Interesting B-52 article on BBC website
Discussion
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-33766644
Interesting reading and still going to be flying round the world into the 2040's.
Interesting reading and still going to be flying round the world into the 2040's.
BBC said:
You can forget that idea, says Ward.
"It is a pig to fly. It's a dump truck. I equate it to herding buffalo.
"You turn the yoke… nothing happens. Turn it again… nothing happens. You turn it the third time, and the first instruction is kicking in.
"It's not nimble. But you come to respect it."
Pity Bud Holland didn't adhere to that last statement....."It is a pig to fly. It's a dump truck. I equate it to herding buffalo.
"You turn the yoke… nothing happens. Turn it again… nothing happens. You turn it the third time, and the first instruction is kicking in.
"It's not nimble. But you come to respect it."
I was reading that earlier, very interesting and informative article. Especially as I have a mild fascination for the B52, but have never seen one fly 
Can't help but thinking the picture of the 'downed B-52 in Vietnam' picture is not a B-52 though. Not an expert in aviation by any means, but I do know what a prop looks like...
[EDIT - Didn't read the caption properly. Ignore me.]
Can't help but thinking the picture of the 'downed B-52 in Vietnam' picture is not a B-52 though. Not an expert in aviation by any means, but I do know what a prop looks like...
[EDIT - Didn't read the caption properly. Ignore me.]
hstewie said:How come they're able to extend the life up until 2040 - if the last left the production line in 1962, that's near enough eighty years old. As I understand it, the Vulcan was grounded because of the hours on the airframe (and engine support), which is why the BBMF can still fly; the stresses on airframes of prop planes is less than of jets. So how come they can extend that far; or have I been told wrongly previously?!
The version that remains in service is the B-52H. They were designated B-52H when they were new in 1962 - but they have received many upgrades since.
There is no comparison with keeping the Vulcan flying as an airshow performer on donated monies and keeping a key element of your nation's strategic defence in service.
There is no comparison with keeping the Vulcan flying as an airshow performer on donated monies and keeping a key element of your nation's strategic defence in service.
I visited Texas in 1981 and saw a number of B-52Ds undergoing maintenance at Kelly Air Force Base. I was also overflown by two B-52Ds at low level flying wingtip to wingtip - which was pretty impressive.
Back then, the B-52D, G and H models were still in service although the Ds were being withdrawn.
Back then, the B-52D, G and H models were still in service although the Ds were being withdrawn.
Eric Mc said:
The version that remains in service is the B-52H. They were designated B-52H when they were new in 1962 - but they have received many upgrades since.
There is no comparison with keeping the Vulcan flying as an airshow performer on donated monies and keeping a key element of your nation's strategic defence in service.
Ok. I completely understand that. So ostensibly, you could say that if the Vulan per example received the relevant updates (as with Tornadoes et al) they may still be flying (assuming there's still a use, this is a hypothetical question).There is no comparison with keeping the Vulcan flying as an airshow performer on donated monies and keeping a key element of your nation's strategic defence in service.
muppetdave said:
Ok. I completely understand that. So ostensibly, you could say that if the Vulan per example received the relevant updates (as with Tornadoes et al) they may still be flying (assuming there's still a use, this is a hypothetical question).
All it needs to keep anything going is money and willpower. UK Govt had neither (and the V-bomber fleet was in theory at least superseded by Polaris). Had the Vulcan been invented in 1940 there'd probably have been thousands of them.If the UK felt there was a need for an aeroplane like the Vulcan back in 1982/83, they could, of course, have engaged in continuous update programmes which could have kept them flying right up to now. Indeed, they had received some updgrades in their 20 odd years of front line service. But it had been decided before the end of the 1960s that a brand new aircraft, the Tornado, would replace the Vulcans.
You need to remember that, in total, there were only 136 Vulcans built of which 89 were the B2 variant. Total production of the B-52 was over 750. With 75 B-52s still in service, this means that 1/10 of the total production run remains active. If the RAF had applied a similar ratio to keeping a Vulcan fleet going, that would result in maybe 12 flying airframes.
You need to remember that, in total, there were only 136 Vulcans built of which 89 were the B2 variant. Total production of the B-52 was over 750. With 75 B-52s still in service, this means that 1/10 of the total production run remains active. If the RAF had applied a similar ratio to keeping a Vulcan fleet going, that would result in maybe 12 flying airframes.
Next time you touch-down at Orlando International Airport, be mindful that this field was McCoy AFB (hence MCO code) until mid 70's. It was home to the 306th Bombardment Wing and many, many Operation Linebacker and Rolling Thunder sorties flew BUFF's from Orlando to SE Asia (most stopping off in Guam for a refill).
There is a B52 Memorial Park on the northern perimeter of the airport (just right of the airport exit ramp from Rt 528 Beachline Expressway) with a retired B52D as it's centerpiece.
There is also a B52 memorial less than a mile to the north of the airport on South Conway Road, that identifies the spot where a B52 crashed onto a residential street, while attempting to return to the field after experiencing multiple engine failures on take-off in 1972.
There is a lot of B-52 history in this area.
There is a B52 Memorial Park on the northern perimeter of the airport (just right of the airport exit ramp from Rt 528 Beachline Expressway) with a retired B52D as it's centerpiece.
There is also a B52 memorial less than a mile to the north of the airport on South Conway Road, that identifies the spot where a B52 crashed onto a residential street, while attempting to return to the field after experiencing multiple engine failures on take-off in 1972.
There is a lot of B-52 history in this area.
Edited by Matt Harper on Tuesday 15th December 17:35
Perhaps a 'well-thumbed' clip on here, but demonstrates the capability of this machine in less than optimum circumstances.
https://youtu.be/WJuEAQbxWRo
https://youtu.be/WJuEAQbxWRo
muppetdave said:
How come they're able to extend the life up until 2040 - if the last left the production line in 1962, that's near enough eighty years old. As I understand it, the Vulcan was grounded because of the hours on the airframe (and engine support), which is why the BBMF can still fly; the stresses on airframes of prop planes is less than of jets. So how come they can extend that far; or have I been told wrongly previously?!
How many more times does this have to be said. The Vulcan is being retired because support for the airframe and engines has been withdrawn by manufacturers Airbus and Rolls Royce. It's got nowt to do with hours on the airframe (or fatigue index to give it it's proper term). I've no doubt the engines would have been a bigger problem in later life as there just aren't any spare ones out there. Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff