Boeing B-52G Stratofortress
Boeing · United States · first flew 1958 · bomber
The B-52G was the seventh production model of the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, an eight-engined strategic bomber, and the last version powered by turbojets. Boeing built 193 of them, more than of any other version.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 8 × turbojet, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 48.5 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Vertical fin about 2.4 m shorter than on earlier B-52 models, the most obvious external change on the G
- Smaller external fuel tanks at the wingtips, because the redesigned wing carries its fuel in integral tanks
- No ailerons: roll control comes from the spoilerons alone, and the tail gunner sits forward with the crew and aims the tail gun by radar
Look for the eight-engined swept-wing layout with a noticeably short tail fin, smaller wingtip tanks than the earlier models, and no ailerons on the wing trailing edge.
Specifications
- The Boeing B-52G Stratofortress has a length of 48.5 m (159 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 56.4 m (185 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1046 km/h (650 mph).
- Typical crew: 5-6.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The US Air Force chose in June 1956 to develop the B-52 further rather than rely on the B-58 Hustler, and the G first flew on 31 August 1958. Production was moved entirely to the Boeing Wichita plant and ended in February 1961.
Variants
The G had a redesigned wing with integral fuel tanks, a shorter fin and smaller wingtip tanks, and its gunner was moved to the front of the fuselage. Many were later modified to carry AGM-86 cruise missiles, with a distinctive wing-root fairing, while others were fitted for Harpoon or Have Nap missiles.
Where you'll see it
B-52Gs flew in the Vietnam War from 1972 and opened Operation Desert Storm in January 1991 with a long-range mission from Barksdale. All remaining B-52Gs were destroyed in the early 1990s under the START treaty.
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- Boeing VC-137 Stratoliner
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- North American A-5 Vigilante
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