B-52 FLYBY
These are some amazing shots of a B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber performing a low-level flyby of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger {CV-61} while over the Persian Gulf in 1990.
When the pilots requested the flyby of the Ranger’s air traffic controllers they didn’t tell the aircraft carriers radar operators that they would be doing it at a height BELOW the level of the Ranger’s flight deck.
So while everyone was looking up for the plane {since it wasn’t appearing on radar}, it passed by below the Ranger’s deck shocking everyone on board.
And although it may look as if the plane is about to crash into the sea, the B-52 in the picture is actually demonstrating one of the more unusual flight characteristics unique to that particular type plane — specifically that it can fly nose down while simultaneously gaining altitude.
Any other aircraft exhibiting the flight characteristics of the aircraft in the pictures would certainly have wound up in the ocean shortly after the pics were snapped.
In fact, the very first time I saw a Buff {Big Ugly Fat Fucker} take off from Kadena Air Base in a nose down configuration I thought it was about to crash.
August 27th, 2012 at 7:30 am
“If the pilot’s good, see, I mean if he’s reeeally sharp, he can barrel that baby in so low… oh you oughta see it sometime. It’s a sight. A big plane like a ’52… varrrooom! Its jet exhaust… frying chickens in the barnyard!”
August 27th, 2012 at 1:30 pm
Nice Dr. Strangelove reference Nate. Very nice!
August 27th, 2012 at 3:39 pm
Not only is the B-52 a huge airplane, which is hard to tell in comparison to the carrier, but most of them are your age, Scott.
My Dad flew seaplanes, and later Super Constellations on radar patrol and transport duty, so I can attest that flying a huge 8 engine bomber right down almost to the drink takes plenty of skill.