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This B-52 Air Refueling Disaster with Nuclear Weapons Improved Air Refueling Procedures and Crew Resource Management

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This B-52 Air Refueling Disaster with Nuclear Weapons Improved Air Refueling Procedures and Crew Resource Management

Spain was spared from catastrophic disaster by a few lucky coincidences that prevented nuclear weapons from detonating after a B-52 collided with a KC-135 during refueling.

Back in 1966, the United States was deeply embroiled in a Cold War with the Soviet Union.  The United States operated secret missions named “Chrome Dome” from the United States to Europe and back with live nuclear weapons that could be launched on short notice.  These missions were draining.  They required the crews to hand fly multiple air refuelings, many times while fatigued and often during poor weather.

An unlucky B-52 crew proved how dangerous this mission was while refueling with a KC-135 over Spain on January 17th, 1966.  The closure by one of the copilots was too quick.  No breakaway was called. The boom smashed into the aircraft with enough force to damage the receiver.  The B-52 and KC-135 both lost control. The hull of the B-52 aircraft spun down to the ground with 4 hydrogen bombs still in the flaming hull.  Fortunately, none of the nuclear weapons exploded.  Three bombs fell on land and one fell in the sea.  Cleanup is still ongoing 50 years later.  Only 4 aircrew members from the B-52 survived.  All aboard the KC-135 perished.

This accident is a lesson in crew resource management and operational safety.  Four air refuelings in a large aircraft is difficult under any condition.  Poor weather and fatigue undoubtedly contributed to the accident.  The accident report notes that there were many other boom/aircraft collisions and operational errors during previous refuelings on similar missions.  The report does not indicate if any operational changes were made in an attempt to avoid a repeat of the same mistakes prior to this tragic accident.  You can read the full accident report here.

Below is a link to an interview with one of the co-pilots from that doomed B-52 bomber:
1966 Palomares B-52 crash by toqtaqiya

We must never forget those who perished.  We must also give thanks that this incident did not end much worse.  Today, hundreds of military air crews air refuel with nearly identical technology.  Air refueling, especially between large aircraft, is one of the most difficult maneuvers that aircrew must perform. It is a testament to the skill and training that there are so few incidents today.

One Hundred Drones Fly In Breathtaking Formation To Achieve World Record

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One Hundred Drones Fly In Breathtaking Formation To Achieve World Record

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These drones are other worldly as they dance in the nighttime sky!

Who would have ever thought a drone display could be beautiful?  While they have many important uses for agriculture and photography, there have been few attempts to create an drone airshow that is actually worth watching.  Last November, 100 drones were flown in unison using sophisticated software built by Intel.  The drones each had LED lights that were synchronized to Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.   The event occurred at Flugplatz Ahrenlohe, Tornesch, Germany.

Drones are becoming more common everyday.  As they become more numerous, they have also become more regulated. Recently, the FAA announced that all drones must be registered and follow strict regulations to avoid fines and potential legal ramifications.

The above footage was released by Intel as part of their CEO’s presentation at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week.  You can read more about the event here.

 

 

#TBT- DELTA SAYS FAREWELL L-1011

Alexander Sakovich
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#TBT- DELTA SAYS FAREWELL L-1011

With singing employees and multiple music selections from “Top Gun” it’s very clear they don’t make airline or airplane promos like they used to! As the sun set on Delta’s L-1011 in 2001, Delta closed the chapter the right way with this video. Watching this video, you can really feel how many employees and passengers alike loved the L-1011.

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Delta began L-1011 service in December 1973, and ultimately acquired 70 of the type. In an age dominated by four-engined aircraft, the L-1011 tri-jet offered a fuel efficient solution to the energy crisis the nation faced in the 1970s. The aircraft further lead the way in Delta’s fleet with innovations such as the capability to land with less than 700 RVR (runway visual range), a wider cabin for comfort on long journeys, and in-flight radio stations and movies for passengers.

The L-1011 served Delta loyally until July 2001 when it flew one last round-trip between Atlanta and Orlando. Just as it had replaced four-engined airplanes, the twin engine era pushed tri-jets into the bone yard. While the airlines had no place for them anymore, the L-1011 (especially Delta ones in that classic widget scheme), will always have a special place in the heart of Avgeeks! Enjoy!

