The B-52H was the final model in the B-52 series. Boeing-Wichita built 102 aircraft for delivery, in 1961-62, to the Strategic Air Command. The -H model was an improved version of the B-52G with the major change done to the powerplants. The Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojet used on all previous versions of the B-52 was replaced by the Pratt & Whitney TF33 turbofan. The TF33 was rated at 17,000 lbs. static thrust; more than 3,000 lbs. thrust more than the J57. The new engine was also much quieter, fuel efficient and cleaner. The increased power and better fuel efficiency combined to give the -H model an unrefueled range of 8,800 miles.

The B-52H has gone through numerous upgrade and service live extension programs and is expected to remain operational well into the next century. The B-52H had a crew of six until 1991 when the gunner position was eliminated and the tail gun deactivated and removed.

Pictured here is a 1:144 scale replica of a Boeing B-252H Stratofortress attached to the Strategic Air Command's 7th Bomb Wing during 1990. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 15-3/4-inches

Release Date: August 2009

Historical Account: "The Sword of Damocles" - The 7th Bomb Wing is the host unit at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, and is assigned to 8th Air Force at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. The wing is a component of Air Combat Command, headquartered at Langley Air Force, Base, Va. 7th Bomb Wing is responsible for providing combat-ready B-1B aircraft, crews and associate combat support for global engagement taskings, supervising 4,000 military and civilian personnel and managing the largest B-1B base and flying wing with 40 B-1 aircraft.

One B-1B from the 7th Bomb Wing departed for Southwest Asia December 18th, 1997, to support the president's request for additional bomber forces in the Operation Desert Fox theater of operation. The 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base also launched a B-1B Dec. 18th. This brings the total number of B-1Bs in theater to six -- three from Ellsworth and three from Dyess. As always for global power missions, the Wing launched a second aircraft as a spare in case the primary aircraft has problems during the flight. At some point, the second aircraft returned to Ellsworth. B-1Bs from both bases saw their first combat action in air raids over Iraq on December 17th, 1997. Details on the number of B-1Bs used and battle damage assessment information was not released; however, the the missions were characterized as "very successful."

In its 2005 BRAC Recommendations, DoD recommended the closure of Ellsworth AFB, SD. The 24 B-1 aircraft assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing would be distributed to the 7th Bomb Wing This recommendation would consolidate the B-1 fleet at one installation to achieve operational efficiencies. Ellsworth (39) ranked lower in military value for the bomber mission than Dyess (20).