Now someone needs to rummage through the Air Force's stock of old B-52 gear to recover the original look of the interior.

My uncle, Capt. Robert L. Mosley, flew left seat and copilot on a number of the X-15 missions in the 0003, "The High and Mighty One". Long retired, he didn't know what had become of the plane until I stumbled upon it about 25 years ago at the Pima Air museum. He was surprised that it had been saved from the Boneyard. Back then the paint was worn and faded. It wasn't repainted as it is now. Thanks for the video and helping to keep the memories alive.

@damcasterspod

23 күн бұрын

Your Uncle must have had some incredible tales! Is he still with us?

The tall take A-F model BUFFs look so much more elegant than the Golf and Hotels.

That's so cool. I have been fascinated by the X-15 since I was a kid. I had no idea the mothership is still preserved.

@damcasterspod

29 күн бұрын

They have done an incredible job on her. The dynawrite lables everywhere was amazing to see.

@evening6402

18 күн бұрын

@@damcasterspod The sheer number of those Dynawriter labels! There must have been a NASA secretary stationed at Edwards just to generate those.

I have had the opportunity to see the NB B-52b 52 0008 twice. Once on the ground at Edward's and once as it flew over my house before retirement.

When I was in elementary school I lived at Edwards. We saw this plane displayed at air shows and armed forces day. I went to school with the son of Milt Thompson and "Pete" Knight, x-15 pilots, my sister hd Chuck Yeager's son in her class. Many cool stories I could tell about that. Godforsaken middle of nowhere lousy weather, down to 0 in the winter, 117 in the summer, snowed a8 inches once, hurricane force winds in a straight line, sandstorms, rattlesnakes, stinkin desert, but if you like airplanes and tech, paradise.

@damcasterspod

25 күн бұрын

That is ace! Thanks for sharing

@Ripper13F1V

24 күн бұрын

I lived in North Edwards in the 70's and totally relate..

The orange is absolutely the correct color

@perfectlyundonecustoms

28 күн бұрын

Interesting how you deleted the comment I made stating my Grandfather was the Crew Chief of the "High And Mighty One" B-52 tail 003 whom launched the X-15... I am also a Marine veteran. Why did you remove my comments?

My father was a USAAF B-29 navigator in the Pacific 1944/1945. He died in 2016 age 94. He kept and I have his original flight jacket with squadron insignia. Ive never been inside a B-52 but my son and I have been inside B-29 FIFI when she visited Boire Field in Nashua NH in 2018

@damcasterspod

27 күн бұрын

Very jeslous for getting to look around FIFI, bucket list trip to visit them.

Reflecting on the progression of aircraft design over time, the B-52 stands out as an engineering wonder. It speaks volumes about the designers who conceived it. I have always been deeply impressed by the B-52 and its simplicity.

@stenic2

25 күн бұрын

Just stick 8 of the most powerful jet engines at the time

They ashtray is so cool

@damcasterspod

25 күн бұрын

Different times!

Absolutely wonderful video it's like a time capsule. There's a B-52 nose section at a museum in Titusville Florida the only one in the country where the public can sit in the pilot seat and manipulate the controls it was absolutely fascinating to me.

With that small rudder I bet an engine out was all kinds of fun. I guess they just reduced thrust on the mirror engine.

abs fantastic vid

I lived about 30-40 miles south of Edwards AFB in California from 1989-1991. We were lucky enough to go to an airshow on the base. At that time, this B-52 was still actively flying and was on static display. There is a SERIOUS difference between this bird and the standard short tail B-52's. Imagine if an older tall tail D model was able to be restored to flyable condition. I don't think it will happen because of various treaties, etc but one can dream.

@jcdenton6074

19 күн бұрын

A flying static display?

@UAL012

18 күн бұрын

@@jcdenton6074 No it was on display

That's really cool that it's still retained just about everything it needed to drop the X15 and even more surprising is that they're still so much documentation and manuals and stuff inside i've always been fascinated by the 15 yeah the thing burn a ton of fuel every 12 seconds and we all complain about our cars getting bad fuel mileage

@damcasterspod

25 күн бұрын

I used to have an Alfa Romeo, my oil consumption was about the same...

Wonderful video! She wasn’t around in January of this year when I visited, but 67 was. I look forward to returning in the autumn to see this marvelous exhibit.