Pratt & Whitney Produces The Final C-17 Engine After A 30 Year Run

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Pratt & Whitney Produces The Final C-17 Engine After A 30 Year Run

All good things come to an end. In this case, Pratt & Whitney’s F117 engine program just wrapped up a successful run. In a ceremony, Pratt and Whitney handed over the final production jet engine. Over the course of the program, they delivered 1,313 engines to the USAF and it’s allied partners. All engines fly on the Boeing C-17 aircraft. The engine is a derivative of the PW2040 model that powered the commercial 757 aircraft. The F117 engine is a derated version of the PW2040.

As part of the commemoration of the event, Pratt and Whitney produced this video and shared it on their Facebook page.

Pratt & Whitney's F117: The Last Engine

The F117-powered C-17 always goes where it is supposed to go, when it is supposed to go, and the pilots and crew know they can do their job without ever having to worry about the engine. #FinalF117 #C17

Posted by Pratt & Whitney on Tuesday, January 12, 2016

General Eisenhower Flew In a P-51 Mustang To See The Front Line

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General Eisenhower Flew In a P-51 Mustang To See The Front Line

In the modern day military, senior leaders travel in specially equipped 737’s, Gulfstream G-Vs and Learjets.  Every once in a while, they’ll travel in a specially equipped C-17 or C-130 to visit the troops downrange.  Military leaders rarely need to risk their safety to make strategic decisions.  Back in World War II though, things were different. Generals like Eisenhower had to get creative. They hopped in a P-51 Mustang. 

There weren’t satellites or drones to get a bird’s eye view of the battlespace.  Imaging, even from fighter aircraft, wasn’t that great either. The only way to truly see the battlefield would be to secretly fly over it.

Eisenhower hops in a P-51 Mustang

Gen Eisenhower flew in a P-51 Mustang.
Gen Eisenhower flew in a P-51 Mustang.

On July 4th 1944, General Eisenhower decided that he wanted to see the site of the future Battle of the Bulge for himself.  General Eisenhower hopped in the back of a brand new P-51 flown by Maj General Pete Quesada.  

The P-51 had it’s fuel tank removed and a small seat was placed behind the pilot.  The space was so small that General Eisenhower didn’t even have room to wear a parachute.  Escorted by three fighters, the P-51 snuck 50 miles behind German lines to get a first hand perspective to where the first battle would take place.

Eisenhower’s Flight Was Supposed to Be a Secret

While the flight was intended to remain a secret, Quesada landed in front of an “entourage” of media.  His flight made the front page of the New York Times. According to the book Eisenhower: A Soldier’s Life, Eisenhower endured admonishment from Marshall after the flight.

Here’s video proof of the flight:

Special thanks to Boneyard Safari for uncovering video proof of the flight!

Relish The Sound Of a F-4 Engine Start and Takeoff

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Relish The Sound Of a F-4 Engine Start and Takeoff

The sound of J79’s spooling up is an iconic noise that is music to any avgeek’s ears.  It’s a sound rarely heard these days (unless you live in Iran).  So when we came across this video of a startup and takeoff, we knew we had to share it.  Turn up your speakers, put on two forms of hearing protection and enjoy the blast of freedom.

This video was taken by jss747 at the Cleveland Air Show in 2011.

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Using A B-52 BUFF, The US Sends A Serious Message To North Korea

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Using A B-52 BUFF, The US Sends A Serious Message To North Korea

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On January 10th, the United States and Korea flew a low-level dissimilar formation of 2x ROKAF F-15K Slam Eagles, a B-52 deployed from Guam, and 2x Osan-based F-16s. The formation flew over Osan Air Base, just 40 miles from the South Korean capital of Seoul. This show of force was intended to serve as a visual reminder to North Korea of the US and it’s allies sizable military power that can attack at a moments notice.

Flying a B-52 over South Korean territory is a provocative measure but one that was deemed necessary after North Korea’s latest nuclear test last week that was conducted in violation of multiple U.N. treaties. Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., commander of U.S. Pacific Command said, “North Korea’s nuclear test is a blatant violation of its international obligations. U.S. joint military forces in the Indo-Asia-Pacific will continue to work with all of our regional allies and partners to maintain stability and security.”

A statement by U.S. Pacific Command further said that “the bilateral flight mission demonstrates the strength of the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea and the resolve of both nations to maintain stability and security on the Korean Peninsula.”

Video of the formation was captured by Senior Airman Daniel Robles of the 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office.  It is featured on the YouTube channel AirBoyd.

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Military Nose Art: Never Allowed, Always Appreciated

Brad Hayes
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Military Nose Art: Never Allowed, Always Appreciated

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I think I could speak for most Avgeeks when I say that military nose art is one of the coolest things to see when you’re in the presence of an old warbird. Have you ever wondered how it all began?

