Not at posted coordinates! Be sure to check the logbook for the bonus codes!
Perhaps no B-52 variant up until now could be superlative, but the B-52G was intended to be a Super BUFF. The first G, serial number 57-6468, rolled out of the Wichita hangar for the first time on 14 July 1958, and first flew operationally that Halloween. The most striking difference was a stub tail, shortened by 91 inches to save weight. The G-model weight was 15,000 lbs less than the previous models, and her maximum gross weight was raised to 488,000 lbs. The G’s carried more fuel, nearly 6,500 gallons worth, and in integrated tanks in the wings (no more fuel bladders); further increasing its unrefueled range. The wingtip tanks were smaller, only 700 gallons and could be jettisoned when empty, further saving weight. The gunner position was moved to the forward compartment, and an improved fire control system managed the guns. Moving the gunner allowed the heavy pressurization tunnel to the tail and tail cabin to be deleted. Lighter materials were used, and while effective, the flight profile the BUFFs were expected to conduct led to enormous stresses on the wings and airframe. Strategic Air Command (SAC) restricted the G’s flights until the wings were upgraded with a modified wing box from special aluminum, under the $139 million Engineering Change 1050. The modified wings gave the BUFFs their most stout capability yet, the mission to carry the AGM-28 Hound Dog missile, a nuclear warhead-equipped cruise missile carried under the wings and fired as a standoff weapon (see Feelin’ BUFF 24: B-52 Armament: AGM-28 Hound Dog Missile). With Seattle’s BUFF production closed, Wichita built them all; an arsenal 193 strong. The first G to enter SAC service went to the 5th Bomb Wing at Travis AFB, California in February 1959. Many G’s served in Vietnam, and dozens served in the first Gulf War. Some launched conventional cruise missiles in combat (see Feelin’ BUFF 27: B-52 Armament: AGM-86C/D Conventional Air Launched Cruise Missile). In SAC, eleven squadrons were armed with the G; until 1989 none were retired, and only because they were worn out. The final G was retired in 1994.
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-52G completed, serial number 58-NXXX, A=(N/1)
B= Day in July 1958 first B-52G rolled out of the Wichita assembly hangar, XN July, B=(N/2)
C= Amount of weight B-52G was lighter than the previous models, XX,NXX lbs, C=(N/0)
D= Amount of additional fuel B-52Gs carried compared to earlier models, X,NXX gallons, D=(N/1)
E= Tail was shortened by how many inches to save weight, NX inches, E=(N/3)
F= Total B-52G production, NNN aircraft, F=(NNN-185)
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.