American Air Force B-52 Bomber Blows Up Its Wings For Take-off 

Waste of time, no exploded engine, same old rerun B52 doc.

I was crew chief on 60-0058 (the first BUFF in the video) at Castle AFB in the 1980s and did several cart starts on the plane but never had the "engines literally explode into action" Furthermore, it does not take "about an hour" to warm up B-52. We used cart starts when on alert because it was faster than using a ground air unit for starting the engines when we had just a few minutes to be airborne and out of the blast radius of inbound Russian missiles. Had nothing to do with warming up the engines. The cartridges are about the size of a 5 pound coffee can and does not explode, but rather burns at a fast rate to provide a stream of gases moving at a high velocity into the turbine of the engine starter. Lots of exaggerated wrong info on this video

I've seen many B 52s at Barksdale AFB. They are massive beasts. So large they look they are going slow and will fall out of the sky at any moment on take off and landing. It never ceases to amaze me when I see one

Thanks for the SAC memories.They performed a "cartridge start" not a "cart start". They use a cartridge about the size of a coffee can filled with a fast burning substance (like gunpowder) to provide expanding gasses to spin up the starter turbine which is geared to the main shaft, to spin up the compressor and turbine sections of the engine. That way they can start all 8 engines at the same time for an actual alert launch or exercise. A "start cart" (slang term is "huffer") is an external APU that provides high pressure air (via hose) to start the engines when the aircraft's internal APU is inop. This is known as a "cart start". After the first engine is started, the others can be started with air from the operating engine (cross bleed start). Clearly, "banging" all 8 engines at once is the fastest way to start engines (for alert scrambles and exercises), but not for everyday peacetime normal starts. BC Former SAC pilot

Planes have been using explosive cartridges to start since prop planes.

The Air Force has really got its moneys worth from these antique jet's first used in 1955! and still being used today...WOW

A B52 does not blow off its wings during a cart start. Ridicules. During the cold war, I was the aircraft commander of a B52G. We used cart starts on engines #4 and #6 to get at least one engine started. Then its internal generator would be used to start all the rest of the engines. These was no explosion as such, the slow burning cartridge would spin up the engine until we could start it and the rest would follow off that engines internal generator. (I always thought it was the engines manifold pressure but the internet says that's wrong.) We never knew if we were going to war when the klaxon went off in the onsite bunker. We raced to our plane like the ground crew was doing after the guards recognized me. After we were all in and the ground crew locked us in, we were all finding our stations in the two decked plane. While we were getting the BUFF started, we would get the message if this was a drill or not. It was always a drill, but we radioed when we were ready to taxi. Occasionally, we were told to roll into a MITO exercise for interval taxi/takeoff training but we never actually took off with nukes on board in the late 70s. The point is there were no explosions just slow burning cartridges.

The Cartridge Start method was used by the English Electric twin engined bomber/ reconnaissance aircraft, in use by both the RAF and the USAF/CIA operational aircraft designed in 1947. Known as the Canberra in British and commonwealth nations, and the B-57, when modified and licence built by Martin for the USAF. A very high altitude, high speed aircraft in its day, making it ideal for its interdiction role by both nations. Claimed to have successively evaded interception by SAM's and MIG-17s in the day. Known for its relatively small size and high speed altitude work during the Cold War.

I can’t wait to see and hear the new engines Rolls Royce is developing to replace the P&W.

I remember those days. I was a Jet engine mechanic from 77-81. We had "D" model B52's & KC-135's on alert at March AFB. The "D" model only had a starter that would accept a cart on engine number 2 and 8. When the two came up to idle they would advance the throttles on 2 & 8 to get more air output to start the other 6. The KC-135's had a starter that would take the cart on each engine. (If memory serves) Very cool to see the B52 cart start in action. The cartridge is actually filled with a solid rocket propellant and when it lights off, the exhaust gases turn the blades in the starter which starts rotating the N2 compressor and the exhaust turbine.