Nose art began back in the early 1900’s during World War I. It made its first official mark with the Italians in 1913 when a sea monster was painted on the front of a flying boat. Shortly after, the Germans began painting mouths on the front of their aircraft beneath the props spinner as a way to build camaraderie and scare their enemies.

During the same time period, the Americans began painting not only extravagant murals on their aircraft, but some began painting their squadron insignias as well. Regulations were soon put in place to discourage the practice, but they were not strictly enforced.

Once the United States entered the fray in World War II, nose art started making appearances on everything from fighters to bombers. This would become the golden age of aircraft art. Even though the nose art regulations were still very much in place, they were completely ignored by the air crews.  Attacking the German and Japanese was the primary focus, not some silly regulations.

Nose art was a moral booster for the crews, a way to evoke memories of home, or a way to help release the stresses of war.  To a certain degree, some military officials unofficially encouraged it, as it was a way to keep the crews mind off of the constant thought of death. Most paintings were flashy, Vegas-style pin-up girls, with a catchy phrase. A good portion of these girls were a crew member’s wife, girlfriend, or just a fantasy girl. The air crews were proud of their birds, and you never found two of the same paintings. They were all unique in their own way.  They exemplified the pride of serving.  Seeing the nose art lifted the spirits and gave a visible reminder to aircrews that there were many things worth fighting for back home.

Today, nose art is still just as popular around the world but less common on US military aircraft.  You can find art on the noses of bombers, tails of fighters, and even now on some commercial airline aircraft. While much of the art has become more tame over the years, it is still a unique aspect of aviation that lives on today.  One thing is for sure, you’ll still never find two noses that look the same.

Check out some of my recent Nose Art Photography:

B-29 “Bockscar”:

The B-29 "Bockscar" was named after the aircraft commander, Captain Fredrick C. Bock. The plane was often referred to as "Bock's Car" by her crew.
The B-29 “Bockscar” was named after the aircraft commander, Captain Fredrick C. Bock. The plane was often referred to as “Bock’s Car” by her crew.

 

B-17 “Shoo Shoo Baby”:

B-17 "Shoo Shoo Shoo Baby" was named by her crew after a popular song by the Andrews Sisters during that time. At one point her name was changed to "Shoo Shoo Baby" after a change in the aircraft's commander. This aircraft was actually landed in Sweden on her 24th mission after three of the four engines failed. All her crew survived and was uninjured. It was given to Sweden by the US, then flown by two airlines and a private mapping firm before being abandoned in France in the 1960's. In 1968 France offered it back to the US, it was moved to Dover AFB in 1978 for restoration, and finally flown to the museum in Dayton in 1988 after the completion of her restoration.
B-17 “Shoo Shoo Shoo Baby” was named by her crew after a popular song by the Andrews Sisters during that time. At one point her name was changed to “Shoo Shoo Baby” after a change in the aircraft’s commander. This aircraft was actually landed in Sweden on her 24th mission after three of the four engines failed. All her crew survived and was uninjured. It was given to Sweden by the US, then flown by two airlines and a private mapping firm before being abandoned in France in the 1960’s. In 1968 France offered it back to the US, it was moved to Dover AFB in 1978 for restoration, and finally flown to the museum in Dayton in 1988 after the completion of her restoration.

 

AC-130A “Azrael ‘Angel of Death'”:

AC-130A "Spectre" Gunship- "Azrael Angel of Death." I couldn't find exactly why she was named this, but I did find that this name comes from the Koran, and Azrael is the "angel of Death who severs the soul from the body." On a side note, this particular aircraft was involved in a pretty significant fire fight on February 26, 1991 during Operation Desert Storm. Coalition forces were in the process of running the Iraqi forces out of Kuwait, and Azrael was sent to the Al Jahra highway to intercept their convoy. After taking AAA fire, and dodging numerous SAM strikes, they were able to attack the convoy, inflicting significant damage, leaving a majority of the convoy destroyed and unusable. The Iraq's called for a cease fire two days later. Awesome.
AC-130A “Spectre” Gunship- “Azrael Angel of Death.” I couldn’t find exactly why she was named this, but I did find that this name comes from the Koran, and Azrael is the “angel of Death who severs the soul from the body.” On a side note, this particular aircraft was involved in a pretty significant fire fight on February 26, 1991 during Operation Desert Storm. Coalition forces were in the process of running the Iraqi forces out of Kuwait, and Azrael was sent to the Al Jahra highway to intercept their convoy. After taking AAA fire, and dodging numerous SAM strikes, they were able to attack the convoy, inflicting significant damage, leaving a majority of the convoy destroyed and unusable. The Iraq’s called for a cease fire two days later. Awesome.

