North American Rockwell / Boeing B-1 Lancer

[XP67_Moonbat]

Good read. Bought mine in Dubai.

 

[Steve Pace]

Thanks!

SP

 

[Steve Pace]

Has anyone seen a B-1B with ordnance attached to external hard points? I for one have not. And I wrote a WARBIRD HISTORY book on it.

Well, page 91 of your book has a photo of 85-0068 with the external AGM-129 semi-conformal pylons on those hardpoints.

That was only a test - never put into any operational mission(s).

 

[Tuomasn]

I think I got this picture from the Key Publishing forums a few years back.

 

[Abraham Gubler]

Here are some colour pictures of the B-1B fitted with ACM pylons discussed earlier in this thread.

 

[Abraham Gubler]

Not quite a “secret project” but rather a “secret paintjob”. I’ve being trying to track this down after reading about it online a few years ago. The proposed B-1B Two Tone or ‘Killer Whale’ camouflage pattern. Combines dark and pale grey for camouflage effect while retaining protection against flash and heat from a nuclear explosion. The pale grey segments covered heat sensitive areas of the aircraft and would work like an all-white ‘anti-flash’ coating common in nuclear bombers of the 50s and 60s.

 

[Johnbr]

Thanks for the photos and info.

 

[ouroboros]

Here are some colour pictures of the B-1B fitted with ACM pylons discussed earlier in this thread.

Is it just me, or are the bomb bay doors not able to fully open because the ACM is in the way? And I wonder what those protrusions on the starboard engine pod are? Covers for cameras or test sensors, or some other kind of secondary equipment?

 

[pedal]

Wouldn't of been a problem, external ACM were fired first at some distance, Racks then ejected, before descending to low Alt for its SRAM run (or more ACM from distance)

 

[Abraham Gubler]

Is it just me, or are the bomb bay doors not able to fully open because the ACM is in the way? And I wonder what those protrusions on the starboard engine pod are? Covers for cameras or test sensors, or some other kind of secondary equipment?

The bomb bay doors are opened wide enough to drop stores from the rotary launchers. They could not use the bomb rack launchers for dumb bombs with the pylons fitted. But it is very unlikely that a mission would mix cruise missiles and dumb bombs so this wouldn't be a problem. Not that the B-B ever carried the pylons after testing anyway. The engine bay pods are camera pods for recording weapon release.

 

[Overkiller]

Referring back to post # 79, and the B-1B Two Tone "Killer Whale" scheme, are there any details as to the precise colours used (ie FS numbers perhaps) other than the drawing's "Pale Gray" and "Dark Gray"?

Duncan

 

[Abraham Gubler]

Referring back to post # 79, and the B-1B Two Tone "Killer Whale" scheme, are there any details as to the precise colours used (ie FS numbers perhaps) other than the drawing's "Pale Gray" and "Dark Gray"?

Nope and the same source mentions the FS numbers for the actual three tone paint scheme used on the B-1B. So I guess the two tone scheme was never developed far enough for precise shade allocation.

 

[Overkiller]

Referring back to post # 79, and the B-1B Two Tone "Killer Whale" scheme, are there any details as to the precise colours used (ie FS numbers perhaps) other than the drawing's "Pale Gray" and "Dark Gray"?

Nope and the same source mentions the FS numbers for the actual three tone paint scheme used on the B-1B. So I guess the two tone scheme was never developed far enough for precise shade allocation.

Thank you.

 

[aim9xray]

While that color scheme did not make it onto the aircraft, it was the default scheme for the first Airfix 1/72nd scale model release of the B-1B. I *think* that the specified colors were Light and Dark Ghost Gray - but the light gray on the boxtop looks to be lighter. Perhaps you could hit up one of the modeling forums to see if anyone has the painting instructions (I don't have one in the kit stash; one look in the box convinced me that it placed third in a two-horse race.)

 

[Overkiller]

While that color scheme did not make it onto the aircraft, it was the default scheme for the first Airfix 1/72nd scale model release of the B-1B. I *think* that the specified colors were Light and Dark Ghost Gray - but the light gray on the boxtop looks to be lighter. Perhaps you could hit up one of the modeling forums to see if anyone has the painting instructions (I don't have one in the kit stash; one look in the box convinced me that it placed third in a two-horse race.)

Thank you, I'll make some enquiries on the modelling forums. I kept thinking I had seen that particular scheme on the box of a model...somewhere...I just couldn't remember where I had seen it before.

