Hi All,
How many B-52's were lost during the Vietnam war?. My brother is doing a essay on the Vietnam war and is doing a piece on the Military aircraft used in the war. Any idea's to the number lost and if possible the dates and locations.
Cheers
Mat
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- IMissPiedmont
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RE: B-52's In Vietnam, How Many Were Lost
I'd have to open my database to give you exact details but I recall 11 were lost to enemy fire. And 10 of those were within a one week period. I'll do the search if you want. Email me.
RE: B-52's In Vietnam, How Many Were Lost
Quite a few lost during the Linebacker II bombing campaign mid/late December 1972. Most downed by SAMs. I would say most B-52 losses to enemy fire in the Viet conflict occurred during this time period.
RE: B-52's In Vietnam, How Many Were Lost
Test question!!
Which military organization first shot a B-52 down?
I'll give the answer in another reply.
The B-52D, that is at the Air Force Museum, saw combat over North Vietnam and was damaged by a SA-2.
Shrapnel from a nearby missile explosion, punctured the airplane in over 120 places. Because of the black belly and underwings, it is tricky to spot the repairs and regularly visitors ask to see where the damage was. It is amazing how many people think they will still see the holes created by the shrapnel. But, aerospace education is one of the missions of the museum.
Which military organization first shot a B-52 down?
I'll give the answer in another reply.
The B-52D, that is at the Air Force Museum, saw combat over North Vietnam and was damaged by a SA-2.
Shrapnel from a nearby missile explosion, punctured the airplane in over 120 places. Because of the black belly and underwings, it is tricky to spot the repairs and regularly visitors ask to see where the damage was. It is amazing how many people think they will still see the holes created by the shrapnel. But, aerospace education is one of the missions of the museum.
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- garnetpalmetto
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RE: B-52's In Vietnam, How Many Were Lost
Which military organization first shot a B-52 down?
That would be the F-100s of the New Mexico ANG, which shot down 53-0380, a B-52B during an intercept training mission.
That would be the F-100s of the New Mexico ANG, which shot down 53-0380, a B-52B during an intercept training mission.
RE: B-52's In Vietnam, How Many Were Lost
I read the book Sidewinder by Ron Westrum and that went into detail why the ANG F100 shot the B 52 down.
RE: B-52's In Vietnam, How Many Were Lost
I think more then 11 were lost in the whole war. I thought they lost 10 the first week of Linebacker II? They flew the same route everyday. It was like shooting ducks in a barrel for the NVA.
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- IMissPiedmont
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RE: B-52's In Vietnam, How Many Were Lost
A very quick perusal of my databases came up with the following.
56-0584 s/d 12.26.72 Kinh No, N. Vietnam (crashed U-Tapao)
56-0599 s/d 12.27.72 near Hanoi
56-0605 s/d 12.27.72 nr Trung Quan, N. Vietnam (SAM hit)
56-0608 s/d 12.19.72 over Hanoi (SAM hit)
56-0622 s/d 12.20.72 nr Yen Vien, N. Vietnam (SAM hit)
55-0116 dber 1.13.73 Da Nang AB (landed w/ battle damage)
55-0110 s/d 11.22.72 over Vinh, N. Vietnam (crashed in
56-0601 w/o 7.8.67 Da Nang Vietnam (emergency landing)
56-0601 w/o 7.8.67 Da Nang Vietnam (emergency landing)
55-0050 s/d 12.22.72 Bach Mai, N. Vietnam (SAM hit)
55-0056 s/d 1.4.73 Vinh, N. Vietnam (crashed in South Vietnam)
55-0061 s/d nr Bach Mai, N. Vietnam (SAM hit)
56-0669 s/d 12.21.72 Hanoi (crashed in Laos ; SAM hit)
56-0674 s/d 12.26.72 nr Giap Nhi, N. Vietnam (SAM hit)
57-6481 s/d 12.20.72 nr Yen Vien, N. Vietnam
57-6496 s/d 12.20.72 Yen Vien, N. Vietnam (SAM hit)
58-0169 s/d 12.21.72 Kinh No, N. Vietnam (SAM hit)
58-0198 s/d 12.21.72 nr Kinh No, N. Vietnam (SAM hit)
58-0201 s/d 12.18.72 nr Yen Vien, N. Vietnam (SAM hit)
58-0246 s/d 12.19.72 nr Kinh No, N. Vietnam
More than 11 but not by much. Note also that 3 of the above made it back to base.