 

B-25 “Pacific Prowler”:

Pacific Prowler is the restored name of a privately owned B-25. You can read more about it here: http://www.ecommerce-group.com/pacificprowler/History.html
Pacific Prowler is the restored name of a privately owned B-25. You can read more about it here: http://www.ecommerce-group.com/pacificprowler/History.html

B-25 “Yellow Rose

The Yellow Rose is named after the traditional Texas folk song about a man longing for a beautiful southern woman. You can read more about the actual aircraft here: http://www.cafcentex.com/aircraft/b25.php
The Yellow Rose is named after the traditional Texas folk song about a man longing for a beautiful southern woman. You can read more about the actual aircraft here: http://www.cafcentex.com/aircraft/b25.php

F/A-18’s Prove “We The Best” With Carrier Ops Captured in HD

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F/A-18’s Prove “We The Best” With Carrier Ops Captured in HD

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What’s it like to launch off of a carrier with 44,000 lbs of thrust strapped to our back? We may never experience the thrill of launching off of a carrier but we can sit back and marvel at the skill of the pilots that do.

This video makes carrier ops look easy but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Landing on a pitching deck in gusty winds at night takes guts. Doing it with dwindling fuel and no alternates is even more of a challenge. The pros in VFA-14 make it look easy. The TopHatters are the Navy’s oldest flying squadron.

One word of caution: The lyrics are explicit. Turn down your sound if you might be offended.

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They Strapped Parachutes On These Street Racers And Dropped Them Out Of a C-130

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They Strapped Parachutes On These Street Racers And Dropped Them Out Of a C-130

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By now you’ve probably seen Fast and Furious 7.  The movie features two street racing vehicles dropped out of the C-130 Hercules.  Dropping vehicles safely is no simple task.  From the looks of the video, it required custom rigging on the vehicle and additional metal support structure around the vehicles to ensure that the cars maintained rigidity during the opening chute sequence.

Filming wasn’t easy.  The drop was filmed by five skydivers and two helicopters flying in formation.

Watch this video, shot by Universal Studios, to see how the pros did it.

Accelerate From 0 to 100 mph On A Runway To Catch a U-2 Spyplane

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Airman Magazine recently profiled a U-2 ground crew as they assisted the Dragon Lady during landing at a deployed location. The U-2 is an amazing spy plane. It can fly upwards of 70,000 feet and provide imagery and tools that more modern platforms like the Global Hawk still can’t match.

Takeoffs and landings are a challenge for even the most experienced pilots though. The plane is really just a big gangly glider with long wings, a jet engine, and poor visibility out the cockpit. The typical visual cues for a pilot during landing aren’t available due to the design of the aircraft. Without the assistance of a spotter in the chase car, the pilot would struggle to safely land. Working as a team, the spotter provides the pilot the necessary information to enhance his/her situational awareness and safely get the plane back on the ground.

Mobile chase car drivers act as a second pair of eyes and ears for U-2 pilots during their launch and landings, making up for the pilot’s limited movement and vision.

A U-2 Dragon Lady reconnaissance aircraft pilot from the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron explains the role of mobile chase cars at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Dec. 22, 2015.

Posted by Airman Magazine on Thursday, January 7, 2016

The Ultimate Product Tie-In: Southwest Airlines Produces Super Mario Maker Level

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The Ultimate Product Tie-In: Southwest Airlines Produces Super Mario Maker Level

Talk about the ultimate cross-product promotion!  Southwest Airlines introduced a custom level on the new Super Mario Maker game for the Nintendo Wii U video game system.

The game allows anyone to build a custom level. Southwest Airline’s level includes nods to airline with blocks that (slightly) resemble a 737 and a few hearts made of coins.

Is Southwest Super Mario’s Favorite Airline?

According to Southwest’s Blog, “The Southwest level for Super Mario Maker also offers players the exclusive chance to unlock the Sky Pop costume in the game. Once players locate a Mystery Mushroom in the Southwest Air Adventure level, they are able to play the level in the classic Super Mario Land plane costume. Also, by completing the level, players can use the costume in future levels of their choosing!”

Could a Mario logo jet be on the horizon at Southwest?  An avgeek can dream!

You can watch GameExplain play the entire level below:

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