Duncan

 

[Weapons Loader]

Is it just me, or are the bomb bay doors not able to fully open because the ACM is in the way? And I wonder what those protrusions on the starboard engine pod are? Covers for cameras or test sensors, or some other kind of secondary equipment?

Hello all, I worked B-1Bs at Dyess AFB, TX from 2002 to 2008. I saw this topic and had to chime in. Good info on the very early B-1 program.

Anyway, about those pylons and the door position...

When they were installed, the electrical connection from the pylon to the aircraft generated a "PYLON INSTALLED" signal in the Offensive Avionics System (OAS), and the jet "knew" not to open the doors past the PART OPEN position. An arrangement of 12 magnetic sensors installed on the doors' hinges would "sense" the doors' position and relay it to the OAS as well. The instant the doors got to PART OPEN an electrically controlled valve would shut off hydraulic power to the bay door drive motor.

Judging by the width of the AGM-129, there can't be much room to open the bay doors once the missiles are on pylons. Perhaps it was planned to shoot-off your external cruise missiles first, then drop the internal cruise missiles off the CSRL.

Additionally, in early days, the aircraft's OAS could only be programmed to accommodate Rotary Launcher (Nuclear) or Bomb Module(Conventional) in its software. With NUCLEAR programmed into the OAS, the bay doors were limited to PART OPEN, pylons or no. This is because I guess the PART OPEN position provides for a "cleaner" bomb separation out of the bay wind turbulence-wise. CONVENTIONAL software only allowed the doors to open to the FULL position.

Yes these pylons were jettisonable, but I'm not aware of any tests (airborne of ground) of this capability, but I do know this feature wound-up being deleted since I guess they could not trust a jettisoned pylon not to smack the nacelles or the fuselage as it fell away. From what I've read a B-1B with 12 AGM-129s hanging off of it would have abysmal range, and jettisoning the pylons in the name of reducing drag would not make much of a difference.

 

[fightingirish]

Here a video "United States Air Force B-1B Bomber" just found at Youtube.

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5QDmMFhipM


Enjoy the video and Happy Weekend!

 

[sferrin]

TGIF for sure.

 

[Triton]

1/60-scale Rockwell International B-1B found on eBay.

URL:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-USAF-1-60-ROCKWELL-B-1B-DESK-DISPLAY-FACTORY-CONTRACTOR-MODEL-AIRPLANE-/350519636784?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item519c993330

 

[Orionblamblam]

Re: 1/60 scale Rockwell International B-1B

No pictures?

 

[Triton]

Re: 1/60 scale Rockwell International B-1B

No pictures?

Isn't it beyond the scope of this forum since the project was built? I thought that the model was too nice to ignore.

 

[Orionblamblam]

Re: 1/60 scale Rockwell International B-1B

No pictures?

Isn't it beyond the scope of this forum since the project was built? I thought that the model was too nice to ignore.

And after the auction is over, nobody will ever be able to know what it looked like, since there are no pictures of it on this thread. If it's too nice to ignore *today,* it's too nice to ignore six months from now.

 

[Mark Nankivil]

Re: 1/60 scale Rockwell International B-1B

Here's the pics - nice model... Mark

 

[Triton]

Roland B-1B model

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ROLAND-USAF-ROCKWELL-B-1-DESK-TOP-DISPLAY-FACTORY-MODEL-PLANE-AIRPLANE-/230718924845?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b7eb682d

Seller's description:

RARE & VINTAGE 1972 ROLAND PLASTICS INC. USAF ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL B-1 LANCER ENGINEER FACTORY PROMOTIONAL DESKTOP DISPLAY ADJUSTABLE WING MODEL AIRPLANE WITH STAND VIA FORMER USAF GENERAL CURTIS LEMAY SUPREME COMMANDER OF SAC.

eBay Auction Description:

This auction is for a RARE & VINTAGE 1972 ROLAND PLASTICS INC. USAF ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL B-1 LANCER ENGINEER FACTORY PROMOTIONAL DESKTOP DISPLAY ADJUSTABLE WING MODEL AIRPLANE WITH STAND VIA FORMER USAF GENERAL CURTIS LEMAY SUPREME COMMANDER OF SAC. This rare one piece model is made of hard injected molded plastic and resin composite type materials. The model airplane itself measures approximately 15.00" long x 8.00" to 13.00" wingspan (varies) x 3.00" tall. The original hard acrylic plastic and metal stand measure approximately 6.50" long x 4.50" wide x 6.00" tall. The model's wings can be adjusted into various positions. Also, the model can be adjusted and rotated into various positions, while connected to the original factory stand.

