My dad was flying one of these BUFFs - Beale AFB, 1963 (at least that's when the movie was released.) I have a pic behind this of the film crew filming this. Note to the right of Rock and Rod - and you can see a shadow of film equipment.
@beerbrewer737 As a firefighter I had to do standby when a KC-135 was doing a rapid defuel- the truck would be parked about 50 yards from the tanker. At least one of the engines had to be at full-throttle, even with our mickey mouse ears on it was still an ear-splitting shreik. Our H-model BUFFs had turbofans- they were much quieter and not quite as smokey as the G models.
@usafvet100 LOL...I also worked "E" model tankers (with TF-33's) and while the low bypass fans mad less noise than the turbojets (J57) they were loud too!
@beerbrewer737 The SAC days are apparently gone for good after Mr. Gorbachov tore down that wall. There was nothing like seeing the BUFFs MITO off the runway. I always had a front-row seat since we had to post the crash trucks alongside the runway just in case. A bit sobering to do standby on the Alert Pad in the wee hours while the ordnance crews were uploading/maintaining the SRAMs. But our motto was "Peace is Our Profession," we kept the Russkis at bay for 40 years till USSR collapsed.
@usafvet100 Sorry to say that it was US kept at bay by the USSR rather than so. US has always tendency to attack any other weak countries and the US knew that USSR was not a weaker target. The term "Cold War" was based of this uncomfortably situation for the US. It should spelled l "Hot Peace" instead.
@saptono I'm afraid you're mistaken, my friend. The Cold War began immediately after World War II, did it not? What overseas possessions were added to the US in that time? Meanwhile, the Russian bear gobbled up Poland, East Germany, Romania, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, all of Eastern Europe. Yes or no? Who tried to starve West Berlin into submission in 1947? Who built a wall to keep their citizens in who were desperately trying to escape the "Worker's Paradise?" Who but Joseph Stalin killed some 20
@saptono million of his own people? Who but Mao Tse Tung killed even more Chinese? Who but Pol Pot slaughtered more than half of Cambodia's population? The Korean War was a U.N. Sanctioned response to Kim il Jong's attempt to impose his absolute dictatorship on his neighbors to the South. Vietnam was a debacle that we never should have gotten mixed up in, but we lost at the cost of 56,000 Americans KIA. Is that enough to satisfy you? We never invaded Cuba, but prevented them from installing
@saptono nuclear ICBMs 90 miles from our shores. No, my, friend, our motto at SAC was "Peace is Our Profession." We were NEVER committed to a first strike against the USSR, had we launched our bombers and ICBMs, it would have only been because the SS20s and Bear Bombers were on their way, and I and the rest of the support team on base would have had seconds to live. Finally, who won the Cold War, hmmmm? It's not the former USA, you know, it's the former Soviet Union.
@usafvet100 "We were NEVER committed to a first strike against the USSR, had we launched our bombers and ICBMs, it would have only been because the SS20s and Bear Bombers were on their way,"
Haha EVERY russian bomber+sumarine crew say THE SAME. You were all brainwashed. Nation, peace, honor, defense. Pecakeeping hypocrites. Pity both military systems didn't fall, the world pays for this.
@saptono BTW, the Us has sent billions in humanitarian Aid to Indonesia over the years with no attempt to plant the Stars and Stripes there. How do you account for that?
@usafvet100 Whatever cold war was, we should thanks for its existence as otherwise we all know what would happened. For information of my perception about Cold War please check wikipedia about operation "Able Archer" launched in winter 83. Maybe you will know how dangerous was the situation then
because certain leader tried playing with fire. Of course we Indonesians fell gratitude for every US sincere aids but I don't think it has something to do with this discussion.
@saptono Have had the opportunity to look up :"Able Archer," interestingly enough, this vent took place while I was stationed at Grand forks, ND, a SAC Base. Although I'm still unconvinced about the possibility of SAC delievering a pre-emptive strike, it does help understand Soviet perceptions of the period. First of all, Soviet leadership was beginning to see the handwriting on the wall, that being that the Cold War was not going in their favor. While I don't see President Reagan willingly
@saptono initiating a nuclear exchange, his administration did hold a harder line than that of his more mild-mannered predecessor Carter. Russias's overseas fortunes also had suffered some reverses with the Solidarity uprising in Poland and a poor performance in Afghanistan. Now couple this with natural Russian paranoia about invasion (well-founded, by the way, the Russian leadership of the period could remember the horror of being invaded by Nazis 40 years earlier) and the idea of the US
@saptono initiating a first strike may have seemed real to them. That indeed made this a dangerous period, any creature that feels cornered is at its most dangerous. I honestly don't recall these events making a difference on base, everything seemed business as usual except for all of the preperations and drills that were a normal part of an IG Inspection. No message was given us of a higher DEFCON level, as was the case in 1962. Perhaps ignorance on our part was bliss. In any event, the end of
@saptono the Cold War came that much closer under Gorbachov, with Reagan challenging him to tear down the Berlin Wall. Gorbechov ultimately complied, and the freedom-loving world rejoiced. Forgive an Old Cold Warrior for rattling on a bit, but i do take some pride in seeing SAC's job done successfully, that is, deterring Communist aggression without having to resort to nuclear weapons. Please also forgive any intemperance of tone in my previous postings, I feel compelled to defend my country's
@usafvet100 btw I've just seen a 15 hours video series called ' the Wings of Russia" in youtube. I found them as very comprehensive view about USSR and Russia Aviation Industry. Maybe you have same interest with me to viewing them. best regards.
@saptono stance against what I felt was a deplorable and repressive system of government which seemed bent on glabal conquest. I've nothing but sympathy for the misfortunes taking place in Indonesia, I was merely trying to point out that the US didn't try to take advantage of Indonesia's misfortunes for territorial gain.
@usafvet100 That's okay usafvet. I'm more than happy to found out that you were on SAC. Maybe I could ask more about military aviation especially of the USAF someday. Of all Military plane I love B 52 most. I have a model of it only to realized that it has unproportionally big wings as to make me think that if all 8 engines fall apart, it could still stay afloat in the air like a giant glider. And then I further realized that all bombers should have big wing and powerful engines.
