NASA's Workhorse B-52B Will Be Displayed At Edwards AFB

Balls Eight, the venerable B-52B that's served as an aerial launch platform for all sorts of experimental aircraft and rockets, has a new home.

The bomber, built according to a contract signed by the Air Force in 1952, was rolled out in early 1955, according to Alan Brown, the PAO at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center.

"It rolled out of the Boeing plant in February, 1955," he said. "After final outfitting and checkouts, [A/C #0008] first flew on June 11, 1955. The Air Force used it as a test aircraft for about three years before it and B-52A #0003 were tapped to be the motherships for the X-15 program in 1958. They were both sent to North American Aviation in Palmdale for major modifications to convert them into their launch aircraft role, and were returned to the Air Force at Edwards AFB in 1959 for the X-15 program."

Balls Eight was turned over to NASA on a long-term loan from the Air Force in 1976.

"Our B-52B's 'final resting place' has been determined," Brown told us. "It will be at Edwards AFB." The exact location hasn't been set at this point, but sources say it most likely will become a gate sentry at Edwards' North Gate off Highway 58.

If the aircraft makes another flight, it will probably be a ferry flight to Boeing's Wichita plant for removal of some of the specialized equipment installed for its mothership role. After that, Balls Eight will be ferried back to Edwards.

Dryden, along with the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, will host a formal retirement ceremony for Balls Eight on Friday, December 17 at 1000 local at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center. The ceremony will feature brief remembrances from several individuals who have been involved with the aircraft over the decades including pilots, engineers and others, along with a ceremonial handover of the aircraft back to the Air Force for its final disposition as a display artifact.

FMI: www.dfrc.nasa.gov