| Boeing B-52 Stratofortress |
Many, myself included, consider the B-52 to be the greatest American combat aircraft of all time. The
B-52 was developed in the late 40's - early 50's with its first flight in April of 1952. The last one was
built in 1962. It served as a nuclear weapons capable deterrent during the Cold War as well as seeing
action in Vietnam, Desert Storm, Bosnia, Kosovo and, most recently, the war in Afghanistan. While the
B-52 force is getting smaller, there are currently no plans to retire the B-52 and it will go on protecting
our country for many years to come.
B-52 was developed in the late 40's - early 50's with its first flight in April of 1952. The last one was
built in 1962. It served as a nuclear weapons capable deterrent during the Cold War as well as seeing
action in Vietnam, Desert Storm, Bosnia, Kosovo and, most recently, the war in Afghanistan. While the
B-52 force is getting smaller, there are currently no plans to retire the B-52 and it will go on protecting
our country for many years to come.
B-52G from the 92nd Bomb Wing Photographed at its home base, Fairchild AFB, near Spokane, Washington in November of 1981.
Same aircraft as above.
A 92nd B-52G makes a low pass at an airshow. Fairchild AFB, May 1982.
Three photographs showing a B-52H and
NKC-135A in a mock refuelling pass at an
airshow. Edwards AFB, California, 1988.
NKC-135A in a mock refuelling pass at an
airshow. Edwards AFB, California, 1988.
| ABOVE AND BELOW: This B-52D was displayed outside at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in the 1970's and 1980's. This same aircraft is now displayed indoors in the "Modern Flight Gallery". |
ABOVE AND BELOW: B-52D on display at the U.S.S. Alabama memorial in Mobile, Alabama.
B-52G with modifications made later in the aircraft's life. Treaties made with the Soviet Union in the
1980's required that B-52G's equipped to use cruise missiles be modified so that they would be
visually identifiable. The modifications included changes to the wing root area and tail fin. Compare
the wing root of this B-52G with the older B-52G at the very top of this page. This aircraft was
photographed in England in the early 1990's. All B-52G aircraft are now retired from service.
1980's required that B-52G's equipped to use cruise missiles be modified so that they would be
visually identifiable. The modifications included changes to the wing root area and tail fin. Compare
the wing root of this B-52G with the older B-52G at the very top of this page. This aircraft was
photographed in England in the early 1990's. All B-52G aircraft are now retired from service.
B-52H. The "H" model was the last of the B-52 line. B-52H aircraft
are still in service.
are still in service.
A B-52H makes an airshow pass at RAF Fairford in England. The last B-52
built was a B-52H that came out of the factory in 1962. The aircrews that fly
these airplanes today are much younger than that!
built was a B-52H that came out of the factory in 1962. The aircrews that fly
these airplanes today are much younger than that!
A B-52G with everything hanging out makes a low
pass at RAF Mildenhall, England in the late 1980's.
pass at RAF Mildenhall, England in the late 1980's.
Same B-52G as above, this time flaps and landing
gear are retracted. Bomb bay doors are open.
gear are retracted. Bomb bay doors are open.
This sort of nose art is no longer allowed.
A B-52H from the 92nd Bomb Wing.
ABOVE AND BELOW: A B-52G begins a take-off run at an airshow at RAF Mildenhall in England. Circa 1990.
Same B-52G as above, landing after its
airshow display with drag chute deployed.
airshow display with drag chute deployed.
Last but not least: A B-52H in company with the bomber that was supposed to replace it, the
B-1B "Lancer". The way things look, B-52's will still be in service when the last B-1 is retired!!!
B-1B "Lancer". The way things look, B-52's will still be in service when the last B-1 is retired!!!
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