Attachment 6 - CMI -B52.pdf

CMI Package 8/4/2023

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY HISTORICAL COLLECTION

Color, Markings Insignia Package:

Boeing B-52D Stratofortress S/N 55-0083

National Museum Catalog # 1983-365 April 3, 2008

1. Exception to policy – use of semi-gloss paint texture in lieu of lusterless

“…this texture of paint is highly recommended in the Colorado climate that displays extreme temperatures, snow, and ultra-violet rays. Use of semi-gloss texture offers greater protection of the aircraft, better appearance for longer period of time, and cost savings (painting required less frequently) while maintaining as closely as possible a paint scheme consistent with appearance of the aircraft when operational.”

(NMUSAF email dated 27 OCT 2006, Mr. Tom Brewer, Chief Plans & Programs Division)

2. NOTE: THIS AEROSPACE VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO THE RESTRICTIONS OF THE

INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC ARMS LIMITATION (SALT) II TREATY. COORDINATION

WITH THE PROPER AUTHORITIES MUST BE OBTAINED BEFORE MAJOR RENOVATION OR

RELOCATION OF THIS ITEM.

3. Operational History: Delivered to the Air Force 8 January 1957. Known Base Assignments:

Anderson AFB, Guam, U-Tapao Royal Thailand Naval Base (RTNB), Thailand, Carswell AFB, TX;

USAF Academy Static Display since 1983.

4. Aircraft Specific History: Aircraft 55-0083 nicknamed “Diamond Lil” was assigned to Arc-Lite missions in SEA from its parent organization, the 7th Bombardment Wing at Carswell AFB, TX.

Operating out of Anderson AFB, Guam; Kadena AFB, Okinawa; and U-Tapao Royal Thai Naval Base in Thailand. It logged 2500 hours of flight time in two years during SEA operations. The aircraft received its nickname in 1968 at Anderson AFB, Guam. After its last flight from Carswell AFB, TX to Peterson AFB, CO in 1983, the aircraft had logged more than 15,000 flying hours.

5. Current Configuration

The aircraft is marked in the standard USAF SEA camouflage markings for B-52 D aircraft (see image 1). Colors are: Black FS 17038, Green FS 34079, Green FS 34159, and Tan FS 34201 with standard markings applied in accordance with US Air Force Technical Order 1-1-4, Exterior Finishes, Insignia, and Markings, Applicable to USAF Aircraft 14 May 1994, Change 7, 17 July 1998 .

B-52 April 2008

Image 1: Current configuration, B-52D 55-0083.

This corresponds with an historic image of the aircraft from 1982 (see image 2.)

Image 2: B-52D 55-0083 at Mather AFB 1982.

6. Paint Scheme Specifics: The vertical stabilizer and nose carry the radio call number 50083 painted in FS 31136 Red on both sides.

The port side nose section carries the Strategic Air Command Crest (see image 4.), and the aircraft’s mission tally (see image 5.) just below the port side pitot tube. The presence of the MiG silhouette to represent the MiG kill is documented in a newspaper article dated 7 Oct 1983. The block of 200 Bomb images represent the aircraft’s mission count while the block of 8 bombs below the MiG silhouette represent the Linebacker mission flown by 55-083.

The starboard side of the aircraft carries the crest of the 7th Bomb Wing (Carswell AFB, TX) (see image 5.), the bomber’s home station and unit. The depicted crest is correct for the Vietnam era and differs markedly from the current 7th Bomb Wing crest.

Image 3: SAC Crest

Image 4: Mission tally

Image 5: 7th Bombardment Wing Crest

Nose Art: The aircraft carries cartoon image of “Diamond Lil” – a blonde female dressed in country-western clothing astride a descending bomb. Her right hand carries a revolver and the olive branch and lightning bolt for the SAC crest. Her left hand holds a downward pointing spear. Behind her is an orange-red circle. The name “Diamond Lil” in informal script appears to the left of the cartoon image (see Image 6.)

Image 6: “Diamond Lil” nose art

The nose art is placed just below the aircraft commander’s windows and just aft of the aircraft adapt bloc (see image 7.)

Image 7. Placement of nose art.

Image 8. Aircraft Data Legend Marking.

