Has a B-52 tail gun ever shot down an enemy plane?

[maxum96]

Anyone know of a B-52 ever shooting down an enemy aircraft with it's tail gun? And while we're on the subject of B-52 defensive armament, has the B-52 ever used any other kind of armament other than the tail gun?

[Jack Cook]

2 B-52 gunners were credited with MIG kills at night over NVN.

[Mike Bates]

To add to what Jack said you can look here, give names and other infomation.

http://www.airwarvietnam.com/migkills.htm

Mike

[P51Mstg]

If I recall correctly one was decorated with a DFC or Silver Star when he fired a long 7 or 10 second burst at a MIG-21 at about 6000yds (YUP 4 MILES with 4 50 BMGs) and a few seconds later it started trailing smoke, veered away and exploded.

Awesome shooting

Mark H.

EDIT:: I looked at the link

SSgt Samuel O. Turner Mig-21 B-52 #6676 Call Sign – Brown 3

On 18 December 1972 near Hanoi , North Vietnam SSgt Turner, a B-52 Fire Control Operator (Gunner), shot down a MIG-21. For his action the 30 year old Atlanta , Georgia native was awarded the Silver Star. Turner retired from the Air Force with the rank of MSgt. He passed away 12 April 1985 as the result of an illness.

[Jack Cook]

The second MIG killer B-52D s/n 55-083 is on display at the Air Force Acamedy.
http://news.webshots.com/photo/2124874490041729665jGNUxi

[maxum96]

The second MIG killer B-52D s/n 55-083 is on display at the Air Force Acamedy.
http://news.webshots.com/photo/2124874490041729665jGNUxi

I live in Colorado and just saw that B-52 recently. I had no clue it was a MIG killer. I guess I would have known that had I gotten close enough to it to see it's markings. Thanks for the info.

[mike13]

B-52D 56-0676 (6676) is/was on display at Fairchild AFB near Spokane , Washington. I say was because the Fairchild Heritage has obtained some land off base to make their collection more public accessible and the aircraft may be there.
I photographed this aircraft in the early 80s when it was first put on display. The bottom was gloss black while the top was tan, gray and
green.
On the nose was the SAC emblem , 0676, a large red star and a sharkmouth with eyes.
On the other side was an emblem that looked like a sun going down with a couple clouds . Above this was the words "The End Of An Era, 1955-83". I think this applies to the term of the "D" models service before being withdrawn from Fairchild.
mike13

Last edited by mike13 on Tue Mar 18, 2008 1:11 am, edited 1 time in total.

[skippyscage]

The second MIG killer B-52D s/n 55-083 is on display at the Air Force Acamedy.
http://news.webshots.com/photo/2124874490041729665jGNUxi

I live in Colorado and just saw that B-52 recently. I had no clue it was a MIG killer. I guess I would have known that had I gotten close enough to it to see it's markings. Thanks for the info.

she's just been re-painted and looking mighty fine

[mustangdriver]

I believe she is named Diamond Lil

[Herkeng]

Yes the Gunners did shot down enemy planes. There are 2 confirmed kills and scores of unconfirmed kills. The 2 confirmed kills were by SSgt Sam Turner and A1C Albert Moore.

C'est LaVie
Herkeng
Former B-52G/H Gunner

[Jack Cook]

I can't find any more claims by B-52 gunners either for probable or damaged.

[Ken]

One of my AF ROTC instructors circa 1987 was a prior enlisted B-52 tail gunner who told us he had a MiG kill - and he was not the type of guy to blow smoke. That said, I googled several different phrases and he is not one of the 2 confirmed gunners, however, one online source said there were 5 kill claims in addition to the 2 confirmed kills. Wish I could remember his name, but it escapes me at the moment.

[Jack Cook]

Frank Olynyk's US Post WWII Aerial victories book lists just the 2.
I also knew a fellow here in town who was a retired E-7 B-52 gunner/ warbird mech. He also claimed a MIG but said it was never credited and hushed up because it happen "on the wrong side of the lines" ie Black Ops B-52 style
He had a lot of sea stories