@saptono You've got to see a B-52 up-close to realize how massive it is, and yes, it has a tremendous wing-span. Perhaps you noticed the "outrigger" landing gear wheels that extend from the wingtips, with full wing fuel tanks the outrigger wheels touch the ground. When not full, the wheels are about 1 meter above the runway while taxiing. The wing flexes a great deal while in flight, which causes the fuselage skin to be wrinkled around the wing roots. Perhaps your model also includes
@saptono the massive "fowler flaps" that extend from the wings' trailing edges. We had Gs and Hs at Grand Forks, the Gs' engines were J-57s, and like the ones in the video clip, they emitted a lot of smoke. They also emitted an ear-splitting high-frequency shriek that wasn't fun to be around. The H's turbofans were quieter. Inside the aircraft, It's amazing how cramped the crew's quarters are, and what little space there is is taken up with instruments, electronic and avionics gear. Those
@saptono CHROMEDOME continuous airborne alert flights couldn't have been fun for the crew. We instead were doing ground alert in the early 80s, with the armed B-52s and supporting KC-135s on the "Alert Pad," which was guarded like Fort Knox. IF the call came, the bombers would MITO as shown in this clip, with the tankers following.
I believe that the B-52 had a negative glide angle - with engines cut the plane would drop 8 feet for every 1 foot it went forward. This plane reinforced the old saying in those days that the Air Force could fly a house if it had enough power.
Yet another fine Cold-War Era US 'propaganda' type movie - but rightfully so, given the joint paranoia of those days (both USA & USSR). This particular scene is a stand-out highlight of this movie .. & both of these actors were really very good at their craft, too. I remember seeing this movie as a youngster, and I still love watching re-runs of it today !! The Good Guys versus The Evil Empire. Go you Good Things !!
@anthony2154 A Gathering of Eagles, 1963. Most of it was filmed at Beale Aif Force Base, CA. They were given persission to film a real-time MITO drill. My dad is flying one of the planes. Join my Facebook group I created for this movie, search Gathering of Eagles the movie, if interested.
@Eirik36 Hey you need the visors to keep the sun outta your eyes right? :P Can't do that these days with the stupid flight (garrison) caps being the only issue cover. Service Caps are all BYO...so I gladly parted with $34 for the option and peer-teasing be damned lol.
@Eirik36 Yeah but Aircrew Aviators are notoriously hard to keep on your face under heavy winds. Bayonet Temples, made for wearing with headsets. Wouldn't want to have one fall on the tarmac and break. Didn't have easy internet mail orders back then for replacements, heheh.
The studio lost the first film on the "cutting room" floor. Therefore, they had to retake the whole location shoots. It was a different time of the next year.
I have not seen this discussed, so I wanted to add it to the history of the film.
I worked on the B-52G's with the Tail Fire Control System (four 50mm guns). The gunner was up front using CCTV and tail radar to seek targets. Later, this system was removed since tail protection was obsolete; ECM ruled.
@olinr2007 Good for you! Seriously. How special it truly is that you were there serving. My hat's off to you. What did you mean when you stated "they lost the first one"? First film capture? I'm glad you were there to see this.
Let me repeat this: they are really standing next to the runway while the planes are taking off. I'm sure the audio/voices were overdubbed. I have a picture of Hudson and Taylor and the film crew filming this. My dad is flying one of the B52s. if you're on Facebook I have devoted a fan site to this movie - just search "Gathering of Eagles the movie". If you look again at this video you can see a shadow of some of the filming equipment.
@transdrole Why? Look at my response above that has received positive responses. In spite of what Rock Hudson may have been or what people believe or know of him, it was just plain, flat out cool that they filmed this alongside the runway when a MITO was done. The best part of this is the MITO itself. Unfortunately, I believe the USAF may be a more watered down version now from what existed when SAC existed and was the single biggest and most powerful command in military history.
@FylthyBeest Agreed...takes balls to stand there in the jet wash.
Hudson gets credit here for keeping his head straight. I'd be hard pressed to remember to say my lines, what with my mouth hanging open, blabbering "That was AWESOME."
@snidelywhiplash Thanks for the endorsement and the comments. Have you seen the early 80's Exercise Global Shield 16-ship MITO at the YouTube post, "Global Shield.mpg". Excellent amateur video shot by some of the maintainers at Griffiss AFB.
@transdrole Sorry, they can't wear any "breathing filters" without being trained on the specifics of "Respiratory Protection"...and officers such as these would have to be dragged kicking and screaming for such an irregular-to-them event. I should know, I ran the such a program in a B-52 base for awhile, and it's hard enough to get the regular ground crew in that schedule, lol.
Thank you very very much for posting this. I was born at Castle AFB and this is pretty much my first and early memories from the flightline when I was taken out from the base housing to see this plane. The AMG28 Hounddog remember well. Castle was first to get the B52 in wich my father was one of the navigator instructors who actually had higher scores than Lemay... on the first nonstop around world by jet aircraft missions originating from Castle. Thanks again!
Were those two men actually standing just off the runway while those jets were taking off or is that a Hollywood illusion cut and paste type of scene?
@sanfranciscobay Yes. It's Rock Hudson and Rod Taylor from the 1963 movie, "A Gathering of Eagles". And yes, they are standing alongside the runway during this Minimum Interval Takeoff (MITO). It was filmed, I believe, at Beale AFB, CA.
I got the privilage of standing beside the runway during a MITO takeoff back in 1988. This was at Blytheville AFB (later changed to Eaker AFB before the base closed). It was quite impressive! Those turbojets sure could make some noise!
Besides the turbulence from the plane that took off ahead of you, the MITO was dangerous because, if you were one of the lead planes, if you had engine problems, you couldn't abort takeoff. There was was another plane rapidly approaching you from behind.
@Tubetopfan1 I too, had the privilage of witnessing more MITOs than I can recall during most of the 80's. 'H' models at Ellsworth (although they had water burning 'A' model tankers) & both water injection J57-59W on the 'G' model bombers & the ever present 'A' model KC-135's. I should have taken more pictures.
