They way I heard it, they needed one larger vertical stabilizer but instead did the three smaller ones so it would fit into existing hangars.
TR ---------------------------------------- *From: *Randal Craft via Mifnet <[email protected]> *To: *[email protected] *CC: *[email protected] *Date: *Jun 12, 2025 17:20:28 *Subject: *[Mifnet ๐ 72680] Re: B - 52 stats > I've heard the story that this was an issue for the Lockheed Constellation > (one of the best-looking airplanes ever built, of course). When the design > was first publicized, some aero engineers apparently questioned the need for > the three vertical stabilizers and accused Lockheed of letting aesthetics > drive the design. Lockheed denied this, but when Connies were later outfitted > with radomes that were expected to adversely affect stability, it turned out > that no additional stabilization was needed. Can anyone knowledgeably confirm > or deny this story? > ย > > Bob > ย > > Randal Craft > Email: randalrobertcraft@gmailcom > Mobile: 646-226-2299 (USA) > ย > > *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 > ย > > 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. > ย > > Old pilot adage: It's better to look good than to be good.ย > ย > > 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. > ย > > What's the use of having all that aerodynamic knowledge if you don't have a > soul? > ย > > Simon > ย > > ย > > -------- Original message -------- > From: Jack Keady via Mifnet <[email protected]> > Date: 11/06/2025 02:19 (GMT+02:00) > To: David Wardell via Mifnet <[email protected]> > Cc: Jack Keady <[email protected]> > Subject: [Mifnet ๐ 72661] B - 52 stats > ย > > Keady - Mike B - can you explain the need not to have drop tanks? > ย > > [Image][Profile photo for Tom > Stagliano][https://qph.cf2.quoracdn.net/main-thumb-1258153-50-NvVUIsrZkxMBSd5wHZWYnW9FdMDutRCJ.jpeg][https://www.quora.com/profile/Tom-Stagliano] > ย > > _*Tom Stagliano[https://www.quora.com/profile/Tom-Stagliano]*_ > *ย > > *ย ยทย > Follow > Senior Aerospace Engineer (studied at MIT)Updatedย > 8y[https://www.quora.com/Why-are-the-B-52s-engines-mounted-in-pairs/answer/Tom-Stagliano] > _*Why are the B-52's engines mounted in > pairs?[https://www.quora.com/Why-are-the-B-52s-engines-mounted-in-pairs]*_ > *ย > > *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: > > [Image] > > 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. > ย >
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