This Genius US Invention Changed the B-52 Stratofortress Forever

Welcome back to the Fluctus Channel for a feature on the many upgrades the powerful B-52 Stratofortress went through, as well as what happens once planes are decommissioned.
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[@glennsullivan4195]

I am almost 70 years old. I have lived within 10 miles of the end of the runway of Barksdale AFB most of my life. This is the larger of the two bases hosting the B--52. I see them almost every day. I never get tired of watching them fly by.

[@dalenewton9161]

Glenn, these planes are incredible. 1960 is when we moved to Shady Grove.

[@crotalusatrox7931]

I too have lived near the base. Once working as Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Specialist for the State of Louisiana I spent much time with the Barksdale AFB Fire Department. Amazing to see these aircraft up close and personal.

[@terryfreeman1018]

That's a great story.

[@andrewgordon790]

Cheers mate!

[@altonwilliams7117]

I live in Texarkana and know the sound of the engines and look up and see them after they take off and head north out of Barksdale AFB.

[@lawrencegore6647]

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. 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 requirments. These notably included low level terrain avoidance training, often under extreme gust and maneuver conditions. The main reason for the structural 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 redesicn. I am now 95 and I am thrilled to see these planes still flying, and projected to do so for many more years.

[@rwjscaper]

You're a great man Lawrence Gore. Thank you for your knowledge and contributions to humanity. I love these planes and hope they fly for 100 years or more.

[@bluewffl8472]

Honored a man like you is still among us. Stay healthy, appreciate your contributions to aviation.

[@JackOkie]

Proof that the maker of the warrior's weapons is vital for victory.

[@robertnewmark2416]

Thank you for your service as a design engineer. I know the flight crews get all the well-deserved glory, but without people like you, they could not have achieved their missions.

[@massengineer7582]

Good engineering is always, well, good. I'm a EE but I salute and thank you, a Mechanical Engineer I presume.

[@Sb20222]

I live about a mile from Arlington National Cemetery…once or twice a year I’m home to experience a low and relatively slow fly by of a B-52 during an Arlington Cemetery burial…one of the most amazing and awe inspiring aircraft to see in operation

[@rngod2121]

Wish you had said more about the Memphis Belle. When I was a (skinny) little kid, I would ride my bike across town, to go to where the Memphis Belle was on display, in front of the National Guard Armory, in Memphis. I was skinny enough to slide past the attempts to seal it. I would crawl up in the cockpit and pretend I was flying. MANY years later, Fred Smith and many other Memphians raised the money to completely overhaul it, to the point that it was actually flyable. They had a big ceremony and during the flyover, they dropped their payload on the people below, thousands and thousands of roses. It was on display at the Mud Island museum for years. I lived in the Snowden Annesdale historic district, (in 1989) and was at a party at one of the historic houses when I met Margaret Polk III. She was the woman who was the girlfriend of one of the crew, that was the model for the emblem. She sold me a poster (raising money for the Historic District), and signed it , "Happy Landings! Margaret Polk III Memphis Belle 05/21/89" I still have it on my wall. 😁 😍

[@sircolinlesleyrowling]

Cool story 👍

[@Frankie5Angels150]

Maybe because the Memphis Belle was a B-17 and not a B-52? Wrong decade, brah.

[@rngod2121]

@@Frankie5Angels150 Yeah, but they mentioned it. I would enjoy hearing the history of that specific plane, from surviving so many missions, to becoming an iconic craft that, with its crew, helped sell warbonds.

[@martinschuessler1936]

@2:00 - it's crazy when you consider how small the W80 warhead for a ALCM is. Granted, these say specifically they are inert, but it boggles the mind that those small silver cylinders have enough explosive power to take the heart out of any major city.

[@teeess9551]

@X D Chem. Chemical.

[@CONSOLETRUTH2]

Coolest fact about the B-52? There are stories where you have a Grandfather, father, and son (grandson) all having flown the B-52 so 3 generations in one family flying the same craft and with the B-52 being extended so that they will more than likely hit and be the first aircraft to serve 100 years, it is highly plausible that you could have 4 generations having flown the bomber. Crazy yet amazingly cool at the same time!

[@danielsummers1417]

Now the US can't make a vacuum cleaner that will last more than 5 years or even make anything

[@galicije83]

@@danielsummers1417 Well they can made vacuum cleaners to last more then 5 years but they wont...why some one made for example vacuum cleaner to last 30 years for 100 dollars, when they can sell for same price VC every 5 years or even more (price of them)...6 for 30 years is 600 dollars, 1 for 30 years work is only 100..

[@LuvBorderCollies]

That is mindboggling to ponder considering many airframes didn't get past the 1st generation of pilots. The C-130 is also in the multi-generational category of legacy aircraft.

[@Blazer02LS]

@@galicije83 They do make them but they are not cheap. Our Kirby is on coming up on 30 years old. Still works like new and has had one new fan and a bearing plus a new cord in all that time.

[@Frankie5Angels150]

When they retire the last B-2 to AMARC, the crew will get their ride home in a B-52! Ancient Chinese proverb

[@robertheinkel6225]

I taught the basic aircraft maintenance school on the Buff, at Chanute AFB, IL. I was stationed there from 74 to 79. It was a crew chiefs nightmare with all its redundant systems. If I remember correctly, 19 hydraulic accumulators, 8 hydraulic packs, and 6 generators.

[@woodwaker1]

I was fortunate to spend 4 years in the USAF, spending 3 years at Offutt AFB - SAC HQ. I saw a B52 and a SR-71 take off on the same day in 1970 or 71. Quite a sight. Now I live close to Whitmann AFB and have seen a lot of B-2s flying over. Proud to have served

[@IFIXCASTLES]

Thank you for your service!

