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If there was an award for longevity in service for combat aircraft, then Boeing's mighty B-52 Stratofortress would
be the plane to beat. Aside from over 50 years having passed since the prototype's first flight (in 1952), the "newest"
B-52 airframe is over 40 years old (delivered in 1962); we are now in the position of some current aircrew actually being
the grandchildren of former B-52 crew members! The B-52 was an icon of the Cold War and, particularly, of the awesome
nuclear muscle which the Strategic Air Command could deploy (its starring role in Dr. Strangelove further cemented
the public's connection between the Stratofortress and nuclear war). It also became a much-feared conventional weapon,
beginning with its use in Vietnam and continuing through to the latest conflict with Iraq. The B-52 is probably one
of the 10 most recognizable military aircraft ever to the general public, and its importance in aviation history cannot be
overstated.
To me, the B-52 is perhaps the most awe-inspiring warplane I have ever seen fly, although I never had the good fortune
to see either a B-36 or the XB-70 in the air. The huge wing and eight roaring engines (with lots of smoke pouring out
of the older J57-powered versions, especially at takeoff!) give the Stratofortress an ominous yet strangely graceful
appearance in flight, and its sheer bulk on the ground cannot fail to impress.
These photos show a small selection of markings from B-52Gs and B-52Hs during the twilight years of their service with
Strategic Air Command, before it was disbanded and the bomber units assigned to Air Combat Command. By all accounts,
the last of the B-52Hs will be around for a long time to come, perhaps until 2025 - when the airframes will be over 60 years
old. BUFFs forever!
The heading photo shows a B-52G from the 7nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, starting its takeoff roll on departure
from London airport in 1996. The "LA" tail code indicates its assignment to Air Combat Command, in contrast to the SAC
B-52s featured below.
Special Delivery was a B-52G-100-BW, serial number 58-0204, from the 524th Bombardment Squadron, 379th Bombardment
Wing based at Wurtsmith AFB in Michigan. During SAC's twilight years, regulations against nose art were relaxed and
numbers of B-52s and FB-111s began sporting a variety of images, many with Second World War connections. This photo
shows well the plethora of bumps that the B-52 accumulated over the years as it struggled to stay ahead of Soviet air
defence systems. During Operation Desert Storm, this B-52 was detached to the 806th Bombardment Wing (Provisional) at
RAF Fairford, England, and flew six combat missions.
Special Delivery's tail was adorned with the "Triangle K" marking which dated back to the 379th's days as part
of the 8th Air Force, flying B-17s from Kimbolton, England. The aircraft is camouflaged in the "Strategic" scheme of
FS36081 Dark Gray and FS34086 Dark Green. At the bottom right of the picture can be seen the four .50 calibre machine
gun, which were controlled by the ASG-15 gunlaying radar in a fairing above the turret.
This unnamed B-52G-85-BW, serial number 57-6490, is from the 668th Bombardment Squadron, 416th Bombardment Wing based at
Griffiss AFB, New York. Visible at the right of the photograph is the "strakelet" that was added to the wing roots of
B-52s that were capable of carrying AGM-86B cruise missiles; the strakelets were added a part of the SALT 2 treaty verification
process, so that ALCM-capable aircraft could be identified as such by Soviet photoreconaissance satellites. This aircraft
was photographed in 1987.
A closeup of the nose of 57-6490, showing the 416th BW insignia (in low-vis colours), as well as a black phoenix which
was applied above an impressive list of awards which this crew had won in recent years. This aircraft was sent to the
"boneyard" at Davis-Monthan AFB on December 1, 1992 to await its turn under the guillotine as part of the START treaty's
disarmament provisions.
There is no question where the 416th was based! A huge Statue of Liberty adorns the tail of this B-52, along with
the name of this B-52's base. The "Strategic" camouflage is again evident on the tail.
In July 1991, the 416th Bombardment Wing began converting from the B-52G to the turbofan-powered B-52H model. Along
with the re-equipment came a redesignation of the unit as the 416th Wing. In June 1992, the 416th became the 416th Bomb
Wing, part of the 9th Air Force of Air Combat Command. I'll Be Seeing You is a B-52H-145-BW, serial number
60-0024, photographed in 1993. The 416th flew B-52Hs for only a few years, as the unit was disbanded in 1995; its B-52s
were sent to the 5th Bomb Wing based at Minot AFB, North Dakota the previous November.
The right side of I'll Be Seeing You's nose carries a full-colour rendition of the 668th Bombardment Squadron's
insignia, as well as the crew roster. Once again, this aircraft wears the "Strategic" camouflage, albeit a very heavily
worn and patched version.
Our final photograph is of Iron Maiden, a 668th Bombardment Squadron, 416th Bombardment Wing B-52G-100-BW, serial
number 58-0193. Iron Maiden was also part of the 806th Bombardment Wing (Provisional), detached to RAF Fairford,
and flew 13 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm. This aircraft was photographed in June 1991, after the plane
returned from Desert Storm service, but before the 416th converted to B-52Hs in the fall of that year. This aircraft
was finished in overall FS36118 Gunship Gray, the same colour used on AC-130s and F-15Es.
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