B-52 in ‘test orange’ paint scheme
October 8, 2024
When B-52H Stratofortress 61-0028 (named ‘Wolfpack’) returned to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana after undergoing Programmed Depot Maintenance (PDM) at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, the aircraft wore a new colour scheme.
The aircraft had DayGlo orange areas on its forward fuselage, wingtips, engine nacelles, and vertical tailfin. The new colour scheme was intended to evoke the dayglo panels applied to previous experimental B-52s, including NB-52A 52-0003 ‘The High and Mighty One’, converted as a mothership for the X-15 programme, carrying the National Aeronautics and Space Administration hypersonic research aircraft on the reinforced starboard pylon.
Orange has long been associated with aerospace testing and was intended to increase conspicuity in the air, and to aid in the recovery of downed aircraft. The use of orange for test aircraft was formalized in 1959, when a study recommended the colour for test vehicles.
Lt. Col. Sarah Silva, 49th TES commander said that: “A heritage orange test and evaluation paint scheme represents a rich history of substantial advancements and progress within the US Air Force, the test enterprise, and the B-52’s life cycle.”
“By showcasing the test orange scheme, we are reminding everyone of the B-52’s incredible journey and the continuous progress made within the Air Force. This aircraft has been a symbol of power and precision, and we are excited for this next era of modernization.”
Each of the USAF’s 76 B-52Hs typically undergoes the months-long PDM process every four years, and 61-0028 arrived at Tinker earlier this year, where the 76th Aircraft Maintenance Group (76th AMXG) paint shop removed the aircraft’s old paint before the 565th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron performed the detailed inspections and engineering work.”
After the PDM was completed, the B-52H was test flown by the 10th Flight Test Squadron, 413th Test Group, Air Force Reserve Command on 26 August. For this functional check flight the aircraft was mostly unpainted, though she did have a dayglo orange rudder.
The aircraft made its first flight in its new colour scheme on 30 September, using a 49th TES callsign (‘Lobo 49’) and was returned to the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Barksdale, where she will receive her ‘OT’ tailcode and ‘49 TES’ tail markings, and some other markings.
The aircraft will soon be operating in support of the B-52J upgrade programme, which will see the aircraft being fitted with new engines, radar, avionics and cockpit equipment.