[@steveturner3999]

Thank You for your Service!

[@Bugdriver49]

Hey, that "telegram Me" guy is a scam.......jus be warned....

[@thomasridley8675]

I spent time working on both the B52 and the SR71. Fairchild and Beale.

[@jimdebarr5616]

I was stationed in the army near Utaplao Thai Air BAse they had B 52s and SR 71s. Got to watch them take off and land

[@elwoogie1963]

Amazing that there are crews assigned to B-52s that were manned or crewed by their grandfathers, sometimes great grandfathers.

[@bronco5334]

@Karl with a K That is so completely wrong. For one, aircrew are officers. The aircrew of a B-52 will be mostly Majors and Captains. A relatively junior Captain with 6 years in the military makes $6,481.56 per month in base pay. A Major with 10 years in the military makes $7,891.26 per month in base pay. But that's only BASE pay. They also receive Basic Allowance for Housing; a further tax-exempt allowance which is dependent on the cost of living at the base they are assigned. Using Shaw AFB (a VERY cheap place to live) as a baseline, that's another $1,488 for the Captain, and $1,836 for the Major. And then they get free medical and dental care for themselves and their family, which, for a family of four, averaged $25,011 for the year 2021- in other words, $2,084.25 per month of services the airmen receive for free. So, now we're up to $10,053.81 per month in pay and benefits to the Captain, and $11,811.51 for the Major. Hardly "poverty wages" What about the absolute WORST paid airmen? The brand-new, inexperienced enlisted? Well, the vast majority leave basic training as an E3 (assuming they didn't massively screw up and get disciplinary actions). A brand new E3 airman will receive $2,161 a month in base pay. Then they will receive EITHER free housing in the barracks and free food at the DFACs, OR (if married) will receive BAH and BAS, which (again using Shaw AFB as an example) is $406.98 for BAS and $1,068 BAH for an E3. And they, like the officers, receive the free health and dental care, which is valued at $2,084.25 per month Meaning the worst paid brand-new enlisted with no special pay for special skill qualifiers receives $5,720.23 in pay and services per month, of which $3,635.98 is pay in cash, and only $2,161 is taxed- the rest is tax-exempt. $1700 a month is entirely wrong, and shows that you have no idea how to actually read and interpret the pay scales. Even an E-1 (IE, someone who screwed up in basic and got reprimanded and reduced in rank prior to reaching a line unit) makes $1,833 in base pay... and then makes ADDITIONAL in housing, subsistence, uniform allotment, health and dental. The brand-new enlisted are making the equivalent of $68,000 a year, my guy. Good luck making that flipping burgers.

[@son_of_stan]

@Karl with a K go back to russia troll...thats if you aren't there already.

[@baojhoang7242]

@Karl with a K homeless vet usually have psy, alcohol or drugs problem which prohibits them from holding a steady job. AF pilots and mechanics can easily transfer those skill to civilian jobs.

[@emperatrizcarrasco3266]

@@bronco5334 excellent analisis. That is right. Is a full package...

[@baojhoang7242]

@Karl with a K I had been homeless, have you? I don’t have issues, but I was unemployed. This video is about two bombers. I assume that your comment refer to the military and AF only. I chose those two examples to fit the video. Many jobs in the militaries don’t applied to the real world. But you’re talking about a group of 18-25 years old. They have time to figure out what they really want to do. If you care so much about our men and women in uniform, there is something to can help. Work harder and pay more taxes. Support legislation to increase taxes on the rich and corporations. This is the USA militaries, not China or Russia. You don’t served to get rich or be taken care of by the government. Your comment seems angry and bitter.

[@pkat]

Not more munitions, more types of munitions. The weapons are put on the CSRL BEFORE it's transported out to the aircraft. It actually limits the number of munitions. 8 missiles is 8 missiles - Fixing the errors The starter cart is not "explosive" think of it as a powerful smoke bomb, It's not a jump starter, it has nothing to do with the generator. It burns producing a LOT of gas which you see as smoke. That gas spins the get engine, when the engine gets spinning fast enough the air crew start the fuel pumps and the fuel starts to burn and that's how you start a jet engine. That's exactly how the ground power unit starts the engine, cars are faster but they're dirty and a lot of cleaning needs to be done after using them. The advantage is that you can start all 8 engines at once, with the ground power unit you start the engines one at a time. The crews didn't carry "thumb drives" they carried hard drives the size of a small lunch box. Actually, the B-1B is scheduled to retire long before the B-52. The bombs are not loaded by the Bomb Wing, they're loaded by the Weapons flight of the bomb squadron The afterburner is not an "extension," it's the back of the engine where raw fuel is pumped into the exhaust to provide more thrust Planes are moved into a museum on incredibly RARE instances The National Museum of the Air Force is at Wright Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton Ohio

[@natsuminofan]

@pkat Your precious detail-oriented comment was made 1 year ago. It looks like the vlogger did not have the chance to read it.

[@josemoreno3334]

I saw a B-52 at an air show back in 1989. There was a sign next to it that simply said " We Rain Hell From Above ". Sweet.

[@christineshotton824]

The B1-B has got to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing aircraft ever designed.

[@CHThornton]

B-52s have had rotary launchers since 1972 when the AGM-69 SRAM was fielded. It used an eight missile rotary launcher installed in the aft bomb bay. I was there as a B-52 aircrew member (gunner).

