The undercarriage can be swiveled to address cross winds. No need to straighten up just before touchdown - just land crooked because the wheels are in line with the runway. Useful in crosswind take offs as well it appears. There looks to be a stiff breeze left to right here.
Once I got my Pilot's permit, I used to go out to Fairchild AFB and watch takeoffs and landings of the BUFFs. That rotatable gear would've made takeoffs and landings in a quartering crosswind a helluva lot easier than with I was trying to do in a Cessna 172!!
Watch the wings carefully. When you see them curve UPwards the plane is at V1 and V2 comes shortly thereafter. The wingtips, BTW, can move 10 FEET in flexion when taking off. A full combat load will actually cause the BUFF to "flap" its wings. Truly a sight to behold... saw that on the flightline on Minot AFB many times!
You're right, they are. Check this out. Could be the first Military jet flown by great grampa, grampa, dad, then grandson. https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/our-first-look-at-what-fully-upgraded-b-52-bombers-will-look-like
As a lad, living in Sacramento, we had a sac base, Mather AFB, we used to watch BUFF's do take offs and landings, in fact one went down and all 9 died, rumint w nukes onboard...
AF security was dispatched w jeeps and m-60's and armed guys to keep press and idtiots away w shoot to kill orders apparently. Also, McClellan AFB was a depot, repaird craft, also U2's used to take off, and i'd watch em from my bike at the end of the runway. Both craft were things of beauty to watch...
I was at Mather in '74-75. Just used the link to the accident summary. Training flight, apparently a local sorty. There was undoubtedly classified electronics on board, but no way would that aircraft have been armed, much less with nukes.
There are B-52 pilots flying today who's grandfathers also flew B-52's when they were new. A friend of mine flew the "B" model and likened it to driving a semi with no power brakes or steering.
I was at Mather in '74-75. Just read the accident summary via the link. The mission was a local training sortie loaded with students. There would likely have been electronic equipment onboard deemed classified, but no way would an aircraft like that have been armed, much less with nukes. Not a. chance.
No problem, they'll have Rolls-Royce engines soon. https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/this-is-what-the-b-52-will-look-like-with-its-new-rolls-royce-engines The B52 may become the first aircraft to be in service for 100 years. Al_in_Ottawa
Used to drive out the Perimeter Road @ Robins AFB to watch the B52s take off and land. When the wind was blowing the wrong way they would take off right over the barracks. No noise suppression on military jets, it would damn near shake the windows right out of the frames.
Is he taking off in a hurricane? That’s some crazy crosswind he’s fighting (if that’s real).
ReplyDeleteGrowing up in Wichita, this was not an uncommon sight. I remember picking up Dad from work and seeing B-52s with tail guns!
ReplyDeleteFrom back when I was in flight training:
ReplyDeleteWhat are the saddest three words in the Air Force?
“Fuel on eight…..”
Care to elaborate so we know what the hell you're talking about??
DeleteCare to elaborate so we know what the hell you're talking about ??
DeleteThe undercarriage can be swiveled to address cross winds. No need to straighten up just before touchdown - just land crooked because the wheels are in line with the runway. Useful in crosswind take offs as well it appears. There looks to be a stiff breeze left to right here.
ReplyDeleteOnce I got my Pilot's permit, I used to go out to Fairchild AFB and watch takeoffs and landings of the BUFFs. That rotatable gear would've made takeoffs and landings in a quartering crosswind a helluva lot easier than with I was trying to do in a Cessna 172!!
ReplyDeleteWatch the wings carefully. When you see them curve UPwards the plane is at V1 and V2 comes shortly thereafter. The wingtips, BTW, can move 10 FEET in flexion when taking off. A full combat load will actually cause the BUFF to "flap" its wings. Truly a sight to behold... saw that on the flightline on Minot AFB many times!
God Bless the pilots.
ReplyDeletestory time with Grandpa Buff...
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E_WzxNlOXI
Just awesome!
ReplyDeleteTake that ya dirty rotten commies.
ReplyDeleteCrabbin, and not on a beach. Fully loaded, those wheels near the wing tips keep the tips from dragging. When a kid my neighbors Dad was a pilot
ReplyDeleteI walk like that.
ReplyDeleteI thought that they were putting new generation engines on those things.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, they are. Check this out. Could be the first Military jet flown by great grampa, grampa, dad, then grandson. https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/our-first-look-at-what-fully-upgraded-b-52-bombers-will-look-like
DeleteThe fact that that big ugly fecker flies at all is a bit amazing.
ReplyDeleteAnd stil in use
DeleteAs a lad, living in Sacramento, we had a sac base, Mather AFB, we used to watch BUFF's do take offs and landings, in fact one went down and all 9 died, rumint w nukes onboard...
ReplyDeletehttps://www.baaa-acro.com/crash/crash-boeing-b-52g-80-bw-stratofortress-mather-afb-9-killed
AF security was dispatched w jeeps and m-60's and armed guys to keep press and idtiots away w shoot to kill orders apparently.
Also, McClellan AFB was a depot, repaird craft, also U2's used to take off, and i'd watch em from my bike at the end of the runway.
Both craft were things of beauty to watch...
I was at Mather in '74-75. Just used the link to the accident summary. Training flight, apparently a local sorty. There was undoubtedly classified electronics on board, but no way would that aircraft have been armed, much less with nukes.
DeleteWe machine a lot of air frame parts for those things. And at least once a week I mumble "I can't believe they're still flying those things".
ReplyDeleteThat’s kickass
DeleteThere are B-52 pilots flying today who's grandfathers also flew B-52's when they were new. A friend of mine flew the "B" model and likened it to driving a semi with no power brakes or steering.
ReplyDeleteI was at Mather in '74-75. Just read the accident summary via the link. The mission was a local training sortie loaded with students. There would likely have been electronic equipment onboard deemed classified, but no way would an aircraft like that have been armed, much less with nukes. Not a. chance.
ReplyDeleteAwesome pilots. Who knew you could do drifting in a B52!
ReplyDeletePollutes too much, whole fleet should be grounded.
ReplyDelete"Pollutes too much, whole fleet should be grounded."
DeleteAs my Drill Sgt once said - 'Him him'
Platoon - Him! Him! F$#k Him...
No problem, they'll have Rolls-Royce engines soon.
Deletehttps://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/this-is-what-the-b-52-will-look-like-with-its-new-rolls-royce-engines
The B52 may become the first aircraft to be in service for 100 years.
Al_in_Ottawa
Used to drive out the Perimeter Road @ Robins AFB to watch the B52s take off and land. When the wind was blowing the wrong way they would take off right over the barracks. No noise suppression on military jets, it would damn near shake the windows right out of the frames.
ReplyDelete