Crab Walk B-52

[sharkman]

Watch This B-52 'Crabwalk' Down The Runway In A Heavy Crosswind Like Only It Can

Watch this B-52's unique swiveling landing gear get a full workout during this windy recovery at RAF Fairford.

www.thedrive.com

This is pretty cool!

 

[Sherman 18]

Thanks for sharing

 

[Big10]

that was awesome

 

[Heavens Eagle]

I knew the 4 main gear could swivel and the plane could roll like that. I didn't know it could land sideways like that. COOL!

 

[moon puppy]

Saw it many times when I was at GFAFB. They say they could pivot on it's axis but never saw that. What's wild is seeing it land so nose down. Even in flight it's got a weird AoA very nose down.

 

[paddy]

I wonder if that wasnt done on purpose as i dont see any attempt to correct it with rudder ?

 

[moon puppy]

It's surely done on purpose. Cross wind in a BUFF is tough, I've seen them do it on take off also. I remember seeing early plans for GFAFB at the museum or somewhere, they were going to have a cross wind runway that was just as long. It was told that with the BUFF's landing gear arrangement it eliminated the need.
You got that much side surface area on an aircraft any wind from the side is going to make it like a big ol' freakin weather vane. Also note the BUFF doesn't have ailerons, roll is done by the spoilers on the top surface of the wings.