[@paulsuprono7225]

I was based at the other major B-52 base - Minot AFB, North Dakota - B-52H. This weapons system is so mature (ancient) that theoretically the seat that the pilot occupies may be the same we seat his grandfather sat in . . . two generations before ! 🇺🇸

[@CONSOLETRUTH2]

And with the B52 more than likely being the first aircraft to serve for 100 years, you can add Great grandson and thus 4th generation to that fact as well.

[@jameshickok2349]

Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota was interesting to drive by, being next to Interstate 90. Any time I got close I started looking because you never knew what was landing or taking off. Being under a B-52 on short final is an incredible feeling.

[@rodsautter6135]

@Karl with a K My first pay was in cash. Ft Lewis Washington basic training and it was $90.00 per month

[@paladinsix9285]

@Karl with a K Basic military pay does not include your meals (or BAS: Basic Allowance for Subsistence: money for food if you don't live on base; adjusted for where you are based), a place to live, such as a barracks, or BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing), Hazardous Duty Pay, Flight Pay, Skills Bonuses, etc. Medical Care, College classes or technical training (for credit) (Not the GI Bill, but fully paid for by the armed services), travel pay, discounted or free flights when on Leave (Vacation), low price camping grounds, hotels, and resorts on military/naval bases, Retirement after only 20 years service, etc. Many jobs don't have these perks, or you have to "co-pay" for Medical Insurance, retirement, etc. "Stolen Valor" many of the vagrants and addicts who Claim to have served in the US armed forces are lying! There are some homeless veterans, I do outreach to homeless veterans for the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars); the first thing I do when encountering a person who claims to be a veteran is verify their status. Through the VA we can usually determine if a person actually served, even if they were discharged after only a few weeks of Basic Training. (Some people are entitled to some basic services from the VA for even that brief service.) I can often discover in an hour or less that someone did, or did not serve in the US Armed Forces. It used to take 6 weeks or more to get a DD Form 214 and VA ID for a veteran who did not have proof of service (a DD Form 214, or 215, and any govt. picture ID). Now a copy of a DD Form 214 and VA ID may be obtained in 72 hours or less.

[@josecabezas6159]

@@rodsautter6135 ml

[@jvee2901]

I was stationed on Guam in the 80's. What a great plane, served at Dyess with the B-1.

[@davidcaudell6457]

I was also stationed at Anderson AFB Guam 1979, 1880. I loved watching the B52 D take off and land. My Daughter was born at the Navy Base there. I refueled all aircraft. Later I cross trained in Avionics and did repairs on the KC 135. Search Weather Radar and Navigation Sys.

[@williehoffman9062]

I am from South Africa as an elderly person . I have always said. My dream is to see,hear and see how the B 52 goes up,and can hear those engines. It must be fantastic

[@xenogeneic7409]

I just saw this plane for myself at an airshow in England yesterday. The sound it makes taking off is truly amazing, you can actually feel it throughout your entire body. It definitely stole the show. If there's anything you do with your final years, I recommend going out of your way to see one in person.

[@clarenceyoung7511]

I worked alongside those engineering these computer systems decades ago. Genius personified.

[@ourcolonel1685]

I was a member of the 573 squadron of air cadets. We were bussed to GFAB for a tour in 1970. Up close the B52 is very large.

[@paulgrosse7631]

At 9:42 it is nice to see that XM606 has had a lick of paint.

[@erichjeske]

Die B-52 wurde in den sechziger Jahren in den Dienst gestellt und ist auch heute noch Top aktuell. Eine tolle Leistung der Ingenieure. Gratulation.

[@paulmysliborski4832]

I have no expertise to add here. Just that my father was enlisted in the USAF during the Vietnam war, and was on a B-52 refueling crew from 1966-1968. The fact that this weapon platform has been in service for 70 years is more than amazing. I will always be in awe of what the Boeing company has done in it's history.

[@benjaminrush4443]

At the rate they are going the B 52 will be in service 100 years. Amazing. Thanks.

[@Colorado_Native]

True, the newest one was built in 1963.

[@jrftworth]

@@Colorado_Native close, the final B-52 was delivered to the USAF in 1962

[@Colorado_Native]

@@jrftworth You are so right, I believe tail number 1040. Thanks for the update.

[@rickhicks6833]

I was stationed at Edwards AFB when there were just the 3 B-1A's. Those rotory launchers are what save the B-1B program. The original design was for them to only carry nuclear weapons. The SALT treaty changed the need for nuclear capability. But the development of cruise missiles and the rotory launch made the B-1b invaluable.

[@gregoriperalmannn]

OH my goa

[@jamjardj1974]

Of the B1-B, can a rotary launcher be carried in each of the bomb bays or just one?

[@rickhicks6833]

@@jamjardj1974 if I recall correctly it has 3. Bays. And each carries a rotary launcher.

[@jamjardj1974]

@@rickhicks6833 Thamks for that, I recall it having three but couldn’t recall if two bays had an adjustable bulkhead for the purpose of rotary launchers, thereby rendering one bay as unusable during fitting, so to speak.

