Development of the B-52: The Wright Field Story
by Lori S. Tagg. History Office, Aeronautical Systems Center (http://www.ascho.wpafb.af.mil),
Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, 2004,
144 pages, $67.00 (softcover).
Much has been written about the Boeing B-52—deservedly so, not only
because the Stratofortress continues to serve a half century after it
became operational, but also because it has played a significant role
in combat during this period. Students of aviation will find this
offering refreshing, for Lori Tagg presents a good documented study
that focuses on the Air Force’s role in the development of the bomber.
Attractively presented—8.5 by 11 inches on slick paper—the book
includes numerous photographs, many never seen before, along with
three views of the various versions that led up to the operational
bomber. A number of appendices contain organizational charts of Wright
Field, Ohio, and the various design requirements that shaped the
bomber. Readers will also find the bibliography and extensive
footnotes useful.
Tagg begins with the well-known story of Boeing engineers coming up
with the swept-wing and jet design for the B-52 (from the previous
straight-wing version powered by turboprops) over one weekend in
October 1948. A good story, it allows her to make the point that this
oversimplified view shows how the Air Force’s role in the bomber’s
development has been slighted. Tagg mainly draws on primary sources
and makes good use of interviews. She particularly depends on Lt Col
Henry Warden, chief of the bomber branch at Wright-Patterson AFB,
Ohio, from 1945 to 1950, and thus more or less the Air Force program
manager of the aircraft. According to her, the interviews with Warden
form the backbone of the book, which lives up to its title and
subtitle and pays considerable attention to bureaucratic fights. A
brief concluding section deals with the aircraft’s operational use.
Tagg makes clear that the B-52’s development was not simple. Boeing,
Wright Field, Strategic Air Command, and the Air Staff continually
pulled and pushed the design in different directions. This was a
trying time for Airmen as they gained their independence, demobilized
from the huge wartime establishment, and began the conversion to jets.
They wanted a heavily armed bomber large enough to carry the five-ton
atomic bomb to intercontinental ranges at high speeds. But since
air-to-air refueling had not been perfected, much less adopted, Airmen
believed that only prop-powered aircraft would have the required
intercontinental range. Boeing won the initial competition in 1946
with a design that looked like an enlarged B-29 featuring six
turboprop engines and five turrets mounting a dozen 20 mm guns. We
know, of course, that this design evolved, but it is less well known
that the B52 came close to cancellation on more than one occasion.
The author notes the infighting at Wright Field between the bomber
branch and laboratories, especially over the issues of propulsion (as
one might expect, the propeller people fought tooth and nail to retain
props) and armament. The two key decisions made against the
laboratories’ recommendations called for switching to jet propulsion
and reducing armament to only a tail turret.
Tagg does an excellent job, but the book has a few shortfalls. As a
chronicle rather than a narrative, the study does not lend itself to
smooth reading; nevertheless, it is effective. More significantly, one
wishes Tagg had included analysis and conclusions. Further, she does
not address a number of questions of interest, such as the reasons for
the B52’s initial success and longevity; lessons learned that the Air
Force used later in bomber development (as well as lessons that it
should have learned and applied); and the connection among Boeing’s
B-47, civilian jet airliners, and B-52.
We know that the B-52 was a tremendous success, and now we have a
fuller picture of how that happened. Tagg and the Aeronautical Systems
Center (ASC) History Office are to be complimented for this fine
addition to the literature. They promise a succeeding volume that will
cover B-52 modifications and weapons. If it matches the high quality
of this effort, it will indeed be greatly appreciated. We can only
hope that the author’s success with this volume will encourage the ASC
and other Air Force history offices to produce similar works on other
important aircraft, missiles, and weapons.
Dr. Kenneth P. Werrell
Christiansburg, Virginia
Disclaimer
The conclusions and opinions expressed in this document are those of the author cultivated in the freedom of expression, academic environment of Air University. They do not reflect the official position of the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, the United States Air Force or the Air University.
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