I flew kc135’s and never had a bad cart start. Of course we didn’t practice this often. They were very effective in getting the kc135a into the air on an alert start. The newer R models are even more responsive in getting airborne in alert launch. Twin APU engines running to start two engines at a time. It’s an impressive aircraft also and can be airborne sooner than our Buff buddies. Just an observation.

Misleading title !!!

Beautiful flying beasts. I remember when two wings joined up in two ovals over El Paso and headed for Florida. Bay of Pigs. They sat there in Florida and returned to El Paso Biggs AFB. I was on a playground and heard and saw the thunder in the sky and camo was their new color of the day. That in itself was different and I knew something was up. I remember the practice runs dropping sacks on LA and flights to Guam, Alaska and England. 95th and 97th Dad was Western Electric (AT&T) A&E at the time with the 95th.

We called it the Elephant Walk

Thumbs up for letting us hear the engines. I just gave another video a thumbs down as they thought they should replace the engine noise with music. Crazy.

They are some bad ass bombers for sure , proud to be a American !

This might be a good video except for one thing : does the content creator have an inferiority complex that he / she feels the need to deceive viewers into thinking that the B-52's engine and wing exploded in flames when it was, in fact, a routine cartridge start? I detest this practice and would subscribe if it were stopped.

A buddy was stationed at Castle A.F.B. (near Merced, CA) circa 1990, and told me about "alert starting" the BUFF. I'm glad my ears didn't have to suffer that experience!

The B-52 DOES NOT BLOW UP IT'S WINGS! Very DISHONEST title for this video!! The "Cart Start" NEVER takes an hour! Whoever made this video needs to learn about this jet! YEARS working in the early 1980s taught me much about the Buff. Understand... The B-52 DOES NOT HAVE AN ELECTRIC MOTOR TO SPIN UP THE ENGINES!!! NO STARTER. The "Cart" is a mild explosive that gets the engines spinning. There are EIGHT Carts. All they MUST do is get ONE engine working and they can bleed off exhaust to get the other 7 running. Usually 4 or 5 actually start up. But this "Explosive" is actually more like a big Fireworks display. It is not an actual "EXPLOSION", but a controlled quick burn. Kinda STUPID to blow up your wings! An Alert bird can be up and running and ready to fly in MINUTES! It is their JOB to be able to get off the ground a minimum time. KC-135 Tankers have always had electric start engines. Only the B-52G has these cart starts. In the 1980s on the flightline we had Turbine Power Carts that can start an engine with the power cart's exhaust! Not Used on the Alert Pad! NORMAL takeoff routines took a while to inspect the aircraft and prep for flight. There are a HUGE number of electronics on this plane to survive radar tracking. It usually takes time to spin all this up. ALERT planes were already prepped and ready to fly at a moment's notice. This video showed "H" model planes with TurboFAN engines. WE had "G" models with TurboJET engines. LOUDER, less powerful, and require water injection to get a fully loaded plane into the air. You KNEW it was water injection because the takeoff created incredibly thick black smoke poured from the engines. Note Also. UNLIKE other aircraft, the B-52 has a very radical Angle on the wings. It was also how they got off the ground. An EMPTY plane returning from mission with low fuel and no bombs was so light when landing that the FRONT wheels often touched down first because of the angle of attack on those massive wings. Many other cool facts about the BUFF, look them up!

Cartridge starting is nothing new. They use it in WW-II to start many radial engines on aircraft.

I worked as an airframe mechanic at Boeing, Seattle on B-52F, G and H models in the late 1960s.

Thanks for the memories! Watched an RF-4C "smoke start" and a B-57 Canberra also1968 Pretty impressive but seemed really risky to do.

Some smaller planes use a cartridge shell, similar to a shotgun Shen to start the engines.

My Grandmom lived close to the AF base Lockburn. When the B-52 would come in for a landing it would rattle the dishes, windows, things were huge.

So what blows up? Nothing --- ok then ---

My grandfather used to start his tractor with a 12 ga, shotgun shell in the engine block and struck with a hammer. It came that way from the factory. This was back in the 50's so it's not a new thing. The explosive charge might be, but not the theory.

It's amazing how they could afford a plane like this to stay in service as old as it is, but they can't keep the F-14 flying!