[@ogbonnanwogwugwu2425]

Hi

[@Mr1963corvette]

I grew up as an Air Force brat. My late dad served 30 years in the USAF. as a Mustang officer he went from an E-1 in the Army Air Corps to an )-6 From the B-47 and the B-52 to the B-58 I watched these taking off and landing from SAC bases while growing up. We were stationed at SAC ADC TAC and MAC bases around the world, And then I served from 73 to 77 at Utapao and Mather A.F. bases as a K-9 handler with the Security Police at SAC during my hitch. The BUFF as we affectionately called her is one amazing and versatile war bird from her entrance in 55 as a high altitude nuclear laden bomber. Her role changed in Vietnam and she terrorized the NVA and Viet Cong during the course of the war. she can also get down on the deck and dance at 300 knots. Talking with the AC and the EWO's at the alert pad was always enlightening and entertaining with their stories. A lot of the fighter boys did not think much of the SAC bomber pilots but you are always going to have what amounts to sibling rivalry between the airmen. The sound and the virbrations one heard and felt of those eight Pratt and Withney J 57's engines howling as they were taxiing out on fast ride to the main runway on an O.R.I. alert was sobering. I could feel my entire innards slightly vibrate from those howling engines on all four B-52's roll out of the A-ramp at high speed followed by the 4 KC- 135 tankers. Even wearing inner ear plugs augumented by wearing a Mickey Mouse headset ear protectors one could still hear the roar and the high pitched shrieking of those JP-4 fed 8 J-57 turbo jet engines. We would always be fascinated by watching them take off and land with the fuselage being so low to the ground and that short, stubby landing gear. They seemed to levitate themselves up into the air. The B-52 still an operational bomber for 67 years from the time I was born and grew up and then served.

[@refuge42]

So was I and BRAT stands for, British Regiment Attached Traveler.🤔🤣🥰

[@striker0103]

I was stationed in Minot ND in the 80’s. It was great to see them take off and land. Being a fireman had up close look at their operations. Seeing them sit in the “bullpen” on alert was an interesting thing as well.

[@donkellogg881]

I was flightline security at Minot, 1980-1983. An amazing aircraft.

[@davidgillies5616]

I was a weapons loader at Minot 1976 - 1979. It's great to see them still flying.

[@crotalusatrox7931]

As a fireman I'm sure you've trained with the Air Force Base Fire Department. These are true professionals, as a Haz Mat First Responder for the State of Louisiana I worked and trained with them often. The Base Fire Chief gave me a flight bag with a complete Heat Resistant Suit. The State often utilized the assistance of the Base Foam Suppressor Truck and crew in large tanker fires (stationary or transport tankers).

[@obsoleteprofessor2034]

Why not Minot!

[@donkellogg881]

@@obsoleteprofessor2034 Freezin's the Reason!

[@perdog9859]

The B-1B is such an amazing-looking aircraft.

[@LuvBorderCollies]

Hard to believe they're starting to head for gate displays or museums. I vividly remember the big hoopla of the Left and media against it, and spineless Jimmah "Grinning Idiot" Carter canceling it. I may be wrong but I believe the B-1 cancellation caused the upgrade programs for the B-52 and extended its active duty.

[@paulschinkel1455]

I spend 75-76 at Fairchild AFB on a bomb loading crew for the BUFF. Quite a airplane, proud to have served. Film brought back fond memories.

[@robertheinkel6225]

Just a quick clarification. Normally bleed air is used to start the engines. When a cartridge start is used, the burning exhaust gases from the cartridge, are routed to the starter turbine, which then rotates the engine like a normal start. It doesn’t explode, just burns. The exhaust gas from the cartridge is deadly to breath.

[@aerotacto]

And only 2 of all 8 are started this way, right? How are the others started? Via crossbleed high pressure air?

[@jeffp6408]

It amazes me that when new crews report to these units, they are working on aircraft that may be older than their parents.

[@federicoaguero6165]

Hermoso avión, y qué grande los ingenieros que permitieron darle una vida más larga a este venerable aparato. Su poder de fuego y destrucción, se acrecentó con las décadas. Transporta bombas y misiles de casi todos los tipos. Muy buen trabajo. Saludos desde Argentina

[@ngochuong6615]

Đem qua Vietnam làm bia tập bắn

[@user-qanaasBaghdad]

الله يخلق البشر ونتم تقتلونه هاذه فلحتم بي

[@michaelmcinnis9590]

Amazing to see so many people working in that environment without safety glasses. It looks as if they aren’t even required.

[@rosewhite---]

It will be a sad day when the last B52 makes its last flight. Such an amazing example of design and engineering.

[@enrique88005]

I dont think that's gonna happen any time soon. Its now a standoff platform never even having to get close enough to get shot down

[@jaybee9269]

Far into the future!

[@keithrelyea7997]

I'll never forget how beautiful it was to see those B-52 at 30,000 feet droping their deadly payload on Vietnam. They were such brave men, risking their lives to keep America safe. Just think of those magnificent men and their flying machines. To think that after 50 plus years we can still find ways to keep the defence dollars flowing and men and women of the Airforce employed putting new formes of deadly destruction in the bellies of these aging beasts. God bless America!!

[@Josephlaszlo]

Keeping America safe?

[@son_of_stan]

Damn right america needs to stay at the top of the world hierarchy get used to it.

[@TurpInTexas]

I remember seeing those cruise missiles years ago and wondering why they had triangular bodies. It's so they can pack them on that rotary carousel! Another mystery solved. Thanks for the great video!

[@paruhblgen4222]

circular body flies better. Fitting into carousel in not a problem

[@prsearls]

The company I worked for made the hydraulic drive units for these rotary launchers.

[@garrypeek897]

Was at Barksdale as SP from 71 to 72 and married a girl from Shreveport and had beautiful 41years.

[@danielpullum1907]

I just visited the ASM in Dayton last Sat. We also visited the museum just before they moved into the four new bldgs. Well worth the time...

[@joebledsoe257]

I grew up looking at the Belle at the Memphis Fairgrounds. Regretfully the City of Memphis neglected it, bunch of danged bums in charge. Glad to see it restored and properly stored.

