This US Aircraft Was Built so Massive it Needs 8 Engines to Takeoff
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Welcome back to our channel for a feature on what it takes to keep one of the oldest planes in the US Air Force inventory ready to fly, the B-52H Stratofortress. My friend flew on those aircraft as a tail gunner in the actual tail. He retired when they transitioned to E, F, G & H models as the gunner sat up with the rest of the crew. He had no desire to be in a position to be the designated go for for the crew and liked the isolated position of the tail gunner in the tail. Don't worry he flew in many aircraft including the B-26 and many in-between. In spite of its 8 jet engines, the B-52 also needed JATO bottles to assist with take off when heavily loaded. The aircraft first flew at Boeing's Everett Field in 1954 and is still in service, today -- almost 70 years later. Man, that makes me feel old! While a fully loaded A380 (575 tons) can take off with 4 engines, this B52H weighing under 90 tons should be able to take off with only 2 engines. These 8 engines must be related to something else. Headline of the video says it's about the bigness but it doesn't make sense.
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