Where retired warbirds go...

It's sad to see so many B-52's scrapped, they were the Air Force's most useful plane next to the A-10.

One of the greatest planes created. Hopefully they (those in the picture) will enjoy a very long retirement, but it is nice to know we can always call them back to duty if needed.

That photo could have been taken at Davis-Monthan (D-MAFB) here in Tucson. Years ago, the media showed a lot of them being chopped up after the treaty with the USSR. Driving down Irvington Rd, which borders the base, is interesting because of all the out-of-service planes that are stored there.

The AF gives tours of the "bone yard" but they call it a much fancier name. A lot of the present armed forces planes are kept flying by parts pulled from the stored planes.

John

I love looking at this place. Scroll all around.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Davis...4,-110.824456&spn=0.005782,0.012883&t=k&hl=en

UberPhLuBB,

Yep, that's D-M.

John

Ravenslair said:

One of the greatest planes created. Hopefully they (those in the picture) will enjoy a very long retirement, but it is nice to know we can always call them back to duty if needed.

Click to expand...

Is this true? Are you sure?




Would seem like such a terrible waste, otherwise? Unfortunately we might need them, again.





matis

Trivia

So, it looks like tall tails out there, which says they are "D" models - very old.

But it also appears that they have chin electronics (FLIR and optics?). I thought those where only G and H models ( the latest).

I did some work for Boeing on those beasts about 30 yrs ago in Wichita - those were the days! No open bars, but lots of 3.2% "beer"!

Dave

Old picture. Might be around 10 left in the yard if that. I'll drive around tomorrow and see how many are left.

Looking at the number of planes in that Google satellite shot, and figuring on their purchase cost in modern money, there's the entire national budgets of more than a few Third World nations sitting out there in the desert!

Lennyjoe is the expert on that since he's stationed there. What's the military name of the "boneyard"?

When you go to the picture, scroll down and you may be able to see the Pima Air and Space Museum, south of Valencia Rd, between Wilmot and Craycroft. They have planes going back to the 30's and a bunch of modern stuff, too.

John

JCM298 said:

What's the military name of the "boneyard"?

Click to expand...

AMARC

Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center

http://www.amarcexperience.com/

I was going to school at the U of A when an A-7 Corsair coming in to be mothballed flamed out on approach. Pilot was able to steer it into a school (it was a weekend thankfully) and miss the houses nearby before he punched out.

Back when I was there in the late 1980's, there were tons of B52's waiting for the chopper. Our dorm was right in the flight path. When B52's and C5's flew over, pictures would vibrate off the walls, etc. That place was busy ALL the time.

If you go to google earth and check out the satelite photos, you can see all the ones they cut up and leave out there for satelite verification.

Lots of interesting aircraft. Not all USAF. Some USN aircraft as well.

Great post! Thanks for sharing.

That is Davis Monthan AFB, and I have been there to "borrow" parts for the EC-121 years ago, and later P-3's. Years ago, we were wondering around and saw Spirit of Battan (DC-6) that MacArther flew around in, we got in it and it was still pretty much outfitted as it had been in the late 40's early 50's, of course I was too stoopid to take a camera with me...:banghead:
There are some Navy acft in there with less than 1000 hours total time on them (specifically S-3's and F-18A's). There are also some NAVY FB-111's (appx 30) in there with less than 500 hours on them. The Navy is currently bringing some of the P-3A's out for refit, as they have much lower TT than many of the current Fleet birds and the refit is considerably (~$5M) cheaper than rewinging a current P-3.

Actually...

...B, C, D, E, and F had long tails in the early days. I think the A did too, but there weren't a lot of them built. I've heard that the H's have been fitted with a long tail lately for better stability. Anyone know for sure?

I saw "Gunny" on mail call joy riding on an H a while ago and the thing had a short tail.

I've rode a million miles on D's and G's. That's about a quarter of the distance the real B-52 troops flew.

I got a kick out of some nitwit alarmist back in early '03 announcing that 1200 B-52s had left California for Iraq. That would be quite a trick, methinks. What was it--746?? of all descriptions were built?

rr

Planes (just like ships) are often ecomisioned when not needed and just sit around untill needed agian. It's also cheaper to salvage spare parts then to buy new ones.

Great info on a grea airplane. Its the B-52 that makes the enemy want to surrender. Thanks guys.

While it is a bit "sad", it's also "good" that those aircraft have been put to pasture. They served this country well, but metal fatigue is something that you don't want flying over you, or for flying in. At least they will be chopped for future usage....and I'm sure that several will be kept for viewing.

There's a restaurant, called the "Proud Bird", that is underneath the approach pattern of Los Angeles International Airport. They have numerous war birds on display in the back of the restaurant, and two are "flying" from elevated pedestals in the front parking lot. P-51, P-47, Mig-15, F4-U, X-1, X-15, and several others.....but not enough room for a B-52.

We had a resturant near me when I lived in NJ that looked like a barn, on the outside was the tail end of a Camel (old WW1 era bi plane) and on the inside was the front end, was good for a few laughs.

I can see this one any day of the week.

http://www.edwards.af.mil/museum/docs_html/blackbird_airpark.html

You guys should google earth this thing. It's really something to see all those planes out there. My uncle was in the airforce and retired one of his fighters out there. Was really an emotional thing for him.

Do these look like A-10s to you?

Yes.