[@crotalusatrox7931]

My old boss, Carl Clark, a B-17 pilot during WW2 was the oldest B-17 pilot still flying the B-17. He flew the 909 for the Collins Foundation. He died some years ago, and the 909 was destroyed in a later crash.

[@flatfoot7418]

I spent the Summer of 2001 working in Memphis. I drove down to see the Memphis Belle. She wasn’t in very good shape. Glad the USAF Museum has her.

[@rodgangloff8540]

Was driving east of Fort Riley Kansas on I 70. And I was the only car on the hwy. So a B52 came across my car speeding at 80mph, and the pilot must of had a ground target tracker on me. He came over me at a 45° angle at 500 ft in altitude. I was laughing, I'm sure they were.

[@jimdickson1969]

Remarkable that these airframes have stood the test of time for almost 70 years...

[@jimjones6657]

I am 64 and grew up in central Florida near Patrick AFB(SFB) on the coast. Orlando international was a B52 base back when i was a kid. I remember driving by the base going to Orlando and seeing them lined up along the runway was impressive. Used to see them fly over as well on occasion. Here's my thing i have with the USAF. They scrap highly technical aircraft (B1b) and upgrade the dinosaur.

[@majorpayne608]

You can blame that on congress. To get it past the congressional budgeting process back before the aircraft was built, they limited the number of spare parts built to trim the program cost. B-52s have numerous spare parts in the bone yard.

[@billyjoe415]

Hey I was stationed at Patrick back from 71-73! I remember a b52 crashed at Orlando airport (I forgot the air force base name.)

[@jimjones6657]

@@billyjoe415 it was McCoy AFB

[@randygraves5895]

I worked on the b52 and kc135 tankers, beautiful birds!

[@wmhoffman1622]

The B_-1B should never be taken out of service -- it is an awesome ground support bomber and stañd off missle truck for nuclear and conventional cruise missiles with super-sonic get away power. Sad to see it retired before it's time!

[@robertledford499]

What an awesome jet. A wise investment. I love this jet.

[@jamesthomas5895]

As an old Vietnam Vet, you could always tell when a BUFF was doing its thing, the ground shook for miles and miles, and fire and brimstone rained hell on those below it. All I can about the BUFF, GOD LOVE, and so does this old Marine

[@jerryjohnson8191]

I was at Eglin AFB in the early 60’s and James “Jimmy” Stewart the actor piloted his B-52 and landed and visited the SPecial Air Warefare Center where I worked. Got to meet and shake his hand.

[@AndrewVelonis]

Notice how clean and precise everything is. They take their time, but they do everything right. No lolly-gagging, no cutting corners, close supervision.

[@TheMrGREENRay]

there are too much money in the usa nowadays.

[@jimgates7819]

I was a crew chief of a SRAM (missile) crew at Barksdale in 1980-81. The SRAMs were mounted on the first of the rotary launchers and the system was very sophisticated for its time.

[@geraldmorain3166]

Fairchild 81-85

[@boogerdog5247]

Robert M. "Bob" Robbins, Boeing's XB-29 and XB-47 Test Pilot, was the Senior Project Engineer for the B-52. He was a brilliant man, M.I.T. and Carnegy Management Institute grad and my friend. We went to Whiteman, in 1999, and saw our first similars. A General flew us in, it was a special day. Bob has passed now, but as you can see, his legacy flies on. God Speed Bob Robbins.

[@sangvan4756]

Ông@@geraldmorain3166 "LL"Llllllll",,l

[@FMertz-zm1wc]

Truly an aviation wonder. When it comes to upgrades and length of service, I don’t know if there’s another aircraft that comes close.

[@philgiglio7922]

DC3 has a long service life also. Many are still flying today, may have a turboshaft rather than a radial recip, but the airframe is still intact

[@earlsmall9808]

@@philgiglio7922 Tankers too.

[@Bugdriver49]

@@philgiglio7922 You beat me to it......in fact as I remember...the DC-3/c-47 is the only aircraft with an unlimited airframe life.

[@berndhofmann752]

As a child I received a book with a description of a flight around the world without landing. It influences me all my life. A became engineer and later consultant. I like flighing. And the plane is unique

[@phil20_20]

It's a Steampunk Cockpit! Groovy Man! ✌️🤠👍

[@jaybee9269]

I believe the BUFF is getting new engines!

[@robertheinkel6225]

Contract has been awarded.

[@jaybee9269]

@@robertheinkel6225 >> Honeywell, if I’m not mistaken.

[@richarddrum9970]

I recall as a teenager living in NJ (1960’s) watching 52’s flying high and west in the late afternoon sun cradling two hound dog missiles, one under each inboard wing area coming home from patrol on the Atlantic. Saw them at Andrews AFB as well.

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

Growing up in Riverside (2 years after they were 1st delivered for use) , not far from where the base is , I saw a lot of these fly out of March AFB.

[@julioaranton5223]

"Nothing can stop the US AIR FORCE!"❤

[@johnjohnsn7633]

"Off we go into the wild blue yonder..."

[@julioaranton5223]

@@johnjohnsn7633 "Atta Boy Give Her The Gun!"

[@barrygrant2907]

The start cartridges are not "explosive." The powder inside burns rapidly, producing gas pressure to turn the starter.

[@fjb4932]

Barry, Correct. But burning rapidly does not have the same appeal as explosively does. Hell, i've even read a camping article where marshmallows were described as bursting explosively into flames. Scheesch. If these civilians want to talk about fast burning, let's bring up DetCord. . . .

[@MrDJAK777]

Can still fall under low explosive much like gun powder/cordite given the original were even cordite. Explosives are just the rapid generation and expansion of gas.