Yes this is from a movie - "A Gathering of Eagles", which IMBD lists as coming out in 1963. As far as these being the G model, hard to say - the easiest way to tell would be to look at the tail and see if the gunner position is stil there or not - with the G's they moved teh gunner up to the main crew compartment. Still, if you look at the IMDB comments section, there are peopel who claimed they were at the base where this was filmed and they indicate these were indeed the G model.
B-52G Stratofortresses with AGM-68 Hound Dog missiles- complete with unarmed thermonuclear warheads aboard each missile of around 4 MT yield each. What you see in this video is an actual SAC alert exercise at Beale AFB CA that was filmed to allow for a real life scene to be incorporated into the fictitious film being made based upon actual SAC operational capabilities during that time.
BTW- H model has distinctive engine frontal area with larger intakes. (TF-33 engines)
@TISAC1 Yep, scroll back some. My dad was flying one of these big'ns. Look to the right in "related videos" I have an uploaded (bad quality) scene of one of the refueling scenes, my dad was the pilot in this scene. Also, started a "Gathering of Eagles The Movie" group in facebook if interested.
Long time since I've seen anyone in 1505's, or that much smoke from BUFF engines. We were some of the last to get 1505's issued in '76 and I think last wear date was sometime in 77. Of course with Hounddog missiles that was much earlier.
Compared to real-world protocols .. ear / eye protection, et al .. even in the early 60s .. this footage from this great movie is nonetheless very thrilling & exciting. Could've been used for a Recruitment Drive !! Rod Taylor .. the expat Australian Actor well-known during the late 50s & on thr'out the 60s .. was a truly gifted actor, who, like the legendary George Reeves, possessed that certain special gift they call CHARISMA. He brought added-value & great cred to every role he ever played.
Awesome film from 1963, but it looks like they`re not wearing any kind of hearing protection. Anybody who has ever watched a BUFF take-off knows that it is very LOUD!!!
And note too at the very beginning he mentions they use to "take them off thirty seconds apart to avoid the prop wash". He was probably making a reference to the B-36.
water only, but it was demineralized without any other by products. you cant drink pure H2O- it is considered poison by your body, and is rejected. We yhad to fill the KC 135s with it before every mission, especially in hot weather. The J-57 turbojets were of insufficient thrust for a fully loaded alert aircraft to fly with without the water added thrust.
distilled water isnt demineralizaed water- Ask an MD if you doubt me. Demineralized water is byproduct of hydrogen combustion, where it is/was then used by jet engines for thrust augmentation.
Flight crews had bigger "nads" than any of us. See what you would do screaming along at ~treetop level with blast shields down, relying totally on the instruments and electronics not to run you into anything. The hardest things for civilians to understand is that you had no choice in the matter. Disobeying a lawful order had serious consequences. These crews flew knowing that if they had to drop their ordinance, life that they left back home would be very different "if" they returned.
As noisy and smokey as those beautiful aircraft are, they must have been standing next to a video screen. But I loved this movie, and long ago bought it as a rememberence of my days back at Griffiss AFB...
They weren't - this was a "live" exercise they were allowed to film. I have devoted a Facebook group to GOE as my dad was flying a B52 in this scene. On it, you can see a pic of the production crew filming this scene.
@briarsmoke As BadSneakers points out, this was filmed during an actual exercise. The reason the voices sound strange is because of ADR in post production. There is no way their voices could have been recorded over the din those ships were making.
Anyone privileged enough to be allowed to stand alongside a runway and witness a five-ship B-52 MITO take off in two minutes doesn't need or want ear defense.
@FylthyBeest As a flightline cop back in the 80s, I got to witness a MITO. I spent a couple of years working around BUFFS and tankers. Before the KC-135s got the new engines, they were WAAYYY louder than the 52s.
@FylthyBeest I (don't/can't) hear ya there. End of runway crew for a while at Nellis doing arm/disarm and even with most times having muffs on I still have problems with some sound ranges. It is quite a thing to be near the taxiway and runway when aircraft go - I can imagine the rush that carrier crews get lauching with the catapult right under the wing.
early jet engines used a total loss oiling system adding to the smoke. Newer designs took care of that. Heck, they had degreasers back then that would melt skin. Wish I could find a video of B-58 MITO.
I was in the A.F. for 8 yrs. in the '80's as a jet mech. 6 yrs. at Ellsworth where we had 'H' models, but all the '135's' were still using J57-59W's. Water injection take offs were always fun to watch. My last year & a half was at Loring which had 'G' models. MITO take offs were always impressive to watch. The pilots from about #3 on back had their hands full fighting all the turbulence from the ones ahead.
Absolutely correct. It is called wake turbulence and it is mighty scary when you are heavyweight with fuel and live nuclear weapons as SAC alert crews were at this point in Cold War time.
Water-injected P&W J57s. Water was injected to increase thrust during take-off, therefore you get a ton of smoke during take-off. The smoke during flight was not apparent. And the MiG pilots need radars because B-52Ds shot the suckers down over Vie
Brings back how smoggy those things were up to the 70's. Most jets, anyway.
Ilicium 1 month ago
the smell of jp4 in the morning...wonderful,eh?
crotchboots 2 months ago
Amazing CGI effects on those B-52s here in making this scene consider the technologies they had back then...HEY, WHERE'S MAJOR KONG!!!
phambo101 2 months ago
My dad was flying one of these BUFFs - Beale AFB, 1963 (at least that's when the movie was released.) I have a pic behind this of the film crew filming this. Note to the right of Rock and Rod - and you can see a shadow of film equipment.
BadSneakers 3 months ago
Be Alert For Wake Turbulence.....My Ass!
Starting To Wobble....My Ass!
That must have been like taking off in a Hurricane.
And those pre-turbofan Buffs were all smoke....I am sure that made the climb out a bitch.
Plus the fact that RVR probably went to zero after 2 or 3 planes.