Lot's of inaccurate information here.

Yes i believe that most youtubers use a thumbnail in the description in their videos to sensationalize the content.

Yeah well I'll still watch these scam trap video's while drinking 101 wild Turkey whiskey.😂

I love the B-52 ,, it's power that it carries is awesome and it is a Beauty and a Beast all in one package.💯

Amazingly, all the B-52s are now older than the pilots flying them.

Current flying B52s are older than the crew ---------- And their parents!

That is one of the most favorite airplanes since I've been a kid even bought a huge model❤

A lot of BS here about the B52 and its engines!

I no click on these videos again

I flew the F4D (Ford) in fighter squadron VF-13 & I did a cruise aboard the USS ESSEX, CVA-9 in the Mediterranean Sea from 1959-1960. We were the carrier based, night all weather intercept squadron for the ship. The "Ford" was exciting to fly with its large wing & J-57 afterburner engine the pilot would haul back on the stick turning or climbing, "kicking" in afterburner & turning on a "dime." At that time we could "out turn" anything in the sky. Being a night fighter one's skill & confidence of approaching a carrier in pitch black & sometimes in the rain required 100% attention to the "green ball" in the landing mirror. I have told my wife & other people that after my "trap" (cable landing) on a night flight that as I unbuckled & climbed down the ladder from my plane my heart was pounding ferociously & I could not wait to "strap in" again for my next flight. In summation, "Kick the tire & light the FIRE, Go Navy." vcr

once upon a time, upto hundfed forty B52 circles around north Vietnam airspace at once beautiful birds

Mr creator I contacted RU-vid to kick you out.

Death from above. What a magnificent killing machine. Thats a freedom bird.

What's up with that thumbnail?

Mankind's best Engineering 👌 Marvels..God Almighty Bless 🙌 all those struggling Scientists Scholars, Engineers

They need to bring back strategic air command and keeping a number of them in the air at all times

Cart starts were used in WWll era radial engines before the jet age.

Amazing the lies they put in the description. Cart starts are just overgrown shotgun shells with only powder, we had them on 135s too

Beautiful machines!

God bless these guys from SAC! They know the chances of returning home during a real strike are less than great. I honestly wish I could help in some way! I’d do it in a single heartbeat!

We used to call them cannister starts. Main use was for an alert scramble.

I was A.G.E.( Aerospace Ground Equipment), U.S.A.F. Griffiss AFB. We were responsible for the servicing, maintenence, and dispatch of the support equipment that the crews would use to work on and operate the aircraft's systems. There might be some confusion to the term CART START. Because most of the time when there was no urgency they would use one of our gas turbine compressor carts. Like you saw the one crew member detach from the engine. We called them START CARTS. They can also do a rapid start with a cartridge. Called a CART. START. Suppose you could call both procedures CART STARTs.

That's a monstrous aircraft and a beautiful piece of work. I want that center headlight for my motorcycle. Atleast if someone crashes into me and says, I didn't see you, (as usual) they won't be lying because they couldn't see me because the light was too bright. 😳😁

Notice! No wings were blown up in this video.

can remember seeing it being done to Javelins at Bruggen when i was a nipper

it is madness, but they will scare people, which is good, right ?

still quite a sight for the eyes and ears getting them going. i used to have a little something to do with them, ground to air radio, many years ago.

I miss the air shows at McGuire AFB and Lakehurst Navel Air Base...

I loss count of the cart starts that never blew up . They need to stop

I used to work on Worthsmith airforce back in Oscoda Michigan before it closed and the B52 is a massive bomber the video doesn't do it justice for the size and when they take off the ground shakes and you will never forget the sound once you hear it

Since there is a program in place to replace these old Pratt and Whitney engines with new modern engines from Rolls-Royce it will be interesting to see if these new engines are equipped with a fast cart start system or another type of fast engine start system.

Cartridge starts means independent starts anywhere, anytime. Most civilian aircraft use a compressor start from a unit on the ground, great when you are not in a hurry! Old way can be the best way. Proven reliable by Strategic Air Command when you can't take a chance to fail.

Cart starts. We did it on F-4s and F-111s.

