Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 exptools 1/6/84; site ihnp4.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!whuxlm!whuxl!houxm!ihnp4!cfiaime From: cfiaime@ihnp4.UUCP (Jeff Williams) Newsgroups: net.aviation Subject: Re: Re: More on B-1 vs B-52 Message-ID: <665@ihnp4.UUCP> Date: Wed, 17-Oct-84 09:38:32 EDT Article-I.D.: ihnp4.665 Posted: Wed Oct 17 09:38:32 1984 Date-Received: Thu, 18-Oct-84 19:27:21 EDT References: <3220@rabbit.UUCP>, <2190@hplabsc.UUCP> Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL Lines: 23 Of course, we are all aware of the B-52G that had a wing collapse while on the ramp several years ago. While working at Boeing Military Aircraft Company (Boeing Wichita), we were constantly bombarded (no pun) with B-52 improvement plans and ideas. These ranged from a B-52Q proposal which hung four engines from a 747 on the airframe, to reskinning jobs, to new offensive avionics. After all is said and done, the B-52 is still an OLD airplane. It may have a new radio, new paint, newer engines, and patched skin, but it still is getting quite old. There are cases of grandchildren of the original B-52 pilots now flying the same airplane as granddad did. Considering the mission of the machine, considering the problems in upkeep, and considering kludging on new systems on top of old, it is about time that this weapon system be honorably retired. Now, about the KC-135...as a less complicated airplane, and several generations removed from the B-52 as far as technology is concerned, this airplane can stand to be rebuilt and updated as in the KC-135E and KC-135R models. Jeff Williams AT&T Bell Laboratories ihnp4!cfiaime