I wonder if Rod Taylor knew about Rock Hudson's...uh.....well...you know.
hammerogod 4 months ago
I can't help but miss good old SAC.
legendofwayne 6 months ago
During Desert Storm we watched several B52s take off loaded heavy.
Their engines make a distinctive growling sound as they go in circles
until they gain altitude.
Haven't heard that in these videos yet but only B52s do it. Once you
hear it you never forget it.
One day I was at the end of the runway directly under the spot where
those gigantic planes lifted off. It was a roar like the crack of doom
and choking kerosene exhaust when those big birds passed over.
GooglFascists 6 months ago
hahaha yes Rock Hudson would have liked SAC
404Jeffery 6 months ago
yeah b52 with the old loud dirty turbojets :)
frotttiop 6 months ago
I still recall the sound of 4 J57 "steam jets" at t/o power on tankers. Talk about loud!
beerbrewer737 7 months ago
@beerbrewer737 As a firefighter I had to do standby when a KC-135 was doing a rapid defuel- the truck would be parked about 50 yards from the tanker. At least one of the engines had to be at full-throttle, even with our mickey mouse ears on it was still an ear-splitting shreik. Our H-model BUFFs had turbofans- they were much quieter and not quite as smokey as the G models.
usafvet100 7 months ago
@usafvet100 LOL...I also worked "E" model tankers (with TF-33's) and while the low bypass fans mad less noise than the turbojets (J57) they were loud too!
beerbrewer737 7 months ago
@beerbrewer737 The SAC days are apparently gone for good after Mr. Gorbachov tore down that wall. There was nothing like seeing the BUFFs MITO off the runway. I always had a front-row seat since we had to post the crash trucks alongside the runway just in case. A bit sobering to do standby on the Alert Pad in the wee hours while the ordnance crews were uploading/maintaining the SRAMs. But our motto was "Peace is Our Profession," we kept the Russkis at bay for 40 years till USSR collapsed.
usafvet100 7 months ago
@usafvet100 Sorry to say that it was US kept at bay by the USSR rather than so. US has always tendency to attack any other weak countries and the US knew that USSR was not a weaker target. The term "Cold War" was based of this uncomfortably situation for the US. It should spelled l "Hot Peace" instead.
saptono 4 months ago
@saptono I'm afraid you're mistaken, my friend. The Cold War began immediately after World War II, did it not? What overseas possessions were added to the US in that time? Meanwhile, the Russian bear gobbled up Poland, East Germany, Romania, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, all of Eastern Europe. Yes or no? Who tried to starve West Berlin into submission in 1947? Who built a wall to keep their citizens in who were desperately trying to escape the "Worker's Paradise?" Who but Joseph Stalin killed some 20
usafvet100 4 months ago
@saptono million of his own people? Who but Mao Tse Tung killed even more Chinese? Who but Pol Pot slaughtered more than half of Cambodia's population? The Korean War was a U.N. Sanctioned response to Kim il Jong's attempt to impose his absolute dictatorship on his neighbors to the South. Vietnam was a debacle that we never should have gotten mixed up in, but we lost at the cost of 56,000 Americans KIA. Is that enough to satisfy you? We never invaded Cuba, but prevented them from installing
usafvet100 4 months ago
@saptono nuclear ICBMs 90 miles from our shores. No, my, friend, our motto at SAC was "Peace is Our Profession." We were NEVER committed to a first strike against the USSR, had we launched our bombers and ICBMs, it would have only been because the SS20s and Bear Bombers were on their way, and I and the rest of the support team on base would have had seconds to live. Finally, who won the Cold War, hmmmm? It's not the former USA, you know, it's the former Soviet Union.
usafvet100 4 months ago
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@usafvet100 "We were NEVER committed to a first strike against the USSR, had we launched our bombers and ICBMs, it would have only been because the SS20s and Bear Bombers were on their way,"
Haha EVERY russian bomber+sumarine crew say THE SAME. You were all brainwashed. Nation, peace, honor, defense. Pecakeeping hypocrites. Pity both military systems didn't fall, the world pays for this.
krbosak 4 months ago
@saptono BTW, the Us has sent billions in humanitarian Aid to Indonesia over the years with no attempt to plant the Stars and Stripes there. How do you account for that?
usafvet100 4 months ago
@usafvet100 Whatever cold war was, we should thanks for its existence as otherwise we all know what would happened. For information of my perception about Cold War please check wikipedia about operation "Able Archer" launched in winter 83. Maybe you will know how dangerous was the situation then
because certain leader tried playing with fire. Of course we Indonesians fell gratitude for every US sincere aids but I don't think it has something to do with this discussion.
saptono 4 months ago
@saptono Have had the opportunity to look up :"Able Archer," interestingly enough, this vent took place while I was stationed at Grand forks, ND, a SAC Base. Although I'm still unconvinced about the possibility of SAC delievering a pre-emptive strike, it does help understand Soviet perceptions of the period. First of all, Soviet leadership was beginning to see the handwriting on the wall, that being that the Cold War was not going in their favor. While I don't see President Reagan willingly
usafvet100 4 months ago
@saptono initiating a nuclear exchange, his administration did hold a harder line than that of his more mild-mannered predecessor Carter. Russias's overseas fortunes also had suffered some reverses with the Solidarity uprising in Poland and a poor performance in Afghanistan. Now couple this with natural Russian paranoia about invasion (well-founded, by the way, the Russian leadership of the period could remember the horror of being invaded by Nazis 40 years earlier) and the idea of the US
usafvet100 4 months ago
@saptono initiating a first strike may have seemed real to them. That indeed made this a dangerous period, any creature that feels cornered is at its most dangerous. I honestly don't recall these events making a difference on base, everything seemed business as usual except for all of the preperations and drills that were a normal part of an IG Inspection. No message was given us of a higher DEFCON level, as was the case in 1962. Perhaps ignorance on our part was bliss. In any event, the end of
usafvet100 4 months ago
@saptono the Cold War came that much closer under Gorbachov, with Reagan challenging him to tear down the Berlin Wall. Gorbechov ultimately complied, and the freedom-loving world rejoiced. Forgive an Old Cold Warrior for rattling on a bit, but i do take some pride in seeing SAC's job done successfully, that is, deterring Communist aggression without having to resort to nuclear weapons. Please also forgive any intemperance of tone in my previous postings, I feel compelled to defend my country's
usafvet100 4 months ago
@usafvet100 btw I've just seen a 15 hours video series called ' the Wings of Russia" in youtube. I found them as very comprehensive view about USSR and Russia Aviation Industry. Maybe you have same interest with me to viewing them. best regards.
