B-52 Stratofotress: We Make Nightmares

[Lankan Ranger]

B-52 Stratofotress: We Make Nightmares


YouTube - Boeing B-52G Stratofortress in Operation Desert Storm

 

[Super Falcon]

well looks only for arpe bombing or nukes i think

 

[LeGenD]

well looks only for arpe bombing or nukes i think

Actually, it is capable of delivering a large variety of conventional and nuclear weapons.

This bomber was used to fire cruise missiles and guided bombs during the recent Iraqi invasion.

Besides, it is a very strong plane and can wreak havok on targets. It can survive even direct missile hits.

Also, B-52G model has been retired. The existing fleet comprises of B-52H models.

 

[Super Falcon]

thanx for info but it can not survive against SAM for sure

 

[Chogy]

thanx for info but it can not survive against SAM for sure

Being very large, it has the luxury of carrying an enormous suite of the most advanced ECM imaginable. I'm not saying it is invulnerable, because that is ridiculous, but it's a harder nut to crack than many think.

Besides, it would probably not be used over active air defense. That is the job of the B-2. Once the air defense is suppressed, and there is air superiority, that's when this lumbering beast with its giant payload comes into play.

 

[TexasJohn]

Some time back, buff flew over my hose in Arlington (on it's way to Carswell, I assume). He was flying low and must not have been using all 8 engines. I was surprised at quiet it was.

Chogy, is that possible? ( flying on say 4 out of 8 engines?)

I was more using to seeing them during the cold war days thwn Carswell was a SAC base. Bleching black smoke and loud as heck.

Watched a MITO once. Impressive and sounded like drawn out thunder!!

 

[Chogy]

Some time back, buff flew over my hose in Arlington (on it's way to Carswell, I assume). He was flying low and must not have been using all 8 engines. I was surprised at quiet it was.

Chogy, is that possible? ( flying on say 4 out of 8 engines?)

I was more using to seeing them during the cold war days thwn Carswell was a SAC base. Bleching black smoke and loud as heck.

Watched a MITO once. Impressive and sounded like drawn out thunder!!

The noise level was probably because he was in a descent rather than a climb... engines spooled back. Loss of one engine for these guys means little, and it was pretty common in the early days with less-than-reliable turbojets to have to shut one down. 2 gone, still not a problem. 3, and now I'm sure your weight becomes an issue. Beyond that, I'd just be guessing, but a BUFF with no payload and partial fuel, I'd say that yes it could fly on 4 engines. BUT, they'd need to be on both sides. One entire side shut down, that'd be very bad.

It's an impressive beast, for sure. It's predecessor, the B-36, was also gigantic, but it never dropped a bomb in anger, ever.

 

[TexasJohn]

I love the B-36!! Big, bad and beautiful.

I actually have a scale model kit of it with a 2ft.wing span that I will be putting together this year ( New Year resolution to bring back my hobby) now that I have a brand new airbrush.

Stay tuned. I may have to post those on WAB ( where my other models are). I think they removed the scale model section here.

 

[Gold1010]

b-52s a monster

 

[Chogy]

I love the B-36!! Big, bad and beautiful.

I actually have a scale model kit of it with a 2ft.wing span that I will be putting together this year ( New Year resolution to bring back my hobby) now that I have a brand new airbrush.

Stay tuned. I may have to post those on WAB ( where my other models are). I think they removed the scale model section here.

Just look at that sucker... 6 giant propellers, AND 4 turbojets on pods outside of them. That was in the day when one jet engine gave you 8,000 pounds of thrust. Now, the Boeing 777 Rolls-Royce Trent engines deliver 100,000 pounds each. All 10 of those engines could probably be replaced by 2 Trent turbofans.

Right now, there are NO examples that can fly. One is in the process of being restored in Ft. Worth, I believe, to flying condition. Their size and complexity is frightening.

 

[Chogy]

B-36 next to the WW2 B-29, already a monster:

Wing Span: 230' / 70 meters
Gross weight: 400,000 pounds +/-

B-52

Wing Span 185' (much less than the B-36)
Gross weight - ~500,000 pounds

So the B-52 was significantly smaller, but heavier, than the B-36. The jet engines allowed this. Now, some of the Russian super-cargo jets like the giant Antonov easily crack 1,000,000 pounds, over twice the gross weight of the B-52. Incredible.

 

[TexasJohn]

B-36 being restored in Ft.Worth? you mean at the hanger near Alliance? I have visited "Chuckie" the B-17. I did not think they had enough room..I should check it out!!

Also the turbojets on the B-36, aren't they the same they used on early B-52, and on the B-57? or do I have the models mixed up?

 

[VCheng]

I have a few shots of the B-36 taken at the Air Force Museum in Daytona somewhere. That plane is a BIG MUTHA F****R for sure!

 

[Chogy]

B-36 being restored in Ft.Worth? you mean at the hanger near Alliance? I have visited "Chuckie" the B-17. I did not think they had enough room..I should check it out!!

Also the turbojets on the B-36, aren't they the same they used on early B-52, and on the B-57? or do I have the models mixed up?

I might be wrong on that... I hope not. But a few years ago, I read of a group trying to get one airworthy. Apparently, Ft. Worth was a major production site for the B-36.

I'm not sure on the jets, but there were SO many B-36 variants, I'd be surprised if there weren't some that used the same engine. The original plan for the B-36 was to bomb Hitler from bases in the U.S. if WW2 went bad. It was on the drawing boards during WW2, which meant the original plan was to use nothing but piston engines. Six of the B-29 powerplant, IIRC.

Its maximum payload was more than four times that of the B-29, even exceeding that of the B-52. The B-36 was slow and could not refuel in midair, but could fly missions to targets 3,400 mi (5,500 km) away and stay aloft as long as 40 hours.[3] Moreover, the B-36 was believed to have "an ace up its sleeve": a phenomenal cruising altitude for a piston-driven aircraft, made possible by its huge wing area and six 28-cylinder engines, putting it out of range of all piston fighters, early jet interceptors, and ground batteries.[3]

Anyway, cool airplane for sure. VCheng, do you have any pics you can post?

 

[VCheng]

These are the two that I can find for now:


B-36 wing by vcheng552000, on Flickr


B-36 by vcheng552000, on Flickr