Not at posted coordinates! Be sure to check the logbook for the bonus codes!
The first B-52F (serial number 57-0030) rolled out of the assembly hangar at Wichita on 18 Feb 1958, and first flew operationally (the Seattle bird took flight before the first production aircraft at Wichita) on 1 June 1958. The B-52F incorporated a few advancements over the previous models: upgraded J57-43-W engines, capable of dry thrust of 11,200 lbs, or wet (water-injected) at 13,750 lbs. Additionally, the alternator on all previous BUFFs was air turbine-driven, and very cantankerous to maintain and operate. The F’s debuted redesigned alternators that were simpler, more reliable and easier to maintain, but necessitated revising the engine pod cowling, and a prominent bulge on the lower left of each engine pod housed the new alternators, providing a good spotting feature for identifying F’s. As a final note, the tall vertical tail associated with the B-52s up through the E-models, and overall Seattle BUFF production ended with the B-52F.
The F’s with their stronger engines and reliable alternators became the go-to aircraft when the war in Southeast Asia erupted in Vietnam. In fact, they saw combat before the venerable D-models. Part of the reason the F’s were so valuable was an upgrade (code-named South Bay) which added underwing external pylons (based on the pylons that carried the Hound Dog missile and mounted on the same wing hard points) that could carry an additional 24 750-lb bombs. In total, 28 F-models were South Bay-modified. The F was first deployed to Vietnam in June 1965, as the 7th and 320th Bombardment Wings conducted the first sorties over Vietnam. That next spring, the D’s replaced the F’s in Vietnam, where they ended conventional combat operations. The F’s were worn out and retired in 1973-78.
To find this cache, calculate the coordinates from the information in this listing.
N 48° 19.ABC W 101° 16.DEF
A= Serial number of first B-52F serial number 57-XXNN, A=(NN/5)
BC= Day in February 1958 first B-52F rolled out of the assembly hangar at Wichita, NN February, BC=(NN+2)
D= Total thrust with water injection for improved engines lbs, XX,NXX lbs thrust, D=(N)
E= Additional number of 750-lb bombs carried by South Bay modified B-52Fs, NN bombs, E=(NN/4)
F= Total number of South Bay modified B-52Fs, F=(NN/14)
Dorr, R. & Peacock, L. (1995). Boeing’s Cold War Warrior: B-52 Stratofortress. London, UK; Osprey Aerospace.
Lake, J. (2004). B-52 Stratofortress Units in Combat: 1955-1973. Osprey: University Park, IL.
Remak, J. (2016). Boeing B-52 Stratofortress: Warrior Queen of the USAF. Fonthill: Croyden, United Kingdom.