The man has JetA in his veins Regards, Addison Schonland www.airinsight.aero<http://www.airinsight.aero/> (858) 536-9900 (858) 682-4931 โ WhatsApp
From: srbrown via Mifnet <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2025 8:22 AM To: [email protected] Cc: srbrown <[email protected]> Subject: [Mifnet ๐ 72677] Re: B - 52 stats Oh please. Why are the B52 engines mounted in pairs? Because it looks good, that's why. Fuel pipes, hard points, drop tanks, weapons ... yeah yeah yeah. Can you imagine what it would look like if it had 4 equally speed engines on each side? Like one of the designer's 8-year old kid had drawn it after watching an episode of Thunderbirds and the USAF would have laughed them out of the meeting. Old pilot adage: It's better to look good than to be good. Why do F14s, 15s, 18s, 22s and 35s have twin fins? Because it looks great, that's why. Are they needed? Who cares? Not if you ask the guys who designed the F16, Tornado, Rafael, Typhoon and Gripen. Same for the 747's hump. Front loading cargo option, you say? Yeah, right. Because it looks great, that's why. That's the only reason why. What's the use of having all that aerodynamic knowledge if you don't have a soul? Simon -------- Original message -------- From: Jack Keady via Mifnet <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Date: 11/06/2025 02:19 (GMT+02:00) To: David Wardell via Mifnet <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Cc: Jack Keady <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Subject: [Mifnet ๐ 72661] B - 52 stats Keady - Mike B - can you explain the need not to have drop tanks? <https://www.quora.com/profile/Tom-Stagliano> [Profile photo for Tom Stagliano]<https://www.quora.com/profile/Tom-Stagliano> <https://www.quora.com/profile/Tom-Stagliano> Tom Stagliano<https://www.quora.com/profile/Tom-Stagliano> ยท Follow Senior Aerospace Engineer (studied at MIT)Updated 8y<https://www.quora.com/Why-are-the-B-52s-engines-mounted-in-pairs/answer/Tom-Stagliano> <https://www.quora.com/Why-are-the-B-52s-engines-mounted-in-pairs> Why are the B-52's engines mounted in pairs?<https://www.quora.com/Why-are-the-B-52s-engines-mounted-in-pairs> The fully fueled and maximum payload B-52H has a weight over 500,000 pounds (more than its maximum take-off weight). Back in 1961โ63 when the B-52H were made, the 20,000 lb thrust class engines were well developed and nearly the largest. Indeed the Boeing 707 had a maximum weight of 310,000 pounds in that era. Using a rough rule of thumb that maximum engine thrust is 25% of the max weight of the aircraft, four engines at that time could power a Boeing 707 or KC-135, but a 500,000 lb plus B-52H would need at least 125,000 lb in thrust. Eight engines gave them 140,000 lbs of maximum thrust and therefore tremendous capability. By having the engines together, you only need four fuel line penetrations from the wing and you keep the engines clustered allowing room for under-wing weapons and external fuel tanks: [https://qph.cf2.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-0f4b01f4cf87e70b11b3f1efcfc5a5e2-lq] You notice the missiles mounted under the wing of the B-52H and the external fuel tanks mounted out towards the wing tips. The external fuel tanks were originally to be drop tanks, but due to some aero-elastic response of the B-52H wing, it was decided to make them permanent. Therefore, you minimize attachments, minimize fuel penetrations, and maximize room to carry weapons and external pods under the wings. I hope that helps.
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