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 Oct 7
9:30AM TO 12:30PM
Exploration of Flight

Breakfast Fly-In

Breakfast Fly-In
Saturday, Oct 7 | 9:30AM to 12:30PM

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

On the first Saturday of every month, enjoy breakfast from a local food truck, watch aircraft fly in and explore interactive exhibits and simulators.

Purchase Tickets

Food Truck: Cruz In & Eat
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.

Saturday Oct 14
9:00AM TO 2:00PM
Exploration of Flight

Round Engine Roundup with an Eclipse Encounter

Round Engine Roundup with an Eclipse Encounter
Saturday, Oct 14 | 9:00AM to 2:00PM

Join us at Exploration of Flight for a roundup of round engine aircraft, featuring the Sea Fury. Plus, view the 2023 Annular Eclipse from Centennial Airport! Build your own telescope and create a moon phase calendar at our learning stations, followed by an educational talk about the eclipse from Wings Over the Rockies Curator Chuck Stout.

Arrive early for prime eclipse viewing, as the eclipse is expected to be visible in the area around 10:30 a.m. The first 100 people will receive free eclipse glasses to safely view the eclipse. Additional glasses will be for sale.

Pre-Purchase Tickets

Food Truck: Colorado Coney Company

Saturday Oct 14
10:00AM TO 11:00AM

Teachers Only | Professional Development: Nose Art

Teachers Only | Professional Development: Nose Art
Saturday, Oct 14 | 10:00AM to 11:00AM

Teacher Workshop: Nose Art

Teachers are invited to join us for this online workshop and learn a unique aerospace lesson to bring to your classroom!

As aviation developed, especially as the result of World War I, many pilots chose to decorate their aircraft with designs intended to intimidate their opponents, or to remind the pilots of easier times at home. During this unique program, participants will have a chance to review some of that remarkable history and develop their own insignia and learn how to generate the image on a square of aircraft aluminum.

Register below and you will receive a confirmation email with the online meeting link.

Register Here

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