@damcasterspod

29 күн бұрын

Thanks!

Thank you

Very interesting video, thanks!

I am so jealous you guys get this kind of access at Pima. Best I can do at the National Air and Space Museum is come in like a normal tourist and wave my camera around so that it gets the plane, but none of the other people in the shot. plus all the other aircraft crammed into that space

@damcasterspod

29 күн бұрын

It is a privelage I don't wear lightly! It is amazing to get to do this and I hope to get better in how I film it all to share the experience with everyone.

Nice tour, thanks!

@damcasterspod

25 күн бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

What a cool (figuratively) piece of aviation history!

@damcasterspod

20 күн бұрын

It is a toasty warm piece of history...

Very interesting indeed 👍

Awesome to see inside such an old B-52, Ive always thought they're one of the coolest military aircraft. No hydraulics is crazy! Wild to think about how this is the level of tech used for the fastest flight ever, in the X-15 One suggestion, if you're going to do a lot of interior tours it might be worth investing in a GoPro, these cameras have an amazing FOV which is a lot better for filming in these tight spaces. They also have great image quality, stabilization, and accessories all for an affordable price

@damcasterspod

29 күн бұрын

For the amount I get to do this, I'm not sure I can justify the cost but I have been consider one or someting like the DJI Pocket 3. Hopefully, if these videos and the interviews prove popular, I'll be able to sneak one past my wife.

@NUTTER8291

26 күн бұрын

DO NOT GET A GO-PRO !! they are Notorious for failing ,overheating, and corrupting files !! Agreed go with the DJI !!

DCS needs to 3D scan this

@damcasterspod

25 күн бұрын

Happy to make any connections required to make this happen!

In a standard USAF B-52, the lower compartment, below the flight deck had the navigator and radar navigator station. Facing forward

@Hawker900XP

26 күн бұрын

I always wondered why they removed that small window on the left side of the Radar/Nav compartment. Many of the downstairs crews would get airsickness and claustrophobic when it was removed. 🤮

Lower Deck: Radar Navigator & Navigator/Bombardier Upper Deck Forward: Pilot & Co Pilot/ First Officer Upper Deck Aft: ECM Officer & Tail gunner (at least on the G & H Models) The configuration I just explained is for a standard B-52 (BUFF Big Ugly Fat Fucker)

If that airplane could talk, it would tell some stories.

@damcasterspod

29 күн бұрын

I'd certainly get comfy and listen to them all

@williammoreno2378

25 күн бұрын

It sure would!

Kind of a side note, the only other bomber I know of with the NB prefix was the NB-36, which was used to test the possibility of nuclear powered aircraft. It carried a reactor that was just on board to study the effects of having one airborne, and didn't contribute to propulsion.

@damcasterspod

25 күн бұрын

NASA aircraft since the late 50s have often carried an N prefix, but that nuclear 36 is quiet something. Have you seen our video on Pima's B-36 on the channel?

@martykarr7058

25 күн бұрын

@@damcasterspod I specified TWO letters, NB. But I DID forget about NASA's OTHER former bomber the WB-57 which was derived from the venerable Canberra. I did glance at it, talking about what was the last Peacemaker built, but learned about them Many years ago when I wrote a term paper on SAC. But the story of the NB-36 is just as interesting.

@Spectator1959

6 күн бұрын

“N” is the USAF prefix for an aircraft that has been permanently modified to be a test aircraft. “J” is the prefix for an aircraft that is temporarily modified to be a test aircraft. 56-620 was an NB-52D permanently assigned to the Air Force Special Weapons (i.e. nukes) Center. It apparently carried the JB-52D designation for a while. 56-632 was an NB-52E permanently assigned to the Air Force Flight Test Center. 57-119 was an NB-52E provided to GE to test engines for use on the C-5 Galaxy. 56-636 was a B-52E provided to Pratt and Whitney to test their JT9D turbojet engine, but I can’t find any information that says it was officially designated “NB.” I would think it was because there’s a picture of that B-52 flying with a single JT9D mounted under the right wing in place of the inboard engines 5/6 pod. This was the same set up I think as GE engine testing on 57-119, and Pratt &Whitney kept that B-52 until it was scrapped. The JT9D was the first engine for the Boeing 747, which Boeing designed and submitted as a competitor against the Lockheed Galaxy.