saptono 4 months ago
@saptono stance against what I felt was a deplorable and repressive system of government which seemed bent on glabal conquest. I've nothing but sympathy for the misfortunes taking place in Indonesia, I was merely trying to point out that the US didn't try to take advantage of Indonesia's misfortunes for territorial gain.
usafvet100 4 months ago
@usafvet100 That's okay usafvet. I'm more than happy to found out that you were on SAC. Maybe I could ask more about military aviation especially of the USAF someday. Of all Military plane I love B 52 most. I have a model of it only to realized that it has unproportionally big wings as to make me think that if all 8 engines fall apart, it could still stay afloat in the air like a giant glider. And then I further realized that all bombers should have big wing and powerful engines.
saptono 4 months ago
@saptono You've got to see a B-52 up-close to realize how massive it is, and yes, it has a tremendous wing-span. Perhaps you noticed the "outrigger" landing gear wheels that extend from the wingtips, with full wing fuel tanks the outrigger wheels touch the ground. When not full, the wheels are about 1 meter above the runway while taxiing. The wing flexes a great deal while in flight, which causes the fuselage skin to be wrinkled around the wing roots. Perhaps your model also includes
usafvet100 4 months ago
@saptono the massive "fowler flaps" that extend from the wings' trailing edges. We had Gs and Hs at Grand Forks, the Gs' engines were J-57s, and like the ones in the video clip, they emitted a lot of smoke. They also emitted an ear-splitting high-frequency shriek that wasn't fun to be around. The H's turbofans were quieter. Inside the aircraft, It's amazing how cramped the crew's quarters are, and what little space there is is taken up with instruments, electronic and avionics gear. Those
usafvet100 4 months ago
@saptono CHROMEDOME continuous airborne alert flights couldn't have been fun for the crew. We instead were doing ground alert in the early 80s, with the armed B-52s and supporting KC-135s on the "Alert Pad," which was guarded like Fort Knox. IF the call came, the bombers would MITO as shown in this clip, with the tankers following.
usafvet100 4 months ago
@saptono
I believe that the B-52 had a negative glide angle - with engines cut the plane would drop 8 feet for every 1 foot it went forward. This plane reinforced the old saying in those days that the Air Force could fly a house if it had enough power.
DOWMER297 1 week ago
@DOWMER297 Thanks for that. It gave me some aeronautical knowledge.
saptono 1 week ago
Yet another fine Cold-War Era US 'propaganda' type movie - but rightfully so, given the joint paranoia of those days (both USA & USSR). This particular scene is a stand-out highlight of this movie .. & both of these actors were really very good at their craft, too. I remember seeing this movie as a youngster, and I still love watching re-runs of it today !! The Good Guys versus The Evil Empire. Go you Good Things !!
colindominy 7 months ago
note the ghey assholes that know nothing about timing takeoffs properly.... ass holes... STFU with this i love lucy style shit.
asv4k8 7 months ago
But it gives a heall alot of a smoke which damages the atmospher ALOT.
Zam0rak41 9 months ago
@Zam0rak41 Smoke was and is a very small price to pay for security.
FylthyBeest 8 months ago
@FylthyBeest I grew up in the early 60's hearing sonic booms almost every day..a very comforting sound.
fernfeyes 8 months ago
@fernfeyes Absolutely. The sound of freedom. Good for you and your spirit of patriotism.
FylthyBeest 8 months ago
@FylthyBeest This IS the only good comment on here.
asv4k8 7 months ago
Comment removed
FylthyBeest 7 months ago
Those B-2's sure don't look stealthy
MrTravton 9 months ago
@MrTravton They were never designed to be stealthy. They were designed to be killers.
FylthyBeest 8 months ago
@FylthyBeest I was making a joke--notice how I claimed to think they were the B-2 Spirit, not the B-52 Strato.
MrTravton 8 months ago
is this from a movie, and if so, what is it?
anthony2154 9 months ago
@anthony2154 A Gathering of Eagles, 1963. Most of it was filmed at Beale Aif Force Base, CA. They were given persission to film a real-time MITO drill. My dad is flying one of the planes. Join my Facebook group I created for this movie, search Gathering of Eagles the movie, if interested.
BadSneakers 8 months ago
@BadSneakers no fuck you and facebook trying to gather fame for someone elses work.
asv4k8 7 months ago
@asv4k8 Go fuck yourself you half-baked fuck stick
BadSneakers 7 months ago in playlist B52
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Brings back memories of my two years working B52F models at Carswell AFB in Ft. Worth. I really enjoyed the '52.
Ektomias 9 months ago
Brings back memories of my two years working B52F models at Carswell AFB in Ft. Worth. I really enjoyed the '52.
Ektomias 9 months ago
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do those motors run on coal
crissy214 10 months ago
do those enging run on coal
crissy214 10 months ago
WOW THEY SMOKED ALOT
sertox12345 10 months ago
@sertox12345 Yes. And, for good reason.
FylthyBeest 8 months ago
And we blame the greenhouse effect on cars....
Azbill001 10 months ago
1505 great uniform!! should be brought back!!
cubby86x 11 months ago
When the ist B52G landed at Dow AFB I ran in front of it on the taxi runway I was
so excited and after six months I couldn't stand them anymore. When we had alerts
we had to sleep next to them.... I spent a total of two years with them and worked with
Boeing to get parts for mainenance. The crew chiefs on these planes were really tops
and I had alot of respect for these gentlemen, I was in SAC and I enjoyed it..
