Definitive B-52 Book?

IIRC, the ALCM carriers were supposed to get the strakes…but I’m not sure all did. Likewise the “H”s.
My comments on the “H” spares at D-M were based more upon a hunch rather than direct knowledge, I know that some B-1s (early models from the first part of the production run) there are in reserve as attrition a.c., while others have been parted out. I’d expect the same is true for the 52s…as it’s doubtful the USAF will ever require all the survivors to be on active service again.

As you note, the only ones left are the “H”‘s…with 102 built in the early 60s and the last delivered in October of 1962. About 15 have been lost in crashes…and some are stored but I’d expect some at D-M have been cannibalize.

Evocative recollections of DM: I too was lucky to see those rows of BUFFs back in the late ’80s. I think most of the strake-equipped B-52Gs were scrapped as part of SALT II, though I recall reading in contemporary press that H’s were also due to receive strakes (which were of dubious worth other than as a recognition feature).

Supposedly all the Hs at DM are in special store, with all forbidden for parts reclamation. One came out last year for return to service and I’d guess another will be soon, to replace ‘Neanderthaul’ lost on Guam.

Sadly, the “hundreds in storage” at Davis-Monthan were cut up in the 90s for treaties. That was a shame because prior to that there were a lot there, including many “tall tails” that had been there since the 60s. They made an impressive sight on the base, I recall seeing them with the desert sun rising behind them early in the morning.
Please allow me a brief story about the boneyard and its role as a source of spares…
While assigned to the SAC unit as a very young lieutenant, I was in a meeting with the commander and maintenance commander, we had some aircraft that needed the “sailboat” pylon fairings behind the engines (they would crack due to being pounded the exhaust). The commander asked if we could get some from D-M and the maintenance colonel said he’d already asked the question but the ones from the “B” through “F” models in storage wouldn’t fit our “G”s.
The “G” I flew on a few years later was a particularly old one and went to the boneyard a couple of years after my flight. I was able to climb into it at D-M not long before she got the axe…in fact she had already been well parted out. I did pickup an indiscriminate piece of metal found on the floor (where the seats had been removed) and have that on a bookcase.

As you note, the only ones left are the “H”‘s…with 102 built in the early 60s and the last delivered in October of 1962. About 15 have been lost in crashes…and some are stored but I’d expect some at D-M have been cannibalize.

Gents,

Thanks for the pointers: I had wondered about Yenne, and though I agree that maybe a B-52 book is a bit pointless, I had thought that some good, well-researched work might be out there. Shame really, but not totally unexpected. As with many aircraft subjects, unless a dedicated enthusiast comes along most will be covered by authors writing to a quota. It’s not a scenario which encourages proper research.

My renewed interest started when I was talking to someone who told me (with some conviction) that ’40’ were still in service, but that the USAF had ‘hundreds’ in store: the figure (considering only the H model is still active) can’t be more than the just over 100 produced, and it seems that 73-ish are still active (or at least ‘not in storage’) and 15 or so in special storage for Immediate Reserve (or whatever the USAF term is these days). The ’73’ includes NASA’s B-52H, and a couple assigned to the Edwards TW.

I’ll see if I can find the Key special, which brought to mind a World Air Power Review of Winter 1996 (now retrieved from the garage) memory served well that it did a good job of covering more recent events/developments [edit: up to 1996 obviously]. Ditto the Crowood book: theirs seem to be a mix of ‘quota’ and ‘enthusiast’ writers, and sometimes they did produce a gem: I hadn’t seen the BUFF book I have to say.

I’m not a fan of Yenne, I wasn’t impressed with one of his early books but I gave him another chance with his recent volume on the Stratocruiser…and was left disappointed. Very superficial with little evidence of original research. Plus he managed to shortchange a major production variant.

Boyne is always a safe bet, but a problem with any B-52 book is that they’re obviously still in service, so any book is instantly obsolete.

A couple of years ago Key did a special on it which I found useful…info on recent mods and a summary of all 744 (that’s the number off the top of my head..so I might be wrong) produced. It reminded me of the old days when I was a staff member at a SAC bomb wing, and a bit later when I was with a different unit but got a friend to take me on a eight hour training mission…including some rather hairy low lever work in remote Montana. Almost 20 years later, I got a flight in a B-1 (sitting in the left seat no less) and the increase in capability, technology and performance was astounding.

