'Deep Inside The "BUFF"...'

Yes it is the bombardier or as he used to be called the Radar Navigator. In the B-1, I think he is called the Offensive Weapons Officer.

That station has changed a lot from my days in the Buff.
 
I know a few ex-BUFF cave dwellers. While it does look like a neat station, it's pretty heavy on the spacial disorientation. Many, many barf bags are filled in that area.
 
jmig said:
Yes it is the bombardier or as he used to be called the Radar Navigator. In the B-1, I think he is called the Offensive Weapons Officer.

That station has changed a lot from my days in the Buff.
Click to expand...

There are two WSOs, both of whom are dual trained to work either the Offensive Systems Officer or Defensive Systems officer's seat. Unlike the B-52, computers have automated and antiquated many roles the B-52 crewmen still perform, such as:

1. Manually spinning up generators with a hand crank
2. shovelling coal
3. reading the tides and coastal winds for approaches
4. Feeding the birds that nest in the aircraft
5. Lighting the wick on bombs
6. Rolling down the window and throwing bombs
7. winching the landing gear down
8. Laying out strings of crab pots
9. Manning the fog horn in low visibility conditions
10. crawling to the extremeties to light up nav/anti-collision lights
 
I could never man those WSO seats in the BUFF, I gotta have more daylight when I fly. :icon_lol: In the old P2V's we had a few windows here and there (including the large side windows back at the ordnance stations), astro-hatch up forward and a skylight window back aft where the gun turret used to be fitted. And at night you could at least get a visual ground ref.
 
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