56-0584 s/d 12.26.72 Kinh No, N. Vietnam (crashed U-Tapao)
56-0599 s/d 12.27.72 near Hanoi
56-0605 s/d 12.27.72 nr Trung Quan, N. Vietnam (SAM hit)
56-0608 s/d 12.19.72 over Hanoi (SAM hit)
56-0622 s/d 12.20.72 nr Yen Vien, N. Vietnam (SAM hit)
55-0116 dber 1.13.73 Da Nang AB (landed w/ battle damage)
55-0110 s/d 11.22.72 over Vinh, N. Vietnam (crashed in
56-0601 w/o 7.8.67 Da Nang Vietnam (emergency landing)
56-0601 w/o 7.8.67 Da Nang Vietnam (emergency landing)
55-0050 s/d 12.22.72 Bach Mai, N. Vietnam (SAM hit)
55-0056 s/d 1.4.73 Vinh, N. Vietnam (crashed in South Vietnam)
55-0061 s/d nr Bach Mai, N. Vietnam (SAM hit)
56-0669 s/d 12.21.72 Hanoi (crashed in Laos ; SAM hit)
56-0674 s/d 12.26.72 nr Giap Nhi, N. Vietnam (SAM hit)
57-6481 s/d 12.20.72 nr Yen Vien, N. Vietnam
57-6496 s/d 12.20.72 Yen Vien, N. Vietnam (SAM hit)
58-0169 s/d 12.21.72 Kinh No, N. Vietnam (SAM hit)
58-0198 s/d 12.21.72 nr Kinh No, N. Vietnam (SAM hit)
58-0201 s/d 12.18.72 nr Yen Vien, N. Vietnam (SAM hit)
58-0246 s/d 12.19.72 nr Kinh No, N. Vietnam
More than 11 but not by much. Note also that 3 of the above made it back to base.
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- AvObserver
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RE: B-52's In Vietnam, How Many Were Lost
Here's an excellent reference I own on the Linebacker bombing campaigns...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1854094505/inktomi-bkasin-20/ref%3Dnosim/002-1254077-1157606
I think 17 aircraft is right, as IMissPiedmont posts; but I think I recall from this book that the 1st one was lost in April or May, 1972; the 1st B-52 to be brought down by a SAM. The other 16 I think were all lost during the 11-day Linebacker II campaign. I seem to recall there was also at least one that was hit but survived in October, '72. I might have it backwards, perhaps the one in the spring survived and the one in October was the first to crash. Pity I'm not home to refer to the book. The book also somewhat details earlier B-52 campaigns, like "Arc Light" but I don't think mentions S/N 56-0601 on 7/8/67. I don't think this B-52 was hit by a SAM but I'd need my book in front of me to be sure. And as Ramprat74 relates, the predictable routes dictated by SAC H.Q. played a big part in the losses. Great reading!
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1854094505/inktomi-bkasin-20/ref%3Dnosim/002-1254077-1157606
I think 17 aircraft is right, as IMissPiedmont posts; but I think I recall from this book that the 1st one was lost in April or May, 1972; the 1st B-52 to be brought down by a SAM. The other 16 I think were all lost during the 11-day Linebacker II campaign. I seem to recall there was also at least one that was hit but survived in October, '72. I might have it backwards, perhaps the one in the spring survived and the one in October was the first to crash. Pity I'm not home to refer to the book. The book also somewhat details earlier B-52 campaigns, like "Arc Light" but I don't think mentions S/N 56-0601 on 7/8/67. I don't think this B-52 was hit by a SAM but I'd need my book in front of me to be sure. And as Ramprat74 relates, the predictable routes dictated by SAC H.Q. played a big part in the losses. Great reading!
