And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
The XB-52 and the YB-52 were built in 1951, but neither flew until 1952. The “X” was built first but damaged in ground testing, so the second-built “Y” flew first on 15 April 1952. The XB-52 flew on 2 October 1952. I suspect that picture above is from that day.
The guy in the red helmet is Boeing chief test pilot Tex Johnston, and the silver-helmeted co-pilot behind him is USAF Lt Col Guy Townsend. Two years later Tex would barrel-roll the “Dash 80”, the prototype of both the 707 airliner and the B-52’s companion KC-135 air refueler.
When you see a B-52 up close it's an awesome airplane. 185 foot wingspan and the 8 Pratt & Whitney engines are impressive. It's expected they'll still be flying in 2050 or later, making some of the earliest B-52s to be in the air at 100 years old.
That was the prototype, repeating the seating arrangement in the B-47. They went to the more conventional layout with the production models. Which was a good thing, as side by side controls were easier to use for long duration trips.
1951? 1952? looks like a '51 ford woody in the background. Regardless, it might still be flying !
ReplyDeleteThe XB-52 and the YB-52 were built in 1951, but neither flew until 1952. The “X” was built first but damaged in ground testing, so the second-built “Y” flew first on 15 April 1952. The XB-52 flew on 2 October 1952. I suspect that picture above is from that day.
DeleteThe guy in the red helmet is Boeing chief test pilot Tex Johnston, and the silver-helmeted co-pilot behind him is USAF Lt Col Guy Townsend. Two years later Tex would barrel-roll the “Dash 80”, the prototype of both the 707 airliner and the B-52’s companion KC-135 air refueler.
Tex got to do all the cool stuff.
p.s. Unfortunately both the X and Y were ultimately scrapped. :(
DeleteThe oldest flying B-52 is a B-52H delivered in 1962.
In 1968, B-52 bombing "arc lights" were awesome in Vietnam.
ReplyDeleteWhen you see a B-52 up close it's an awesome airplane. 185 foot wingspan and the 8 Pratt & Whitney engines are impressive. It's expected they'll still be flying in 2050 or later, making some of the earliest B-52s to be in the air at 100 years old.
ReplyDeleteonly after they're converted to electric. FJB.
DeleteI don't think Boeing kept either prototype but there are a lot of old BUFFs in the air. That fighter-style cockpit is an odd look for a BUFF.
ReplyDeleteThat was the prototype, repeating the seating arrangement in the B-47. They went to the more conventional layout with the production models. Which was a good thing, as side by side controls were easier to use for long duration trips.
DeleteIt apparently made the crews happier side by side, rather than tandem. Less of a feeling of isolation.
DeleteWhat is that below the 'ato' in stratofortress? An opening, a painted image?
ReplyDeleteLooks to be a window.
ReplyDelete