1938dmkdz 11 months ago
The dialog is fakey and completely unrealistic for AF officers, but I love seeing and hearing those G's do MITOs.
RManBB2010 11 months ago
Its important to yell CHECK!!!
cardioflow 1 year ago
Yeah, take that EPA
GunsOfThePhoenix 1 year ago
What movie is this from?
CHiPsFan01 1 year ago
@CHiPsFan01 "A Gathering of Eagles".
FylthyBeest 1 year ago
covers on the flight line? haha holywood...
Eirik36 1 year ago
@Eirik36 Hey you need the visors to keep the sun outta your eyes right? :P Can't do that these days with the stupid flight (garrison) caps being the only issue cover. Service Caps are all BYO...so I gladly parted with $34 for the option and peer-teasing be damned lol.
RingSight91 1 year ago
@RingSight91 well they could be wearing some aviators haha
Eirik36 1 year ago
@Eirik36 Yeah but Aircrew Aviators are notoriously hard to keep on your face under heavy winds. Bayonet Temples, made for wearing with headsets. Wouldn't want to have one fall on the tarmac and break. Didn't have easy internet mail orders back then for replacements, heheh.
RingSight91 1 year ago
@RingSight91 haha true, well uuhh, maybe they shouldn't wear any type of cover or glasses haha
Eirik36 1 year ago
Thank you for your comments.
The studio lost the first film on the "cutting room" floor. Therefore, they had to retake the whole location shoots. It was a different time of the next year.
I have not seen this discussed, so I wanted to add it to the history of the film.
I worked on the B-52G's with the Tail Fire Control System (four 50mm guns). The gunner was up front using CCTV and tail radar to seek targets. Later, this system was removed since tail protection was obsolete; ECM ruled.
olinr2007 1 year ago
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olinr2007 1 year ago
We were there! I was an Airman serving at Beale AFB when this film was made. Our mobile home was near the end of the flight line.What memories.
BTW, they had to take two times to film since they lost the first one. We were allowed to "Stand down" during the filming.
olinr2007 1 year ago
@olinr2007 Good for you! Seriously. How special it truly is that you were there serving. My hat's off to you. What did you mean when you stated "they lost the first one"? First film capture? I'm glad you were there to see this.
FylthyBeest 1 year ago
Let me repeat this: they are really standing next to the runway while the planes are taking off. I'm sure the audio/voices were overdubbed. I have a picture of Hudson and Taylor and the film crew filming this. My dad is flying one of the B52s. if you're on Facebook I have devoted a fan site to this movie - just search "Gathering of Eagles the movie". If you look again at this video you can see a shadow of some of the filming equipment.
BadSneakers 1 year ago
OOOOh, what a bunch of stratofortresses.
prjibaro1 1 year ago
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Dalton2709 1 year ago
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Dalton2709 1 year ago
maybe they should have worn some kind of breathing filter!
transdrole 1 year ago
@transdrole Why? Look at my response above that has received positive responses. In spite of what Rock Hudson may have been or what people believe or know of him, it was just plain, flat out cool that they filmed this alongside the runway when a MITO was done. The best part of this is the MITO itself. Unfortunately, I believe the USAF may be a more watered down version now from what existed when SAC existed and was the single biggest and most powerful command in military history.
FylthyBeest 1 year ago 8
@FylthyBeest Agreed...takes balls to stand there in the jet wash.
Hudson gets credit here for keeping his head straight. I'd be hard pressed to remember to say my lines, what with my mouth hanging open, blabbering "That was AWESOME."
snidelywhiplash 5 months ago
@snidelywhiplash Thanks for the endorsement and the comments. Have you seen the early 80's Exercise Global Shield 16-ship MITO at the YouTube post, "Global Shield.mpg". Excellent amateur video shot by some of the maintainers at Griffiss AFB.
FylthyBeest 5 months ago
@transdrole Sorry, they can't wear any "breathing filters" without being trained on the specifics of "Respiratory Protection"...and officers such as these would have to be dragged kicking and screaming for such an irregular-to-them event. I should know, I ran the such a program in a B-52 base for awhile, and it's hard enough to get the regular ground crew in that schedule, lol.
RingSight91 1 year ago
Thank you very very much for posting this. I was born at Castle AFB and this is pretty much my first and early memories from the flightline when I was taken out from the base housing to see this plane. The AMG28 Hounddog remember well. Castle was first to get the B52 in wich my father was one of the navigator instructors who actually had higher scores than Lemay... on the first nonstop around world by jet aircraft missions originating from Castle. Thanks again!
castleafb 1 year ago
Look at all the shite comming out of those engines lol.
tom211t 1 year ago
@tom211t It's not shit. It's freedom.
FylthyBeest 1 year ago
BEST aviation sequence filmed in Hollywood history!
B1900pilot 1 year ago
@B1900pilot
Were those two men actually standing just off the runway while those jets were taking off or is that a Hollywood illusion cut and paste type of scene?
sanfranciscobay 1 year ago
@sanfranciscobay Yes. It's Rock Hudson and Rod Taylor from the 1963 movie, "A Gathering of Eagles". And yes, they are standing alongside the runway during this Minimum Interval Takeoff (MITO). It was filmed, I believe, at Beale AFB, CA.
FylthyBeest 1 year ago 2
NOW this is better then a B-52 fly over having 5 in front of you omg. wow.
SaberTanker22 1 year ago
I'm pretty sure I just saw Rock grab Roberts ass. may have been CGI.
treasureis1 1 year ago
@treasureis1 I would not doubt that notion, for, Rock was a homo back in his days before he died of AIDS!!!
grumpypant 1 year ago
I got the privilage of standing beside the runway during a MITO takeoff back in 1988. This was at Blytheville AFB (later changed to Eaker AFB before the base closed). It was quite impressive! Those turbojets sure could make some noise!
Besides the turbulence from the plane that took off ahead of you, the MITO was dangerous because, if you were one of the lead planes, if you had engine problems, you couldn't abort takeoff. There was was another plane rapidly approaching you from behind.
