Air & Space Museum

Boeing B-52B Stratofortress

Boeing B-52B Stratofortress

Few other military aircraft have been in service as long as the Boeing B-52. First flown in 1952, the B-52 is still active in the US Air Force and is expected to remain in service for at least another 20 years.

Boeing began designing the B-52 soon after the end of World War II to meet an Air Force request for a bomber that could operate at intercontinental ranges without the need for a forward base.
Becoming operational in 1955, the B-52 became one leg of the “nuclear triad” that included Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs), and missile-armed submarines. Together, they deterred any nuclear attacks on the US. Although intended to carry nuclear weapons, in actual combat the B-52 has only dropped conventional bombs and launched cruise missiles. During the Vietnam War, B-52s dropped tens of thousands of bombs on North Vietnam. In 1991’s Operation Desert Storm, B-52s from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, flew the longest combat mission in history, (35 hours in the air), to launch cruise missiles at targets in Iraq and return home.

The B-52B Stratofortress on display at Wings Over the Rockies was the seventh B-52 built and was originally created as an RB-52B for long-range reconnaissance operations. The Air Force used it for avionics testing before being converting it into a bomber. Then it served with the 93rd Bomb Wing, where it served during the Cuban Missile Crisis. In 1966, it came to Lowry Air Force Base as a training airframe for munitions loading instruction.

The B-52B is on loan from the National Museum of the US Air Force.

Aircraft specifications:
Wingspan: 185 ft (56.4 m)
Length: 159 ft 4 in (48.6 m)
Maximum speed: 630 mph ( kp/h)
Maximum weight: 420,000 lb (190,509 kg)
Maximum internal bomb load: 43,000 lb ( kg)
Crew: Six (in B-52B)
Engines: Eight Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojets
Total thrust: 84,000 lbf (374 kN); 96,000 lbf (427 kN) with water injection

Air & Space Museum Air & Space Museum

Lowry - Denver

Air & Space Museum

Upcoming Events

Saturday Apr 8
9:30AM TO 1:00PM
Exploration of Flight

Private Pilot Ground School Begins

Saturday, Apr 8 | 9:30AM to 1:00PM

Saturdays 4/8/23 – 5/27/23
9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

This 8-week Ground School will cover the subject areas of the FAA Private Pilot Aeronautical Knowledge Exam. 

This course is taught by Certified Instructors, and materials are included! Classroom ground instruction offers a great way to start training as efficiently and economically as possible, providing a significant cost savings versus one-on-one lessons.

 

Topics include:

  • Aircraft Systems
  • Aerodynamics
  • Airports and Airspace
  • Flight Physiology
  • Performance Calculations
  • Navigation
  • And More!

Pricing:

Non-Member | $350.00 per registrant

Member | $300.00 per registrant

 

Next Class: On Saturdays from April 8th to May 27th, 9:30am – 1:00pm

This class is currently being reserved for Flight Training Scholarship applicants. Remaining seats will be sold at a later date. To join the waitlist, please click here.

 

Please Note:

Students should bring a notebook and/or a personal device for notetaking.

Participants must be 14 years or older.

Saturday Apr 8
9:30AM TO 12:30PM
Exploration of Flight

Breakfast Fly-In

Breakfast Fly-In
Saturday, Apr 8 | 9:30AM to 12:30PM

Join Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight for monthly fly-ins featuring planes, pilots and breakfast!

Spend Saturday* morning watching aircraft fly in, enjoy breakfast from a local food truck and explore interactive exhibits and simulators.

Purchase Tickets

*Please note that this event is taking place on the 2nd Saturday of the month instead of the 1st Saturday.

Food Truck: Bruncholero
Please note: Food purchases are not included in admission.

Pilots – Fly in for free breakfast! For tie-down space, contact Flight@WingsMuseum.org or 303.360.5360 ext 160.

*Weather permitting

Saturday Apr 8
10:00AM TO 2:00PM
Air & Space Museum

Cockpit Demo Day

Cockpit Demo Day
Saturday, Apr 8 | 10:00AM to 2:00PM

Get an up close look inside select aircraft at the museum and learn all about the history of the aircraft, instruments and controls!

Featured Aircraft in April:

  • Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 MLD
  • LTV A-7D Corsair II
  • Alexander Eaglerock
  • Cessna U-3A (Wheelchair accessible)
  • Bede BD-5 (Wheelchair accessible)

Purchase Tickets

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