every second of every flight, costing money for fuel and decreasing performance. In combat planes, performance trumps everything but the minimum safety requirements. Better safety margin (variable runway conditions) is the main reason for their use on transports.

[@SearTrip]

+blindleader42 The SAAB Viggen & Panavia Tornado both have thrust reversers. The Viggen was built with them so it could land on short sections of straight road, part of the Swedish dispersal plans when it was built.

[@blindleader42]

+SearTrip Ah, two exceptions that probe the rule. In both these cases, short field operation dictated a design trade-off at the expense of performance in the air. I didn't know the Viggen was so equipped. Its successor, the Grippen, accomplished the short field performance without thrust reversers by incorporating speed brakes and an all-flying canard. Completely off topic. One of my favorite advertisements of all time was a picture of a Grippen in flight with a "bumper sticker" on a flap reading: "My other SAAB is a car." You can Google it. I own a 900 from that era, when the car company still touted its common heritage with the aircraft manufacturer.

[@ilikezappa3268]

It looks like an angel of death . No other plane looks that sinister

[@CristianDosramosDaLuz]

Amazing! :0

[@mikemac2888]

+airailimages - Here's a great pic of the skid-marks left on landing. I'm betting there were skid-marks in the pilots shorts as well.. (right on the numbers) of an 8,000ft runway. i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/1350611550816395663.jpg

[@aircraftengr5763]

It turned around the might be another aircraft blocking the runway

[@lesbrown7009]

May have bounced and that is quite alright since the recovery was dead on.

[@milwaukeegregg]

Been there 6x. 5x too many.......Won't be back.... You are much better off watching on youtube than being there...Sad to say..

[@czymartin]

Could you provide the name of music you played in the video, thanks.

[@airailimages]

Martin Christopher Listed at the end of the video -- it is a royalty free selection from the KZbin Audio Library

[@BolexH8]

***** That RF music has got to go. It's just awful. So tacky!

[@pappydroneairsoft6098]

does he get credit for both those landings? :)

[@Bbendfender]

Crosswind no problem for a B-52.

[@richardrobertson1042]

Only so many of us flew the BUFF

[@jacobtthoronn672]

How many they were shot down..in the Hanoi bombing raid..?

[@dfirth224]

A few but not many. After a while they installed radar jamming equipment.

[@Buelligan88]

Eight engines seems like such an anachronism in the 21st century.

[@dfirth224]

JP47 engines were small. One modern engine is equal to two JP47s. The 47s also smoked.

[@ronaldharris2439]

Those are NOT J47's. The earlier B-52's had J57's. The D-F had roughly 14000 # thrust, the G had roughly 16000# thrust. They all took off with a nose down attitude. The H is the only B-52's left. They have TF33 fanjet engines w/roughly 18000# thrust. They take off with a nose up attitude.

[@ronaldharris2439]

The J 57's also had water injectors for more thrust on take off, hence made black smoke.