Tubetopfan1 1 year ago
@Tubetopfan1 I too, had the privilage of witnessing more MITOs than I can recall during most of the 80's. 'H' models at Ellsworth (although they had water burning 'A' model tankers) & both water injection J57-59W on the 'G' model bombers & the ever present 'A' model KC-135's. I should have taken more pictures.
kolbpilot 1 year ago
Wow! Wanna see this in real life that close!
TeufelsroIIer 1 year ago
Thomas Jeffersons force feeding USSR cold war reaction, at a mistaken service for nazi refugees . Suckers.
miguelmouta 1 year ago
Thomas Jeffersons Army feeding USSR cold war reaction, at a mistaken service for nazi refugees . Suckers.
miguelmouta 1 year ago
Yes this is from a movie - "A Gathering of Eagles", which IMBD lists as coming out in 1963. As far as these being the G model, hard to say - the easiest way to tell would be to look at the tail and see if the gunner position is stil there or not - with the G's they moved teh gunner up to the main crew compartment. Still, if you look at the IMDB comments section, there are peopel who claimed they were at the base where this was filmed and they indicate these were indeed the G model.
Cartoonman42 1 year ago
@Cartoonman42
B-52G Stratofortresses with AGM-68 Hound Dog missiles- complete with unarmed thermonuclear warheads aboard each missile of around 4 MT yield each. What you see in this video is an actual SAC alert exercise at Beale AFB CA that was filmed to allow for a real life scene to be incorporated into the fictitious film being made based upon actual SAC operational capabilities during that time.
BTW- H model has distinctive engine frontal area with larger intakes. (TF-33 engines)
TISAC1 1 year ago
@TISAC1 Yep, scroll back some. My dad was flying one of these big'ns. Look to the right in "related videos" I have an uploaded (bad quality) scene of one of the refueling scenes, my dad was the pilot in this scene. Also, started a "Gathering of Eagles The Movie" group in facebook if interested.
BadSneakers 1 year ago
@Cartoonman42
Correction-HD wasn't AGM 68- was AGM-28
Thx
TISAC1 1 year ago
is this a scene from a movie..???? :-s
RedHatExpress 1 year ago
So, were the actors really that close to the runway or is that all on blue screen?
SoaringEagle2005 1 year ago
@SoaringEagle2005 Blue Screen did not exist in 1957. That was all done "On Location". They were that close to the runway.
devildoc225 8 months ago
Is that Rock Hudson?
theknightlynews 1 year ago
@theknightlynews Rock Hudson and Rod Taylor
penguin217 1 year ago
Long time since I've seen anyone in 1505's, or that much smoke from BUFF engines. We were some of the last to get 1505's issued in '76 and I think last wear date was sometime in 77. Of course with Hounddog missiles that was much earlier.
rhblakeman 1 year ago
wow mouch co2
Padrino295 1 year ago
Can anyone say "Air Pollution"!
Evolition180 1 year ago
@Evolition180 That "air pollution" kept millions of people safe during very turbulent times.
FylthyBeest 1 year ago 25
Compared to real-world protocols .. ear / eye protection, et al .. even in the early 60s .. this footage from this great movie is nonetheless very thrilling & exciting. Could've been used for a Recruitment Drive !! Rod Taylor .. the expat Australian Actor well-known during the late 50s & on thr'out the 60s .. was a truly gifted actor, who, like the legendary George Reeves, possessed that certain special gift they call CHARISMA. He brought added-value & great cred to every role he ever played.
colindominy 1 year ago
Loving the thick black smoke - f*ck global warming haha!!
smellybridge 1 year ago 2
Yes, from a wonderful old movie film clip. But, still great!
I saw our B-52s and KC-135s do this during ORI and other exercises.
USAF SAC 380th SAW vet
380AMS 1 year ago
Awesome film from 1963, but it looks like they`re not wearing any kind of hearing protection. Anybody who has ever watched a BUFF take-off knows that it is very LOUD!!!
And note too at the very beginning he mentions they use to "take them off thirty seconds apart to avoid the prop wash". He was probably making a reference to the B-36.
mattsieluv 1 year ago
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mattsieluv 1 year ago
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mattsieluv 1 year ago
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1938dmkdz 1 year ago
1938dmkdz
During alerts this crap would really get to us if we were on the flight line and loud as hell, one time I saw 21 take off
and we were being graded by a 3 star general who I thought was one of the most down to earth persons I met..
1938dmkdz 1 year ago
In these days, such airplane would be shot by Greenpeace.
Anyway, it looks quite great.
DerAdventurer 2 years ago
water only, but it was demineralized without any other by products. you cant drink pure H2O- it is considered poison by your body, and is rejected. We yhad to fill the KC 135s with it before every mission, especially in hot weather. The J-57 turbojets were of insufficient thrust for a fully loaded alert aircraft to fly with without the water added thrust.
TISAC1 2 years ago
@TISAC1
Absolutely false, and ludicrous, that the body rejects pure, distilled water.
briarsmoke 2 years ago
distilled water isnt demineralizaed water- Ask an MD if you doubt me. Demineralized water is byproduct of hydrogen combustion, where it is/was then used by jet engines for thrust augmentation.
Thanks
TISAC1 2 years ago
Flight crews had bigger "nads" than any of us. See what you would do screaming along at ~treetop level with blast shields down, relying totally on the instruments and electronics not to run you into anything. The hardest things for civilians to understand is that you had no choice in the matter. Disobeying a lawful order had serious consequences. These crews flew knowing that if they had to drop their ordinance, life that they left back home would be very different "if" they returned.
dave11222 2 years ago 2
I can't believe how much smoke they used to belch out! Not just these either, all of 'em.
jpatt1000 2 years ago
@jpatt1000
That smokes actually from water injection to increase thrust.
drbackjack 8 months ago
@drbackjack no, thats from poorly tuned wwII engines running rich, water alcohol burns clean and make sno black smoke...
asv4k8 7 months ago
@asv4k8
right, because this is a wwII bomber.
drbackjack 7 months ago
As noisy and smokey as those beautiful aircraft are, they must have been standing next to a video screen. But I loved this movie, and long ago bought it as a rememberence of my days back at Griffiss AFB...
eachmorning 2 years ago
They weren't - this was a "live" exercise they were allowed to film. I have devoted a Facebook group to GOE as my dad was flying a B52 in this scene. On it, you can see a pic of the production crew filming this scene.