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- IMissPiedmont
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RE: B-52's In Vietnam, How Many Were Lost
Disregard 56-0601, it was not battle related. 55-0110 crashed in Thailand and I do not know the fate of the crew, as I do not know the fate of 55-0056 or 56-0069 or 56-0584. That leaves 13 shot down that crashed in North Vietnam.
I also do not include the 20 or 30 that were so badly damaged that they were scrapped.
I also do not include the 20 or 30 that were so badly damaged that they were scrapped.
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- AvObserver
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RE: B-52's In Vietnam, How Many Were Lost
Just an aside; the B-52D on display at the Air Force Museum adjacent to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base outside Dayton, Ohio, was one of the airplanes that participated in the Linebacker II campaign (I'm not sure of its' S/N, check out the museum's website). It, too, suffered extensive battle damage which was repaired, as detailed in a diagram posted beside the BUFF. I believe they considered scrapping this one but didn't.
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- IMissPiedmont
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RE: B-52's In Vietnam, How Many Were Lost
The only B-52 I've seen at the USAF museum is "Lucky Lady III" 53-0394 which is a B-52B-35. I am though stating that from faltering memory and a somewhat neglected database.
Re: B-52's In Vietnam, How Many Were Lost
I came here to find out if any B-52s were lost in South Vietnam (and Guam or elsewhere) that were bombing South Vietnamese targets from 1968-1971 - I ask this because a former airman during this period has publicly claimed to have treated combat casualties and to have lost friends. He was a B-52 avionics technician, probably based in Guam for his Vietnam War service. He most recently made this claim in news article in Illinois last week. Since he is known for a number of other misrepresentations of his later Army Reserve service, I have strong reason to question what he said in this article about his Vietnam service.
Re: B-52's In Vietnam, How Many Were Lost
My uncle died as commander of 58-0201 which was the first to be shot down in LB2 and the one who's wreckage is on display at the Army museum in Hanoi.
They got hit by two SAMs at once. It sounds like my uncle was fatally injured by the SAMS themselves but he was conscious long enough to issue the command to bail out and start the ejection sequence. He managed to eject himself but he died before he hit the ground.Two others died including the co-pilot. The other three became residents of the Hanoi Hilton.
They got hit by two SAMs at once. It sounds like my uncle was fatally injured by the SAMS themselves but he was conscious long enough to issue the command to bail out and start the ejection sequence. He managed to eject himself but he died before he hit the ground.Two others died including the co-pilot. The other three became residents of the Hanoi Hilton.
Re: B-52's In Vietnam, How Many Were Lost
777PHX wrote:My uncle died as commander of 58-0201 which was the first to be shot down in LB2
Sorry to hear this...
777PHX wrote:the one who's wreckage is on display at the Army museum in Hanoi.
You mean the so called "Museum of Victory over B-52"?
I am asking because there is also an "army museum", official name "Hanoi Vietnam Military History Museum" but there is no B52 wreckage in this museum.
I visited the "Museum of Victory over B-52" and the B52-lake two years ago and posted some pictures: viewtopic.php?t=1028383
kc135topboom explained that this "wreckage" seems to have been built of parts from two or more B-52s
Best regards
N14AZ
Re: B-52's In Vietnam, How Many Were Lost
no B-52 was shut down by MIGs ?
Re: B-52's In Vietnam, How Many Were Lost
LPSHobby wrote:no B-52 was shut down by MIGs ?
Recently, there was a thread that dealt exactly with that question. Made a quick search but didn't find it. IIRC, the answer was "Chong!" (Vietnamese word for no).
Re: B-52's In Vietnam, How Many Were Lost
N14AZ wrote:LPSHobby wrote:no B-52 was shut down by MIGs ?
Recently, there was a thread that dealt exactly with that question. Made a quick search but didn't find it. IIRC, the answer was "Chong!" (Vietnamese word for no).
