B-52 "Statofortress" - Lackland AFB - San Antonio, Texas - Static Aircraft Displays on Waymarking.com

B-52
"Statofortress"

The first of two B-52 prototypes flew on 15 April 1952 and B-52A production models first flew on 5 August 1954.  One significant change from the production model was in the flight deck layout, which changed the pilot tandem seating to side by side.  Strategic Air Command (SAC) received its first B-52B in June 1955 and deliveries continued until October 1952.  The B-52 accommodated a crew of six (pilot and co-pilot, navigator, radar navigator, electronic counter measurer (ECM) operator and gunner).  It carried a wide variety of ECM systems.  Other systems included 60,000 lobs of internal weapons, missiles, pylons and a 20mm Vulcan gun.  B-52 units based in Thailand began combat operations in Vietnam in 1965 with support of ground forces first occurring in November 1965.  Between June 1965 and August 1973, SAC scheduled 126,663 B-52 sorties and launched 126, 615.

On 11 June 1986 this B-52 Stratofortress was dedicated to Major General Carl R. Smith, Commander, Air Force Military Training Center, Lackland AFB TX, 15 July 1983 - 11 June 1986.  General Smith, a Master Navigator, had more than 4,000 flying hours with more than 2,500 hours in the B-52s.  He flew 106 cmbat missions as an EC-47 combat crew navigator while assigned to the 460th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam.

Manufacturer:  Boeing	Quantity Produced:  744
Wing Span:  185 ft	Speed:  650 mph
Length:  157 ft 7 in	Power Plant:  Eight P & W J-57-P-43WB Turbojets
Height:  40 ft 8 in
Max T-O Weight:  488,000 lb

Information from sign in front of aircraft.

Type of Aircraft: (make/model): B-52 "Statofortress" Tail Number: (S/N): 50068 Construction:: original aircraft Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): Lackland AFB inside / outside: outside Other Information:: Not listed Access restrictions: Not listed

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Photo of serial number (required unless there is not one or it is a replica)
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