BadSneakers 2 years ago
@eachmorning
Sure sounded like they were in a studio in front of a video screen. Notice the echo when they speak?
briarsmoke 2 years ago
@briarsmoke As BadSneakers points out, this was filmed during an actual exercise. The reason the voices sound strange is because of ADR in post production. There is no way their voices could have been recorded over the din those ships were making.
ArcturysPrime 2 years ago
Yes, they could have done voice overdubs in the studio, buit they are there on runway. Again, I have a picture of them and the film crew filming it.
BadSneakers 2 years ago
damn those engines make alot of smoke, really cool clip!
blitz7341 2 years ago
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TruckDiver 2 years ago
Water/Methanol injection for take off
monaro632 2 years ago
What was the name of this movie?
pjk1649a 2 years ago
`A Gathering Of Eagles`
kevinabalo88 2 years ago
Did B52's ever use JATO? I heard that B47's using JATO used to shroud the base with smoke on takeoff.
towringer 2 years ago
no, they never used JATO, however they did use HOUND DOG missiles for extra propulsion
BQZip01 2 years ago
Ну и копоть! Что скажут экологи?
Buffik2000 2 years ago
@Buffik2000 Hopefully many ecologist will have a heart attack as consecuence...
matador5135 2 years ago
When I was on a B-52 G crew from 1959 to 1963 it was called MITO.
Rupee24 2 years ago
When did they start calling it MITO ? Back is the 70's it was SITO.
IC2720 2 years ago
I think either late 80's or early 90's after the Soviets fell.
umahuma4 2 years ago
the black smoke is just water injection
originalbrownirish 2 years ago 2
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umahuma4 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Outdated! Proof: too much smoke.
ghisfrederic 2 years ago
Shouldn't they have hearing protection?
westlock 2 years ago
Anyone privileged enough to be allowed to stand alongside a runway and witness a five-ship B-52 MITO take off in two minutes doesn't need or want ear defense.
FylthyBeest 2 years ago 34
@FylthyBeest no lie! Like I wrote below I have a pic of them and the crew filming this scene cause my dad is flying one of the B52s
BadSneakers 1 year ago
@FylthyBeest As a flightline cop back in the 80s, I got to witness a MITO. I spent a couple of years working around BUFFS and tankers. Before the KC-135s got the new engines, they were WAAYYY louder than the 52s.
USSLexington1709 1 year ago 2
@FylthyBeest I (don't/can't) hear ya there. End of runway crew for a while at Nellis doing arm/disarm and even with most times having muffs on I still have problems with some sound ranges. It is quite a thing to be near the taxiway and runway when aircraft go - I can imagine the rush that carrier crews get lauching with the catapult right under the wing.
rhblakeman 1 year ago
@FylthyBeest Well said and true
amishmike1 1 year ago
love the B52, smoke 'em you got em.
vincedog3 2 years ago
early jet engines used a total loss oiling system adding to the smoke. Newer designs took care of that. Heck, they had degreasers back then that would melt skin. Wish I could find a video of B-58 MITO.
speedskiff2 2 years ago
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Check my channel for B-58 MITO. :-)
mcdonnell220 2 years ago
B52's used a water injection system to add more thrust at take off. That's why the exhaust is really black, it's mostly steam and soot.
IC2720 2 years ago 22
@speedskiff2 >"they had degreasers back then that would melt skin"
LOL, thank goodness for bulk orders of Simple Green nowadays then. I've actually seen old files for the chemical requests of the stuff you mention.
RingSight91 1 year ago
Don't let the enviromentalists see this. They might try and ban the B-52. t. Talk about smokey. It's like a goddamn coal power sation.
theredraven 2 years ago 5
damn shits on fire
The007bdawg 2 years ago
talk a bout a smokey plane
1bearcatf8f 2 years ago
"I've talked to those who have". 'And, I've also checked his liquor bills at the club'.
kolbpilot 2 years ago
Am I wrong or are some of those five BUFFs 'tall tails'? The first is clearly a G, but some of the following look like D or F models.
porterosbornejr 2 years ago
I correct myself - those are all G's upon closer review.
porterosbornejr 2 years ago
The B-52G must be one of the loudest subsonic aircraft ever made, perhaps the loudest. And that smoke... Who needs turbofans? :)
koivis87 2 years ago
...and Rock Hudson then said, "Let's go back to my quarters for some real action."
fuzzypeach777 2 years ago 3
I was in the A.F. for 8 yrs. in the '80's as a jet mech. 6 yrs. at Ellsworth where we had 'H' models, but all the '135's' were still using J57-59W's. Water injection take offs were always fun to watch. My last year & a half was at Loring which had 'G' models. MITO take offs were always impressive to watch. The pilots from about #3 on back had their hands full fighting all the turbulence from the ones ahead.
kolbpilot 2 years ago
Wouldn't there be an issue with wind sear in such close intervals between take-offs? Is that why the aircraft were veering off at different angles?
mwp62 2 years ago
Absolutely correct. It is called wake turbulence and it is mighty scary when you are heavyweight with fuel and live nuclear weapons as SAC alert crews were at this point in Cold War time.
porterosbornejr 2 years ago
SAC crewdogs, love all that smoke, IMC on takeoff, very sporty. BT-DT.
hoku51 2 years ago
OMG WTF?!?! Your not supposed to have hats on the flight line!
5thmsg 2 years ago
rock hudsons butt was his cockpit.
jjjazzycraig 2 years ago
With all that smoke, what MiG pilot needs radar?
mpgingdl 2 years ago
Water-injected P&W J57s. Water was injected to increase thrust during take-off, therefore you get a ton of smoke during take-off. The smoke during flight was not apparent. And the MiG pilots need radars because B-52Ds shot the suckers down over Vie