B-52/kc-135 Aerobatics Team?

[B777LR]

Ive read A.net, that the US Air Force was going to start a B-52 + KC-135 display team in the 1980s. Team was dropped when a -135 crashed into a bunch of fellow -135s on the ground. Any pictures of this team?

[Jennings]

Not quite.  The 92nd Bomb Wing at Fairchild AFB Washington did do a display "team" (if you want to call it that) to do low level refueling demos at airshows.  With one big fiery crash, the thing came to a screeching halt.  There was no 'team' (as if it were a quartet of KC-135s and B-52s or something) and it was completely unofficial (and not condoned).  Lots of people lost their jobs as a result of that silliness.  It was just stupid from start to finish.

J


NY Times Piece on the crash

[Mechworker]

I recall seeing B-52/KC-135 refuelling demos back in the early 80's at the London Ontario show. At least I think I remember one of them.

Would this have been the "thunderhawks", or just an unofficial demo?

I also remember A-10 refuelling demos, as well as a CF-5/CC-??? (our 707 tanker) demo back in about '88/'89.

[Jennings]

No, the "Thunderhawk" thing lasted a few weeks/months.  It didn't exist until the late 1980s.

J