Planes - File 45 of 75 - B-52F_2.jpg (1/1)

[Troy24]

[David Hartung[_4_]]

How does one tell an "F" from a "D"?

[David Hartung[_4_]]

Mike Henley wrote:
> "David Hartung" > wrote in message
> . ..
>> How does one tell an "F" from a "D"?
>
> The only change was upgrading the engine. One difference was the bulge on
> the left side of each twin engine pod because of the improved alternator.

Thanks.

Makes one wonder why it was the "D" which got so much use, and not the "F".

[David Hartung[_4_]]

Mike Henley wrote:
> "David Hartung" > wrote in message
> . ..
>> Mike Henley wrote:
>>> "David Hartung" > wrote in message
>>> . ..
>>>> How does one tell an "F" from a "D"?
>>> The only change was upgrading the engine. One difference was the bulge on
>>> the left side of each twin engine pod because of the improved alternator.
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Makes one wonder why it was the "D" which got so much use, and not the
>> "F".
>
> The B-52D and B-52F were modified to carry large bomb racks on the Houndog
> pylon for the 500 and 750 lb bombs, but only the B-52D got the "Large Belly"
> mod that increased the internal bomb load by about 22,000 lbs.

I've loaded the "high density" Buff. It is a lot of work.

When I was on Guam, in the late 70s the Sac brass decided that they need
to develop "quick turn" procedures for the "D". We used two load crews.
One on the internals (Generally "A" bay racks) and one on the externals.
They gave a check list which basically had three steps.

Step 1. Open Bomb Bay Doors.
Step 2. Load Bombs.
Step 3. Close Bomb Bay Doors.

By the time we finished, we were turning the airplane in 90 minutes,
chock to chock.