Disassembled B-52H arrives in Oklahoma City ending a Road Trip of almost four weeks. The BUFF will support the B-52 Bomber Fleet Modernization Effort.

A disassembled B-52H Strategic Bomber is taking a Road Trip from Tucson to Oklahoma City and here are some awesome photos of her journey

By Dario Leone
Jan 7 2022
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On Jan. 4, 2022 B-52H 61-0009 began her next journey to Oklahoma where she will become the test bed for research and modernization for the B-52 fleet.

B-52H 61-0009, a piece of American history, is on the move: according to Boneyard Safari Facebook Page, after Worldwide aircraft recovery painstakingly prepared the aircraft for transport by removing the wing and horizonal stabilizer at Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson (AZ), on Jan. 4, 2022 the bomber began her next journey to Oklahoma where she will become the test bed for research and modernization for the B-52 fleet.

As explained by Brian Brackens, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Public Affairs, in the article B-52 parts to be used in research, modernization and innovation efforts, the left wing and fuselage [main body of the aircraft] will eventually be relocated to a Boeing facility in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where it will serve as an integration model. The right wing and horizontal stabilizer of 61-0009 will be transported to McFarland Research and Development in Wichita, Kansas to support structural integrity research for the B-52H Aircraft Structural Integrity Program or ASIP.

Disassembled B-52H arrives in Oklahoma City ending a Road Trip of almost four weeks. The BUFF will support the B-52 Bomber Fleet Modernization Effort.
B-52 Stratofortress tail number 61-0009, nicknamed “Damage Inc. II,” completed its nearly 1,500 mile month-long trip from Arizona to Oklahoma Jan. 22, 2022, when it arrived at the Boeing facility near Tinker Air Force Base.

Upon arrival in Oklahoma City, the left wing and fuselage will be reattached and used to test how new technology or modifications will integrate with B-52 aircraft. The integration model or mock-up will support a number of current and future modification initiatives, to include the Commercial Engine Replacement Program and Radar Modernization Program.

The integration model will not be limited to just weapons. Any technology or capability designed to hang on the wing or attach to the fuselage can be tested, to include pods and antennas. Additionally, the model will open up opportunities for innovation by providing access to industry and other government agencies via Cooperative Research and Development Agreements to test out new ideas and equipment.

Disassembled B-52H arrives in Oklahoma City ending a Road Trip of almost four weeks. The BUFF will support the B-52 Bomber Fleet Modernization Effort.
B-52 Stratofortress tail number 61-0009, nicknamed “Damage Inc. II,” crosses over Interstate-240 in south Oklahoma City on the last stretch of its journey from Arizona to Oklahoma Jan. 22, 2022.

While at McFarland Research and Development, the right wing and horizontal stabilizer will be studied in order to learn more about structural limitations and how long the Air Force can expect the parts to last on B-52s currently flying. Most importantly, the research there will provide key structural data on the B-52H, which will guide future decisions about the platform.

As already reported, before being taken out of storage and being towed to the Pima Air & Space Museum, B-52H tail number 61-0009 was in non-flyable status at the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (AFB), AZ.

B-52H print
This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. B-52H Stratofortress 2nd BW, 20th BS, LA/60-0008 “Lucky Lady IV”.

As a spokesperson with Boneyard Safari explained to Fox 10, the bomber was built in 1961 and retired in 2008.

It took about four months to disassemble the plane and get it ready for the move. The entire trip will take about three weeks.

Photo credit: April McDonald and Mark Hybers / U.S. Air Force

Check out Boneyard Safari Facebook Page for more beautiful photos on B-52H 61-0009’s road trip.

B-52 Model
This model is available from AirModels – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS.

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Dario Leone

Dario Leone

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

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