Estimated weight now 67 tonnes (engines and avionics removed)
Maximum speed 625 mph (1030 kph) Engines - 8 Pratt and Whitney J57s.
Crew 6 - None sit rear of the bomb bay.
The Aircraft dimensions:-
Height 14.5 metres (40' 8")
Iength 52 metres (160' 10")
Static weight 78 tonnes
Maximum takeoff weight 217.7 tonnes
Maximum Service Ceiling 52,000 ft
Maximum range without mid air-refuelling 8000 miles. (13,200km)
Longest continuous flight time for a B-52 - 45 hrs.
The massive B52
Why use Darwin? Darwin Airport allowed B-52 Bombers to take off at maximum take off weight either with full fuel tanks or full load. It is the most northerly airport that is RAAF owned and controlled in Australia and allows circumnavigation of the globe without flying over large areas of land. Darwin has always welcomed these massive aircraft and crew as friends. The aircraft is capable of mid air refuelling. It uses 81,000 litres of fuel to takeoff and cruising altitude. Fuel load approx 130 tonnes.
The seventh and only passenger seat is situated behind the pilot's seat in the aisle.
Why no bomb-racks? The aircraft was given as a gift to the people of Darwin. The .50 cal Browning machine guns in the back have also had the barrels removed as to indicate peace. The plaque inside the bomb bay states "rest in peace".
This aircraft began its preparation for its last flight on the 1st of September 1989 when it was chosen to come to this Museum. Some 18,000 manhours of voluntary work of the 43rd Maintenance Group from the Guam base went into the presentation. The Guam project was called the "Glossie Aussie". It was given a proud farewell from Guam early on March 27th. Most of the personnel on Guam and their families on the Anderson Airforce Base formed a guard of honour to farewell the aircraft.
The aircraft was manufactured at the Boeing Airplane Co at Wichita Kansas, and entered USAF inventory in December 1960.