[@bronco5334]

@@MrDJAK777 There is a technical differentiation, though: explosive means the burn rate is faster than the speed of sound (IE, that it burns so fast that the pressure builds up into a pressure wave because the explosive produces gas faster than the gas can get out of the way). Real explosives ("high explosives") must have a supersonic burn rate. "Low explosives" technically do not explode at all, they deflagrate, and are therefore not really explosives in the first place.

[@johnjames4583]

I am 73 and was at Utapao on take off of a kc135 young tiger flight when the number 4 quit. They stopped the aircraft and quick maintain eye crew loaded a “start cartridge” to “fire” the engine. It may have not been an explosive, but being inside the aircraft sounded like one. I still have memory’s or maybe bad dreams.

[@sabirhussain6117]

Very nice and inspiring

[@vinnitca1990]

Inspiring for what?

[@kalenhicks4814]

I remember living in White Settlement which is a suburb of Fort Worth Tx where Lockheed Martin is located. Seeing them take off and hearing that iconic scream of the B52 was freakin awesome! I had seen and heard alot living across the street as a kid.

[@johnjohnsn7633]

That when the base across the runway from "Air Force Plant #4" ... the "GOCO" operated by Lockheed Martin ... was still known as Carswell Air Force Base in the Strategic Air Command (now "Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base Carswell Field"). I was Texas Air Guard Security Police CATM there for three years. It is now home to Naval Reserve Aviation, Marine Corps Reserve Aviation, Air Force Reserve (Air Combat) and Texas Air Guard (Air Mobility), among other units. It is also home of 10th Air Force.

[@kalenhicks4814]

@@johnjohnsn7633 thanks for the info! Just makes it even more interesting memories for me! Appreciate your service as well!

[@napeekapunpimtongnara9111]

the B-52 looks like a really powerful machine.

[@linlin-ip9yx]

Un sublime B52 j'adore se bombardier une sacré machine volant

[@ArmoryProjectOfficial]

The madness is, The B-52 will be in service for 100 years. Amazing. 😯😮

[@jrftworth]

Not quite, they're projected to be replaced when they hit 80 years of age

[@joewoodchuck3824]

Great planes. They should dust off the plans and make more of them. Few airplanes stand the test of time like this one.

[@kenkahre9262]

The engineering, the tool and dies - even the very industry and resources that built them - are all gone. Its much cheaper to maintain them, than it would be to build them anew. Same thing for the Saturn rockets and the battleships of yore. Its a bygone era.

[@jrandallmoore]

I was a B-52G gunner in the 69th Bomb Squadron at Loring AFB Maine.

[@cypilotiowan4761]

I bought the P8 fire truck from Loring a few years ago. Amazing place, and WIDE open to explore.

[@seawench555]

They are an incredible feat of engineering, but such a human catastrophe we even need them, or do we. Live in peace🇦🇺😁

[@johnking1896]

Remember this, ' It is better to retire and scrap a weapon system never used than to need it and NOT have it ', The U.S.A. is still here due to us building things as a 'DETERANT'.

[@HekateMGO]

If you want peace, prepare for war. The Putins and Xi Jinpings of the world aren't going to give up their weapons if we give up ours.

[@seawench555]

@@HekateMGO I totally understand that, I'm just saying, wouldn't it be phenomenal if there was no greed, hatred, jealousy etcetera, all that money spent on people who need it like everybody. I'm more than relieved that we are armed, and ill be right there with whatever I can pick up to protect our Democratic society, just wish it wasn't needed. Thanks guys 🇦🇺

[@Frankie5Angels150]

Start cartridges don’t jump start the generators. They start the engines themselves.

[@rcpmac]

This is a video on the B-52 where I learned what the payload capacity of the B1B Lancer is but not that of the B-52

[@ph11p3540]

So nice the Airforce held onto these B-52. Best bang for the airforce buck. All the bugs were ironed out with lessons learned in the B-47 Stratojet program. The B-52 made up for all the failures of the B-47

[@timothyunell4872]

I was stationed at griffiss Air Force Base 83 to 87. I worked on weather equipment. Which is at the end of the runway. I saw many b-52's from 50 ft above. I think the f106 was louder

[@toddbrooks2063]

I worked at Griffins in 1975 and 1976 building 2 anechoic chambers in the RADC building .

[@samsignorelli]

We were at Griffiss at the same time! 485th EIG (the same building as the BX).

[@altonwilliams7117]

I was in Bossier City Louisiana taking my car to the shop and I saw something huge out of the corner of my eye then looked and a huge B52 bomber was touching down on the runway right across the street from me. I love going to the airshows at Barksdale AFB. 🇺🇸

[@teeess9551]

I was based at Marys AFB in the thirties and I still have fond memories of these flying overhead while I was under the sergeants desk pleasuring him. He thanked me for my service.

[@uchiennguyen5671]

I'm from the south of Viet nam. Now, I am 63, so I understand the Viet nam war. B52 was considered "phao dai bay" that time. In 1972, many B52 planes flew in the sky, which I could see until their smoke from them disappeared. I also listened on radio some didn't come home and pilots caught. Surprisingly, they are being used thanks to their deep modernisation. This is the plane, perhaps

[@nicholasmarino1733]

Hi, American Air Force is the best in the world bar NONE. I was proud to serve. I would do it again if need be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@destroyerarmor2846]

One day we shall defeat USA, trust me🙏

[@hastyone9048]

My brother served in Vietnam in the 26th Marines during the three month battle of Khe San In 1968. He told me every day was hell on earth. The only time these soldiers had any psychological and physical relief was when they heard the distinct roar of the B-52’s as they approached. Once the NVA heard them all shelling stopped and that was the ONLY time our Marines had a chance to relax and slow the flow of adrenaline. He called them “angels from Heaven”. Sadly, the massive ordinance dropped on NVA positions didn’t have the desired effect they hoped for as fighting continued once the Bombers were well clear of their missions.