I remember one dispatch run that I was making that required me to drive behind a BUFF parked on bomber row. I can only assume that there was a technician working on the tail gun systems. Or playing an evil trick on me. Because as I was driving behind and somewhat perpendicular, I caught out of the corner of my left eye movement. The four .50 cal tail guns were tracking me. Noow I know the aircraft most likely wasn't armed, bbuut it still wasn't a pleasant feeling.

Sad to see someone dip so low to make money

Cart start? Done that at BHD on an Airbus A321-200 that had a fckd APU, only we used two high-speed high volume-compressors that were stupid-noisy even through ear protectors.

Fantastic !

More drivel cartridge start normal ops 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤡🤡🤡

i didn't see much of anything

Well, since these bombers need to get off the ground in case of nuclear attack in about 20 minutes or so, it seems they should keep lots of those cartridges ready to go...

They need to go on 24 hour alert again.

Superb.

This is mercy for human beings

They are a little bit bigger than my Cessna ...

For over 50 years, the B52 has asked the world: Do you really want to piss us off? Because after all -- We will send you the very best -- Just to show we care!

At 1:54 there is a bleed air "huffer cart" being used to start the engines.. is this because one of the start charges failed or a different starting sequence all together?

Oooo 10 minutes. The Royal Air Force did quick reaction alerts from outside the plane with cold engines to leaving the ground in 2 minutes.

Coach Sparano gonna earn his money with 2nd team guys for sure.

At 3:20, crewman looks like he has a Buc-ees patch.

I remember seeing them over the Mekong river

Didn't hear about it on the news. A. I.

Looked like 3 ladies and one dude on the one crew.

Notice the respirator of the ground crewman. Mil does care about its bois even if sometimes it treats them as property.

At 3.58 you state the USAF invented cart start to get the B52 away at short notice. Absolute rubbish!!! The cartridge start system was in use more the 10 years before the B52's first flight. Good video of a DH Venom using cart start on Vimeo and the Venom was in service in the early 50s and first flew in 1949. I'm sure there were earlier examples of cart start jets, too. The B52 and its extended life and service are impressive. This video is not.

Amazing planes

What a lot of people don’t understand that the B52 was the work horse during Vietnam and beyond that bird did his job even before most of you kids were born and still flying high,i know technology has changed since then.👍🫡

😮 did you get the instrument panel! Reminded me of the 707’s I worked on in 1969. Surely these airframes have out lived their usability. How much does it cost to keep them airworthy?

A Fantastic plane that was the right way, they got it right first time, no need for updates or anything else, that's why it has been service for so long.

Bringing Hell to you so you don't have to.

Damn the size of those wing mounted pylons. The way things are going in the world right now I wouldn't be completely surprised if they station some BUFFs at Seymour Johnson again in the future.

Excellent vid. Let's give thanks to the guys that keep these big birds flying. 🗽✈☢

Cartridge (Coffman) starters were first used in the 1930's for starting aero engines, tank engines and other large engines. Patented in the UK in 1935 and the USA in 1940

Can be away in two minutes, enough time to not be evaporated on the ground. Cut to ground grew.

Yep, that`s a plane all right.

While assigned at Torrejon (TJ) Spain, we were cart starting our F-4’s when a cart exploded catching the bottom of the plane on fire. I ran over to assist putting out the fire when someone said the plane was going to blow, luckily it did not. The criteria for receiving a medal was to charge the fire bottle, which I did not for fear of an explosion.

I grew up Air Force and like this old stuff but I live near Beale A.F.B. in California and have witnessed the new tech. TR3 Black triangle. What else do they have? I'm sure China and Russia are wondering too.

And here I just thought they would "get the call", get dressed, pat the dog, kiss the wife and head off to work... Who knew? :O)

clik bait - thumbs down

Don't tell Rolls Royce you might start the new engine's this way 😱😱😱😱🤣🤣🤣🤣🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

"Coffman engine starter", just it, same thing as "Flight of the Fenix" movie.

beautiful bird

Just like in "Flight of the Phoenix."

When are the New engines going to be installed?