Also, you might check out the 52 chapter in Bill Gunston’s Bombers of the West which deals with its genesis and its evolution from a still-born turboprop specification.

I found this B-52 book,

Boeing B-52 Stratofortress (Crowood Aviation) Hardcover – November, 1998

by Peter E. Davies (Author), Anthony M. Thornborough (Author)

quite enjoyable. Especially the numerous views offered by airmen who operated the B-52s themselves. Yes, also comments from “the early 1950/1960s days”!

http://www.amazon.com/review/RP3RAQU9MB3C2/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=1861261136&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=283155&store=books

Good Points: Over 200 photos of which about 1/2 are previously unpublished. Personal comments from a number of actual crew members let you know you’re getting the facts. Technical accuracy is better than most other B-52 books I have read. Bad Points: Index is too brief and leaves a lot to be desired. Interview with the USAF Reserve Bomb Squadron was good but the Authors should have featured one of the older units with a lengthy history.

Perhaps these days not the cheapest (secondhand) book on offer on the BUFF…

From here — http://www.af.mil/News.aspx

ROYAL AIR FORCE FAIRFORD, England (AFNS) — With the sharp screech of rubber meeting asphalt, two B-52 Stratofortress bombers from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, touched down June 2 at Royal Air Force Fairford.

Third arrived yesterday; and one out/in to ILA at Berlin. Despite what The Mail might say, no further B-52s expected. Although one should never say ‘never’.

From here — http://www.af.mil/News.aspx

ROYAL AIR FORCE FAIRFORD, England (AFNS) — With the sharp screech of rubber meeting asphalt, two B-52 Stratofortress bombers from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, touched down June 2 at Royal Air Force Fairford.

For the third year in a row the bombers have deployed to RAF Fairford to participate in bilateral training exercises. This year marks an integration with allied military forces through U.S. European Command’s exercises Baltops 16 and Saber Strike 16, as well as U.S. Africa Command’s exercise Just Hammer.

“During this short-term deployment, the strategic bombers are scheduled to conduct training flights with ground and naval forces around the region and participate in multinational exercises,” said Air Force Col. Kieran Denehan, the 5th Expeditionary Operations Group commander. “The bombers will integrate into several exercise and real-world activities, including air intercept training, mining operations, inert ordnance drops and close air support.”

Using RAF Fairford, which normally operates as a lean base within the scope of the 501st Combat Support Wing, as a strategic hub for these exercises, the bomber crews have a unique opportunity to integrate and train with U.S. service members, allies and partners in a multitude of operations.

“The ability to integrate strategic bomber forces in a variety of missions is key to ensuring the U.S. is able to honor our security commitments,” Denehan said. “This deployment to RAF Fairford is about participating in long-standing exercises and conducting necessary training within the region.”

RAF Fairford’s unique strategic location, capabilities, facilities and ability to transform from a lean base to an active, operational installation, makes it a key location for large-scale exercises and readiness operations.

“With the second longest flightline in the United Kingdom, we have an airfield that can accommodate a B-52 with no stress on the pavement,” said Frank Dailey, the 420th Air Base Squadron site director at RAF Fairford. “Out of our 55 wide-body parking spots, 43 have the ability for on-the-spot hydrant refueling, which allows for quicker sortie turnarounds.”

Throughout the exercises, RAF Fairford will host the bombers, along with about 250 Airmen from Air Force Global Strike Command, and U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa.

The training is designed to build and strengthen partnerships across the continent, as well as ensure interoperability with NATO allies and partners to remain strong and focused on a shared commitment to peace and global security.

U.S. Strategic Command routinely deploys bombers to both the EUCOM and U.S. Pacific Command areas of responsibility to train and integrate with allies and partners, while also demonstrating the ability to maintain command and control of the bomber force anywhere in the world. The most recent deployment of B-52s to Europe was in March in support of exercises Cold Response and Serpentex.

Tim,

Thanks: I hadn’t seen this one. I think it must be, “B-52 Stratofortress: Boeing’s Cold War Warrior (Osprey modern military)” published in 1995 and co-authored by Robert F Dorr and Lindsay Peacock; illustrations by Mike Badrocke.

Found one on Amazon so ordered it!

Lindsay Peacock did one in the mid 90s but I don’t know if you can still find copies of it

Tim