[@Frankie5Angels150]

Sadly, either your brother or you made that up. My money’s on you. At the altitudes B-52s fly, they are silent from the ground. The NVA and Cong called them “Whispering Death.”

[@frankmiller95]

@@Frankie5Angels150 You misspelled your own first name, President Muffley. Obviously old age dementia is taking its toll, since you're now over 100 years old. Norman Lear, who's close to the same age still seems to have all his marbles and is as sharp as ever.

[@MurpheeLaw]

@@Frankie5Angels150 This.

[@hastyone9048]

@@Frankie5Angels150 …I am aware they flew at 20,000’ and lower in certain circumstances. And I have no reason to make up a story as I was not there. Unless you were, you should not speculate on these facts. Ask any Marine that WAS there, during this horrific protracted fight, what the B52’s did and how they knew (aside from previous intel) they were coming. You are saying it was pure coincidence that the NVA halted artillery missions moments before the B52’s arrived because they were psychic? Additionally, the sound of 500-750lb bombshells dropped from nose heights made a distinct sound as well.

[@googlesucks4859]

Use to work on these beast as a EWS Tech, in the 80s. It's built to last.

[@DigitalMoose]

Thanks for keeping the ALQ-155s, 172, etc running tight. I rarely had any malfunctioning EW equipment. Cheers

[@dinkoz1]

Now that was interesting to see thermonuclear warheads mounted in air-launched cruise missiles with the bottom facing forward.

[@larryrobertson4099]

Beg to differ. I flew B52s and was on SAC alert as a pilot. We had rotary launchers in the 70s during the cold war for Scrams and Quails; missiles and not bombs.

[@dicktomasko1553]

AGM-69 SRAM was on a launcher. I think 8..I was at Minot in the 70's and loaded the Srams on the launcher..

[@toddbrooks2063]

Hey Larry I worked Rome Air Development Center at Griffiss AFB in support of the avionics for ALCM's back in mid 1970's . I was blessed with a tour of a mocked up fully loaded BUFF . ALL I CAN SAY IS " DAMN" !! And thanks for your service . My dad was a bombardier/ Navigator in a B-26 Marauder during WW2 . He did over a hundred missions and was awarded " DFC " . One more time THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY !!

[@larryrobertson4099]

@@toddbrooks2063 Thanks. Some more info on the BUFF. It started being designed in 1947, my birth year. The last one, a B52H model, was delivered in 1962. I flew the 'G' model in the 70s and it was old then. They are still flying the 'H'. No other military plane has that record.. Well, maybe the C47 (DC3) in other roles. And I flew the EC47 in the Vietnam conflict out of DaNang before I trained and flew the B52 out of Gaum in the same Vietnam conflict. After that was over, I joined the cold war defense of our country first on alert in Guam then on alert back in the US. I guess I just like to fly old airplanes .

[@larryrobertson4099]

@@dicktomasko1553 So you man-handled nuke missiles. Not a job I would like. We had the * SRAMs on the rotary launcher in the back bomb bay with two B53 gravity nukes in the front bomb bay.

[@dicktomasko1553]

@@larryrobertson4099 yes and the gravity jobs also. It was an interesting 4 years.

[@35Prospect]

11 hour process? Not what I would call ease of use or swift to deploy!

[@simonshotter8960]

What would you have done mate?

[@michaeljohnson4258]

The system is preflight checked to make sure it works properly. The USAF is known for ensuring systems work inflight so missions can be completed.

[@simonshotter8960]

@@michaeljohnson4258 as If 11 hours is a long time to load up 1000’s of lbs of bombs on a plane that can do 35 hour bomb runs.

[@michaeljohnson4258]

@@simonshotter8960 Many people do not know the amount of time needed to preflight a plane for a mission and the USAF was very meticulous unlike the Navy trying to get planes off a carrier deck ASAP.

[@dmacpher]

@@michaeljohnson4258 depends on ready status doesn’t it? They still preflight in the navy - but they have hot standby status(s) if varying degrees and a time period a plane can sit at each status. USAF and RAF did same thing during Cold War. Heck operation chrome dome had planes running tracks up north 24/7 carrying hot nukes

[@khiem1939]

What is AWESOME is observing a three aircraft "Arclight" bombing mission by B-52s! In Vietnam in 1970 information I obtained from a POW interrogation partially was why a "Arclight" mission was conducted on the Pineapple Forest, about 5 miles to the West of our Advisor Team in Tam Ky to destroy several hundred 122mm and 140mm rockets stored in deep bunkers there! The mission was conducted at 0700 while we were having breakfast and at first we though we were coming under attack and ran out of the messhall where we observed the 3 x B-52 "Arclight", bombs were exploding on the ground while they were still being dropped by the aircraft. For most of that day we continued to hear secondary explosions of that enemy ammunition dump! YES, AWESOME!

[@oneshotonekill8176]

That particular system the rotation delivery is close to the heart and yes that bird is still in the air after many freaking years

[@warrenpuckett4203]

Air superiority does not always come in a Mach 2+ package. Sometimes it floats or flies at less than Mach 1.

[@thuggeegaming659]

Only to be destroyed by an S-400 system. Air superiority is easy to achieve against an enemy with no anti-air capability.

[@hubertkaiser8581]

Warren, less than Mach 1, Mach 0.01 o lesssss.