 

[Triton]

Re: Roland B-1B model

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ROLAND-USAF-ROCKWELL-B-1-DESK-TOP-DISPLAY-FACTORY-MODEL-PLANE-AIRPLANE-/230718924845?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b7eb682d

 

[Triton]

The B-1B Low Level Bomber (1985)

United States Air Force (USAF) documentary that gives an overview of the B-1B low level bomber and the plans to employ 100 of these bombers by the Strategic Air Command. The film also gives a brief explanation of the need for this and other bombers that have been deployed or proposed by the USAF, testing of the B1-A bomber in the 1970's and improvements to the design to create the B1-B. Weapons capabilities are also discussed.

View: http://youtu.be/r5QDmMFhipM

 

[flateric]

http://archive.org/details/TheB1BBomberAndOptionsForEnhancement

 

[Sundog]

Thanks for posting this. I found the section on the NOE range problems, and the required solutions, interesting.

 

[sferrin]

The PDF links don't seem to work at that link. Here is an alternate:
http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/ftpdocs/62xx/doc6257/doc07b-entire.pdf

 

[Vahe Demirjian]

A B-1B just crashed in Montana.....

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57599191/b-1-bomber-crashes-in-southeast-montana/

This now leaves 62 B-1Bs in service with the USAF, and like the B-2, no B-1s have been lost in combat, they've been lost in peacetime accidents. The big question is whether or not there may be a number of technical issues with the B-1B that haven't been addressed in previous upgrades. If a tiny number of structural problems exist, then the USAF may have to upgrade the B-1s again and retire a teeny tiny handful of B-1Bs that may be too expensive to upgrade and maintain.

 

[Michel Van]

on 4 october 1989 a B-1B made a training flight from Dyess AFB, Texas
as they return, there nose-wheel refused to operate
with million dollar Bomber and Crew what to do ?
USAF ask Rockwell engineers, they came to simple solution land and faceplanting the bomber on soft ground
so the B-1B make detour to Edwards AFB Rogers Dry Lake
at arrival allot cameras filmed the surrealistic Landing.
Pilot Jeffrey K. Beebe made excellent landing and got for "most meritorious flight of the year" the Mackay Trophy.

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmZC5uaw69s

 

[SOC]

Some time later, an attempt was made to re-create this landing on the paved runway at Diego Garcia. Seeing an opportunity to better the Edwards landing, the crew elected to leave the main landing gear up as well.

 

[Michel Van]

Some time later, an attempt was made to re-create this landing on the paved runway at Diego Garcia. Seeing an opportunity to better the Edwards landing, the crew elected to leave the main landing gear up as well.

What for plane they used for that ?

 

[SOC]

Another Bone.

 

[Bill Walker]

Very interesting to see the amount of fuselage flex when the nose hits the dirt.

 

[Desert Dawn]

This is an incredible and very clean landing. It looks like it got away only with minimal damage to the nose, but the engine will have to have a thorough clean up... It looked like a real bird while it was landing with its two main legs.

Stephane.

 

[sferrin]

It's amusing watching topics travel from site to site.

 

[Colonial-Marine]

A few questions if anybody here knows the answers. Were the prototype B-1As actually capable of a M1.2 speed at low level or was that planned for production aircraft prior to that requirement change?

Regarding external weapons carriage, were those racks for the ACM the same that would have been used for the older ALCM as well? I don't see anything outboard of the second row of racks, where supposedly 2 additional ALCMs would be carried individually for a total of 14.

With the exception of the much later "B-1R" proposal was there any consideration for other weapons to be carried externally?

 

[quellish]

Regarding external weapons carriage, were those racks for the ACM the same that would have been used for the older ALCM as well? I don't see anything outboard of the second row of racks, where supposedly 2 additional ALCMs would be carried individually for a total of 14.

Nope. Those pylons were very specific to the ACM. The B-1 was designed to carry ALCM externally but that was never flight tested as far as I have been able to find. Only the ACM was, and that was a different configuration than was designed for the ALCM.

 

[kitnut617]

Very interesting to see the amount of fuselage flex when the nose hits the dirt.

One time when I was at the Cold Lake (Alberta) Airshow, a B-1B was being demonstrated and after whipping down the runway at very low level and wings back, it pulled up and did a barrel roll as it gained height. Sometime later at the Abbotsford (BC) Airshow I was talking to the captain of another B-1B and mentioned it to him. His response was (and pointing at his aircraft at the same time), 'that's what hot-dogging does'. He was pointing at all the wrinkles the forward end of the aircraft had ----