Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
Even about 70 years after its first flight - in 1952 - the end of the operational career of the B-52 is nowhere near. The last examples may well serve until the 2050s! It survived many of its intended successors, even though the design could be more efficient. In the coming years a re-engining programme is planned to ensure its future.
The Boeing model 464 has highly swept wings that are placed on top of the fuselage. Under the wings are eight jet engines, grouped in pairs. The gear consists of four legs with two wheels each, in tandem configuration under the fuselage. Of each gear one pair retracts forward and one rearward. There are two single wheel support gears near the wing tips. These features together are unique for the B-52. The tail design is very conventional though.
From this viewpoint you can clearly see the main recognition points of the B-52: eight jets in paired nacelles and the double tandem gear under the fuselage.
Different versions
How to recognise the different versions of the Boeing B-52 will be added later.
Confusion possible with
Boeing B-47 Stratojet
Given the unique design you can hardly misidentify the B-52. The B-47 comes close but has six engines (of which four are paired), a tandem gear with two legs and a tandem canopy as standard.