"I'm not sure what the procedure for emptying that would be.".... The general procedure was the first one to use it gets to empty it.

For such a MASSIVE aircraft the staffing stations are tiny !! Probably more space in a Sesna aircraft😂 Thanks for the great video

@damcasterspod

25 күн бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Seems like they would keep it in better shape than that

@damcasterspod

20 күн бұрын

In which regard? The interior? You should see the state of the interiors of aircraft in some museums...

I think it only had 3000 hours on the air frame and still had all the original engines one reason it got park was I couldn’t get parts for it anymore after they scrapped all the A and B and C model B-52 the The models D Models and up we’re very different

@damcasterspod

27 күн бұрын

There also wasn't much need for them once the X-15 program finished and given how modified they were, NASA moved on.

@fastone942

26 күн бұрын

They flew a B52H model after balls 003 and 008 got park for about 15 years I remember being on a 135 and we actually did an air-to-air refuel on its replacement it was funny to see a all white 52

I'm amazed it hasn't been stripped out, almost complete, wonder if it was used in Nam or stayed in the U.S. Wouldn't take alot to restore this plane. There's a movie of the X-15 that might tell you more of this B-52A.

@damcasterspod

27 күн бұрын

As we said in the video, 003 is one of the 8 B-52As produced and spent its whole service with NASA at Edwards, hence the NB designation. Her record is highly documented and Pima have done great work documenting her history.

@Hawker900XP

26 күн бұрын

D and G models were the primary units used. Maybe a few F.

@Hawker900XP

26 күн бұрын

The Cessna 195 had the crosswind landing gear.

@Hawker900XP

26 күн бұрын

I think most of the 1488 yoke logos have mysteriously disappeared. 😉

Fun fact, all this equipment is still in use on the 737

Super general question....how much of Pima is open for tours how much is off limits?

@damcasterspod

23 күн бұрын

Almost the entire collection is open for you to walk around. There are a handful of aircraft in the restoration area, but the are visable over a very short fence at the top of the site. With the B-52A out, all the main 'big things' are back on the line.

Is that going to be put in the restoration yard still or moved out to the front where the public can see it???

@damcasterspod

29 күн бұрын

It was moved back into the public area with the B-36 and other B-52s this week!

My father was stationed at warnerrobins air base in the army attached to the Nike Hercules unit I used to see the 52s coming and going that was the most awesome thing to see those giants flying at low levels

Looking at the launch controls, apparently the X-15 was referred to as "L/B". Any idea what that stood for?

@damcasterspod

25 күн бұрын

I believe that refers to "Lifting Body" for the M2-F3 and X-24

@beverlychmelik5504

25 күн бұрын

In military and NASA humor, "Large Bomb"

Will she fly ?

@damcasterspod

25 күн бұрын

No, Pima does not restore aircraft to flight but preserves them for future generations. The USAF and NASA wouldn't allow it anyways.

I think we have one B-52 A still operating for NASA?

@damcasterspod

24 күн бұрын

The last Buff NASA operated was Balls 8, a B-52B, which was retired in 2004.

@daleeasternbrat816

24 күн бұрын

​​@@damcasterspodThanks. I have thought that sort of a high altitude test launcher would come in handy for NASA. edit: correct my spell check.

Is that "Balls 8?"

@Spectator1959

25 күн бұрын

Balls 3

@williammoreno2378

25 күн бұрын

@@Spectator1959 thanks!👍

Audio is very low.

@damcasterspod

20 күн бұрын

I'll play with that for future videos. Thanks for the feedback

What's with the rippling in the outer skin

@Hawker900XP

26 күн бұрын

It’s just the normal flex created by the wings. If I remember correctly, the wing moves about 14 feet from take off to cruise configuration.

@sidthompso8097

25 күн бұрын

@@Hawker900XP what I meant was in the fuselage sorry should have been more clear

@Hawker900XP

25 күн бұрын

@@sidthompso8097 Yes, the wings being attached to the fuselage creates those ripples from just forward of the wing all the way back to the 47 section of the fuselage.