[@Jabba.Da.Hutt_]

@@thuggeegaming659 you say that but the S-400 can even defend Russia and the land it occupies… you really wanna lean on the S-400 for protection… cuz I wouldn’t.

[@thuggeegaming659]

@@Jabba.Da.Hutt_ There's a reason why both sides have devolved to hurling artillery at each other. Air power has been completely shut down, neither side can assert air units behind the front lines. If America went up against any near peer, all their air forces would be grounded, every single B-52 or A-10 would be shot out of the sky.

[@allangibson2408]

And then Boeing proposed a 747 variant with two bomb bays each with six rotary launchers rigged so they could rotate into launch position.

[@Kangenpower7]

They Really need to retire the B-52! And the 747 version would be wonderful, so only a few of the planes could take the place of several B-52's! And have a cockpit large enough for crews sleeping quarters, carry a week worth of meals, ect. Shortly after take off, they could take on enough fuel to fly for 12+ hours!

[@sanjivjhangiani3243]

One advantage of using the B-52 is a wealth of maintenance knowledge in the ground crews. If, say, you have an oil leak, the teams know where to look.

[@allangibson2408]

@@sanjivjhangiani3243 If not they can ring their grandfather for advice…

[@robertheinkel6225]

The B-21 is already on the drawing boards and should be flying soon. It is another flying wing design, but smaller than the B-2 bomber

[@tedmccullen7466]

Awesome show thank you!

[@timothyunell4872]

Watching The elephant Walk was kind of cool though

[@jessicabuckman9675]

The Russians are deathly affraid of the B-52 bomber.

[@BARRACUDA009]

Rly?

[@glcmranger421]

Okkay.

[@jamesgreen8573]

Did they tell you that or you just thought it sounded good

[@slobama]

Yeah, just like the North Vietnamese were! How many did they shoot down?

[@glcmranger421]

@@jamesgreen8573 …or she’s Russian and afraid?

[@REPSDirect]

But it's still a big sitting duck from ground, air-to-air and satellites missiles.

[@michaeljohnson4258]

That is why it carries long range standoff weapons so it does not need to fly into the SAM envelope.

[@CLA250_4Matic]

Several years ago, I saw a B-52 flew over me at the Osan AB festival in South Korea. I thanked god for being I'm not North Korean or Chinese. She was still big from far away and looked like a flying monster but beautiful.

[@surtt]

Now considered an important part of the US strategic bomber force? What was it consider to be for the last 65 some years?

[@rainieresguerra4780]

Very huge and very slow. How would these survive hypersonic anti-aircraft missiles or supersonic fighter/attack planes?

[@rizaradri316]

Bombers like B-52 and Russian Tu-95 are no longer delivering bombs directly to the target. Instead both Tu-95 and B-52 are being used as "cruise missile truck". So, these bombers are going to launch salvos of cruise missiles from far away and return to base. If you want to send bombs directly to the target you have supersonic bombers like B-1, Tu-22M3 and Tu-160 or stealth bomber like B-2 Spirit.

[@liamanderson4992]

As the person below wrote, B 52s are used to fire stand off weapons, such as cruise missiles. Additionally, they are used for close in bombing in uncontested air space, such as in Afghanistan against the Taliban or against Iraq after their Air Force and SAMs were neutralized.

[@robertheinkel6225]

The new B-21 is already being built to replace the older bomber. It is another flying wing design.

[@xxxxxx-tq4mw]

Does China 🇨🇳 have an equivalent to the B1 Lancer yet,and did Hunter give them the schematics as part of his family’s billion dollar deal ?

[@fiftycal1]

The last B-52 Model (The H) was delivered to o The USAF in 1963. That means the newest model is 60 years old. The plane has a unique stance in the air - as the analog systems from the 60’s have long since been replaced by much lighter digital ones - shifting The CG (Center of Gravity) of the plane. The most amazing plane I’ve ever viewed is The XB-70. Hard to believe such an awe inspiring plane was designed in the 1960’s - with engineers for the most part using slide rules. There were only two built. The second one was destroyed in a mid-air collision with a F-104. The first is at Wright-Pat. It managed Mach 3.08 - but had engineering issues.

[@MalachiWhite-tw7hl]

I think the rotary-launched SRAMs were an even more impressive idea.

[@markmonse5285]

I grew up in the 60s in Cincinnati and managed to get to Wright-Pat once on a scout field trip. Now, some 50+ years later, I think I'm overdue for another visit..even though I'm now in Texas..

[@lawrence17201]

i Worked on the B-52 H, / TF-33 engines (8 engines) this is a very awesome airplane. i worked on the engines 60 years ago at the Wurthsmith Airforce base.

[@Silverback0687]

Watched BUFFs take off ,three in quick succession from Fairford UK during OIF in 2003, impressive if smokey!

[@scottydouglass1892]

I worked these at Loring AFB me. They were a pain in the butt to work on. Tons of maintenance

[@emmanuelgoldstein1918]

When I was a crewman on the B-52 years ago, we called it a Bombay. I hear today, they call it a Mumbai.

[@vettemuziekjes]

The Colt45 revolver has come a long way 😲

[@scottallberry6713]

Used to work on the big trailers. Insanely complex piece of equipment. At barksdale we didn't use numbers on them, we named the individual trailers

[@kenkahre9262]

Its astounding to me that they are already retiring the Lancers.

[@w.d.g.]

i miss being around them so much!

[@JamieSmith-fz2mz]

You’re going to have to say that much louder! My hearing is shot. Yes, I was an SP at a northern tier SAC base working the C Ramp most nights, why do you ask?