Servicing, Warning and other markings: As specified by applicable USAF Technical orders and service manuals. The Aircraft Data Legend Marking is painted in FS 31136 Red and located just below the aircraft commander’s window forward of the nose art (see images 7 & 8.)

7. Text for Interpretive Signage: Interpretive placards will be fabricated and placed by the Training Devices Shop (10CES/CEOT) out of materials suitable for outdoor display. Mandatory text for this exhibit will read:

BOEING B-52D

STRATOFORTRESS

SERIAL NUMBER 55-0083

This aircraft is on loan from the U.S. Air Force Heritage Program.

Expanded interpretive signage for the B52D is placed on the memorial pylons surrounding the aircraft:

DEDICATION PLAQUE:

B-52D Stratofortress “Diamond Lil”

1957-1983

Dedicated to the men and women of the Strategic Air Command who flew and maintained the B-52D throughout its 26-year history in the command.

Aircraft 655-083, with over 15,000 flying hours, is one of only two B-52Ds credited with a confirmed MiG kill during the Vietnam conflict. Flying out of U-Tapao Royal Thai Naval Airfield in southern Thailand, (A1C Albert Moore) “Diamond Lil” shot down a MiG northeast of Hanoi during “Linebacker II” action on Christmas Eve, 1972.

Dedicated by General Bennie L. Davis

CINCSAC

7 September 1984

8. Research and Specifications.

Sources: http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=2612 , http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=294 , Colorado Springs Gazette – Telegraph 7 October, 1983

BOEING B-52D STRATOFORTRESS

After it became operational in 1955, the B-52 remained the main long-range heavy bomber of the U.S.

Air Force during the Cold War, and it continues to be an important part of the USAF bomber force today. Nearly 750 were built before production ended in Oct. 26, 1962; 170 of these were B-52Ds.

The B-52 has set numerous records in its many years of service. On Jan. 18, 1957, three B-52Bs completed the first non-stop round-the-world flight by jet aircraft, lasting 45 hours and 19 minutes and requiring only three aerial refuelings. It was also a B-52 that made the first airborne hydrogen bomb drop over Bikini Atoll on May 21, 1956.

In June 1965 B-52s entered combat in Southeast Asia. By August 1973, they had flown 126,615 combat sorties with 17 B-52s lost to enemy action.

The B-52D was an improved version of the B-52C with mostly minor changes incorporated into the aircraft systems. The ability to carry to bomb-bay mounted reconnaissance and observation pod was eliminated and the D model was used only as a bomber.

The B-52D was used extensively in Southeast Asia beginning in the mid-1960s. Operating from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and later U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Base, the B-52 was a major component of many operations including Arc Light, Iron Hand, Rolling Thunder, Linebacker and Linebacker II.

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=2612 http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=294

The B-52D remained in service until 1983 when the last aircraft of the 7th Bomb Wing were retired.

Type Number built/ converted Remarks

B-52D 170 Improved C model

Notes:

· Serial numbers: 55-0049 to 55-0117; 55-0673 to 55-0680; 56-0580 to 56-0630; 56-0657 to 56-0698

· Boeing Model 464-201-7

· First flight was May 14, 1956

SPECIFICATIONS:

Span: 185 ft. 0 in.

Length: 156 ft. 7 in.

Height: 48 ft. 4 in.

Weight: 450,000 lbs. maximum takeoff weight Armament: Four .50-cal. M-3 machine guns in the tail barbette and up to 60,000 lbs. of bombs Engines: Eight Pratt & Whitney J57-P-19W turbojets of 10,500 lbs. thrust each (dry), 12,100 lbs. thrust each wet (water injection) Crew: Six (pilot, Copilot, electronic warfare officer, navigator, bombardier-radar navigator, tail gunner)

PERFORMANCE:

Maximum speed: 638 mph/551 knots at 20,000 ft.

Cruising speed: 526 mph Range: 3,305 nautical miles combat radius at combat weight of 293,100 lbs. (without in-flight refueling); 8,338 miles maximum ferry range Service ceiling: 46,200 ft. at combat weight of 293,100 lbs.

APPROVED BY:

//ORIGINALSIGNED// 21 MAY 2008

Paul D. Martin, HPC, Curator Date

//ORIGINAL SIGNED// 27MAY2008

Dr. Betsy Muenger, USAFA/DFENG, Date Command Historian USAF Academy, CO