Warbird Information Exchange

Seen in a press release from the 355WG PAO - the B-52D displayed in Davis-Monthan's Heritage Park is to be removed and cut up. The primary reason cited was the lack of funds to keep it in shape. The aircraft was offered up for museums, but had no takers. Some parts will be stripped for use on other display Buffs, but the aircraft itself will be cut up for scrap - just like so many of its predecessors. No timetable for the removal was given, except sometime this fall.

Sad.


How many of these long tail B-52's are left?

If they can't keep an airplane from deteriorating with the same climate and expertise AS THE BONEYARD, then I'm not sure what to think.

Photo:

http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Ai ... 4edb021e23

Here is the text of the release:

10/28/2011 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- The B-52D Stratofortress, tail number 56-659's time of proudly being displayed alongside its aerial comrades at Heritage Park is coming to a close.

At the intersection of Arizola St. and Craycroft Rd. is one of D-M's landmarks, Heritage Park. The park was built in the 1980's to provide the base with some recreational areas, as well as increasing its aesthetic appeal. Scattered throughout Heritage Park are static displays of various aircraft, as well as a history of each, D-M and the Air Force have used through the years to establish its air superiority.

The B-52 has a special connection to Heritage Park's landscape architect and University of Arizona graduate, Bill Bushman. Mr. Bushman's father, William Bushman, was the pilot of the plane and has his name painted on the front door.

The B-52 was designed by Boeing Aircrafts as a long-range, high-altitude, intercontinental bomber. The plane spans 185 feet, has a top speed of 650 mph and needs a five-man team to operate.

B-52 56-659 has a long and varied history. It was delivered to the Air Force on July 5, 1957. It has been stationed at many stateside locations including Texas, Florida, California and Mississippi, as well as deployed to overseas locations such as Guam and Thailand. In May of 1982, the plane was sent to the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center at D-M. In October of 1989, the plane was transferred out of active duty and into museum status.

"The plane is being removed from Heritage Park for a few reasons," said Chief Master Sgt. Kelly Downey, 355th Component Maintenance Squadron superintendent. "Fiscal constraints, personnel qualification and equipment availability, future construction projects, as well as the manpower burden on an already stretched thin maintenance group all played a part."

According to Chief Downey, there are also problems with encroachment on construction plans. Some of the local wildlife may have also made their way into the plane, so it could turn into an entomology issue. But mainly, it's not safe and with all the budget cuts, it costs too much to fix.

"Arriving at the decision to dispose of the B-52 was not easy and many factors were considered," Chief Downey said. "However, the most important factors were the safety of the aircraft visitors and not letting this symbol of our military's strength decay away without dignity."

The disposal of the plane was a last option. It had been offered to other Air Force organizations, Department of Defense organizations and museums.

Although no one has decided to take the entire plane, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio and Fairchild AFB, Wash. has expressed interest in acquiring parts of the B-52. This acquisition of parts ensures that other B-52s live on to continue their missions, Chief Downey said.

The removal of the B-52 has been slated for October or November, but nothing has been set in stone, Chief Downey said. Even though the plane is to be removed, the stories passed down from generation to generation by the service members who flew the Stratofortress will ensure the legacy of this beloved plane is never forgotten.

Cant they tow it across the street to the Pima Air & Space Museum? They have 2 B-52's sitting in the same climate. Do they have plans to cut theirs up also? I dont think so.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Sad news indeed to see another Vietnam Veteran "D" model getting cut up...

Thanks for the info (I think?)...

-Derek

Actually we have 3. One of which is a D so we really don't need or want another one.

Unfortunately, this is the shape of things to come. The US Military is facing enormous budget cuts. Many base luxuries will become a thing of the past. Base Airparks consume a lot of manpower and dollars to maintain...both are in short supply. This B-52 was in decent shape a few years ago but the cost of a basic re-paint is probably out of the reach of a Civil Engineering Squadron or Maintenance Group under current fiscal constraints/priorities. Moving it is also cost prohibitive. The 1990's are over and the money is gone...

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

????????

How much does it really cost to tow back through the fence and park
it next to the other museum aircraft vs the cost of scrapping ? You can't save them all but it is already in the desert, AT the boneyard !

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"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass..."
Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto

It's on the opposite side of the base from the flight line and Pima...a loooong tow through narrow streets with trees and buildings. even a "short route" to the bone-yard would be an ordeal. At a minimum, the wings would need to be removed. Believe me, I would love to see this plane saved...

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

Look again, Scott. There's a huge open parking lot in front of the airframe, it connects to Golf Links Rd, left turn, straight across Craycroft, onto Bola and onto the big ramp. Then straight down the taxiway to the taxiway that leads to AMARG. Might take a little coordination and maybe a Sunday overtime but it certainly looks doable. A few years ago at the DM airshow, they drug a recently inducted C-141 to the D-M ramp as a static. Once they get on the ramp it's painless. Google Map tells the story.

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"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass..."
Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto

They cold always replace it with a G (if there area any left in one piece) or H out of the back 40.
Or wait until another H comes in for storage.

Still I wonder how it got so bad, can't be corrosion?
The cynic in me says there could be more to this story, perhaps the wing commander wants another type on the property or they're going to builf a new facility.

A lot of Ds were saved becauuse they were retired in the 80s (I was there when Fairchild's landed...circa 1984) and could be flown to new homes...(unlike the earlier versions retired). They seem to be all over...Dyess, Fairchild, Duxford, Australia, Maxwell, NMUSAF, and many others.

At this point, I'm more concerned about more short tails being saved.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

Good point...but it still comes down to money and level of effort. It's a shame it can't stay in the Airpark. It was impressive at night. I fear for the future of base airparks...

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

The short tailed birds, I believe, have pretty much been cut up under START. I don't know if the agreement allows any to be preserved.

Well the A.F. Armament Museum near Eglin has a "G" model the flew in the Secret Squirrel mission during Desert Storm. Pima has a "G". Don't know if any "H" model Cadillacs have been preserved yet?

-Derek

I have nothing against the AF, In fact I kinda dig their job. but cost?? Pa-leasseee...
Thats about bogus...Lets see, the airmen and experianced NCOs get paid already, they are tasked to do a job...cost for contracting the "hired Help"? ummmm zero.
Cost of Equipment necessary to move the buff? ummmm I would imagine zero as well since they pretty much have everything they need in inventory to recover a bomber....
I would suspect an attempt to be politically correct, instead of just coming out and saying "we don't wanna maintain a grounded aircraft anymore so we're scrapping the b i t c h."

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Kind Regards,
Gary Lewis
J.A.F.O.