@sidthompso8097

25 күн бұрын

@Hawker900XP Gotha thanks my friend for the clarification

Balls. 8

@damcasterspod

23 күн бұрын

Balls 3 actually

What a privilege. You guys just don't seem worthy.😁

@damcasterspod

25 күн бұрын

True story

As a former BUFF pilot and member of the Pima Air Museum I was pleased to run across this video. Then I watched the video and was pretty disappointed. Much of the information you presented is of questionable value and some is downright inaccurate. I wish you had secured the services of a B-52 SME rather than just speculating on the function of so much of what you depicted . For instance, the control surfaces of the tail are mechanical tab operated and are very effective in controlling pitch and yaw. Roll control is achieved by a combination of small tab operated ailerons and hydraulically operated spoilers. Crosswind crab is necessary because the aircraft has bicycle lànding gear, not tricycle landing gear. The explanation you offer is inaccurate and incomplete. In one respect you wasted a golden opportunity to inform the public and explain a bit of history. 😢

@damcasterspod

25 күн бұрын

Thanks for your feedback and I am sorry you found the video lacking. This video, based on this edit, didn't proport that Joe and I were anything more than an excited enthisuat and an aircraft designer getting a very rare oportunity. Prehaps on my next visit, if you are around, we could correct the record by looking over the A, D and G models.

@HeavyMetalMech

25 күн бұрын

A killjoy makes it's presense known, much like a vegan and decaf coffee drinkers .

@damcasterspod

25 күн бұрын

The man knows his aircraft and I understand his point.

@leftseat30

24 күн бұрын

There's a better way to say that if improving the conversation is truly your goal.

@damcasterspod

23 күн бұрын

It is the internet, I just try to keep things moving along happily here.

Only 3 A models were built and they further test beds for the rest of the fleet 50B,35C,170D,100E,89F,193G,102H models were built and the number on this aircraft is 0008

@damcasterspod

25 күн бұрын

Do you mean 0003?

@leftseat30

24 күн бұрын

Interesting model productuon number breakdown

@thomascreary990

24 күн бұрын

@@leftseat30 I worked on them and learned their history when I was SAC 82-92 when the command changed 1 June 92

@thomascreary990

24 күн бұрын

@damcasterspod No 0008 and if I remember right it's as gate guard at Edward's AFB

@Spectator1959

13 күн бұрын

@@thomascreary990 The plane featured in this video is NB-52A 52-0003, not NB-52B 52-0008. 003 had orange paint (in schemes that varied over time) and you can see in the video 003 painted on the nose (26:26)and the tail (20:10) as they do the walk around. 008 does not have orange paint, but it did have a yellow horizontal stripe outlining “NASA” at the top of the vertical stabilizer; otherwise it was basically silver. This makes it easy to distinguish them in the videos. Both were used as mothership for the X 15. 008 is at Edwards and 003 at Pima.

Sorry it was a B-52B until the H model took over

@damcasterspod

25 күн бұрын

I'm affraid not, this aircraft is one of the 8 B-52As and one of the two operated by NASA until the 1970s. The B-model was first to be delivered to the USAF.

@Spectator1959

25 күн бұрын

Only 3 B-52A models were produced, 52-0003 being the third. They were officially delivered to the USAF but all three immediately loaned to Boeing for testing. The B-36 was originally slated to carry the X-15, but it was realized the B-36 would be out of service by the time the X-15 was ready to fly, so the NASA chose the B-52 to replace it. 003 was converted to NB-52A configuration starting in February 1958. It was retired in 1969 and went to “The Boneyard” for storage, later transferred to museum at Pima. 50 B-52B/RB-52B models were produced and were the first B-52s to enter actual service. RB-52B 52-0008 was converted to NB configuration starting in Jan 1959. It was retired in 2004. At the time it was the oldest flying but lowest flight hour B-52 in service. It is on display at Edwards AFB. The USAF loaned (and later transferred )B-52H 61-0025 to NASA in 2001 to replace 008, and NASA designed a new pylon for it to launch research vehicles. But after 008 was retired there were no projects envisioned that would require a B-52 as mothership, so NASA returned 025 to the USAF. It became a maintenance trainer at Sheppard AFB. p.s. X-15 was carried by both 003 (40 times) and 008 (159 times). On the side of the airplane the horizontal X-15 mark means a captive carry, and the angled X-15 means a launch.

@damcasterspod

23 күн бұрын

I was conflating 8 variants with numbers built. And I do believe we mention that this one of two of the motherships, mainly as the NARA footage available is mostly of Balls 8.