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A pair of giant B-52 Stratofortress bombers will be at the 2015 Avalon Airshow.
Airshow organisers said one of the US Air Force aircraft will be on static display during the week-long event, with a second to fly in to Avalon, perform a flying display and then head back to its overseas base in a 16-hour round trip.
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The Boeing-built B-52 made its maiden flight in 1952 and there are currently 58 B-52Hs active with the US Global Strike Command, with a further 18 in reserve.
The aircraft has flown missions in Afghanistan, the Gulf War and the Vietnam War, among other conflicts.
“Its massive swept back wings and long sleek fuselage make the B-52 one of the most highly recognisable aircraft of all time; it is truly an icon of aviation design,” Avalon said in a statement.
“It is expected B-52s will remain in service until 2045, almost a century after they first rolled off the Boeing production line. The mighty Stratofortress rightfully carries legend status.”
The Avalon Airshow takes place from February 24 to March 1.
Tom
says:Only 22 sleeps to go, cant wait for the Avalon action again, every new announcement is additional joy!!
Another Guest (from Australia)
says:That sounds great the two B-52H aircraft will be participating the 2015 Avalon Air Show, one for the flying display and other one for static display.
I remember back in 2nd March 2013 when the B-52 was on static display I went up close and personal with aircraft looking inside the front undercarriage, the bomb bay and one of its Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3/103 engines, it was fantastic.
I got a soft spot for the B-52 and other cold war era warplanes. It’s a awesome strategic bomber and still goes strong despite its age and will indeed remain in service with the USAF until 2045, almost a century after they first rolled off the Boeing production line. The mighty Stratofortress rightfully carries legend status.
Yes you’re correct Tom that every new announcement is additional joy.
Another Guest (from Australia)
says:It’s been a while since we’ve seen the B-52 perform a handling display. It will be great to see it back again.
Ted Giddings Giddings
says:So A Pair Of Giant (!) B-52( Maiden Flight 1952) Stratofortress Bombers Will Be At The 2015 (Feb.24 To Mar.01) AVALON AIRSHOW!
! ! (Aeroplane Which Quite Rightfully Carries LEGEND Status . . . Some 16-Hours Round Trip . . . . )
Maurice Duffill
says:The bomber I would love to see again is the B36. Its six piston engines backed up by 4 jets made a dramatic scene whenever they took off from RAF Lakenheath in England’s Norfolk..
It was so large that we, at the nearby RAF flying school at Feltwell had to pause circuit work while one took off. With 230 foot wing span and sporting a railway inside its tubular fuselage it certainly was a design to create awe.. I wonder if there is still an airworthy example to show the world.
Dee
says:Maurice, the only restored B-36 ” Peacemaker” in the world is at The Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson Arizona, and is a static display amongst over 150 other aircraft on display. Well worth the trip!
Brett
says:Can’t decide between the B36 and the B58
Another Guest (from Australia)
says:Speaking about the B-52 going to perform its handling display, someone said the aircraft is going to be only on Friday 27th?
Is that right. Because I thought it will also perform its handling display on Saturday & Sunday.
Cheers.
ESLowe
says:It was nice to catch up with Kubrick’s movie “Invention,” in Dr. Strangelove when the B52 last visited Avalon. Slim Pickens added to the B52 mythos when he fixed the electrical wiring and rode the Hydrogen bomb to the ground
…but having stood under the bomb bay of the B52 and looking up there was no way Pickens could have sat on the bomb, the space is far too confined for him.
Still you should never get the truth get in the way of a good story.
stuart
says:so they plan to fly a small force of B52s until 2045,, !! the last B52s rolled off the line 50 years ago now !! … it sound ridiculous that the US actually considers these accent bomb crates viable ( assuming air superiority) over the target of course …. The RAF should have hung on to its Vulcans !! LOL
Raymond
says:http://www.airshow.com.au/airshow2015/PUBLIC/aircraft-display/military-aircraft.asp
B-52 fly past on Friday 27 February afternoon public session ONLY.
This involves a 16 hour return trip, so I suppose that only one of the days was chosen.
Another Guest (from Australia)
says:Ok. Thanks for the info Raymond.
Cheers.