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1347907
Re: B-52's In Vietnam, How Many Were Lost
31 total (17 in combat)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_aircraft_losses_of_the_Vietnam_War#USAF_fixed-wing
They were shooting back. Close to 10.000 aircraft lost in total.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_aircraft_losses_of_the_Vietnam_War#USAF_fixed-wing
They were shooting back. Close to 10.000 aircraft lost in total.
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- AirlineCritic
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Re: B-52's In Vietnam, How Many Were Lost
I read the wikipedia article on the Linebreaker II. Fascinating. And pretty incompetent planning from the airforce, leading to the unexpectedly high losses. Not to speak of the political wrangling that led to the whole setup at that stage of the war.
War is not pretty.
War is not pretty.
Re: B-52's In Vietnam, How Many Were Lost
N14AZ wrote:777PHX wrote:My uncle died as commander of 58-0201 which was the first to be shot down in LB2
Sorry to hear this...777PHX wrote:the one who's wreckage is on display at the Army museum in Hanoi.
You mean the so called "Museum of Victory over B-52"?
I am asking because there is also an "army museum", official name "Hanoi Vietnam Military History Museum" but there is no B52 wreckage in this museum.
I visited the "Museum of Victory over B-52" and the B52-lake two years ago and posted some pictures: viewtopic.php?t=1028383
kc135topboom explained that this "wreckage" seems to have been built of parts from two or more B-52s
Best regards
N14AZ
Yeah, I think the one in the picture is it, I know it's not the one in the lake. I haven't seen it in person yet, but I will eventually.
The whole thing was a pretty compelling story. The crew of Charcoal 1 wasn't even supposed to be on that mission. They had fulfilled their TDY and was due to be replaced. The replacement crew got held up in Arkansas by a snow storm on their way out to Andersen and fatefully, they ended up doing one more mission. One of the survivors wrote a manuscript of the events including interviewing the Vietnamese operating the SAM launcher that shot them down that night. He included some pictures in the book including one of 58-0201 in the "museum" or whatever it is, and it looks similar to the pictures you took above.
This article references part of the guy's memoirs and gives a blow-by-blow of the crew in question:
https://www.airspacemag.com/military-av ... g-1813815/
My goal is find some of the people that took part in this and interview them for a documentary or book or something. I know their squadron commander is still alive in CA and the survivor that wrote the book lives in Florida.
Re: B-52's In Vietnam, How Many Were Lost
See ADC016682 [AFFDL-TR-77-115] A Comparative Analysis of USAF Fixed-Wing Aircraft Losses in Southeast Asia Combat http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADC016682
Re: B-52's In Vietnam, How Many Were Lost
WKTaylor wrote:See ADC016682 [AFFDL-TR-77-115] A Comparative Analysis of USAF Fixed-Wing Aircraft Losses in Southeast Asia Combat http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADC016682
Thanks, that is a terrific link. So many lessons that can still be learned from Vietnam.
Re: B-52's In Vietnam, How Many Were Lost
Some of the stuff they were doing was absolutely idiotic and the crews realized it. Flying the same routes every night at the same altitudes in bunched formations of three. It became a matter of just setting the angle of the missile and waiting for contacts to appear on the radar in the ECM haze, and then just fire and forget. It was a god damn turkey shoot.
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- PIEAvantiP180
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Re: B-52's In Vietnam, How Many Were Lost
My former JROTC instructor was a B52 pilot and flew combat missions during the Vietnam war. His tail gunner shot down a Mig 17 one nigh while flying over Hanoi, he has a patch that said Mig Killer. The B52 sitting in front of MCO is one of the very ones he flew while on active duty, but i could not confirm if that is the one he flew while flying missions over Vietnam. During his service he was stationed at MCO while it was a SAC base and was one of ready alert crews. He told us while he was going thru training the instructors told the class a B52 will not and newer to attempt to bank the aircraft at 90 degree angles, he went on to say when you have telephone pole size missiles coming at you the plane will do that and more.
Re: B-52's In Vietnam, How Many Were Lost
I've been to the B-52 Victory Museum and the nearby Hồ Bảy Gian. Here is a picture of the wreckage in the lake
