@ USAF United States Air Force

Boeing NB-52A Stratofortress

- MSN : 16493

- ENG : 8 Pratt & Whitney J57-P-9W turbojets

- REG : 52-0003

- RMK : named "The High and Mighty One"

@ History Aircraft :

# 1954 : Constructed as a B-52A-1-BO by Boeing at Seattle, Washington USA

( This is the third of only three A model B-52s built )

# 1954 : Delivered & Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 52-0003 - Only three of the "A" model Stratofortresses were built and all served solely as test aircraft for both Boeing and the Air Force

# 1960s : It is a converted NB-52A that was used by the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB California as the X-15 Launch Aircraft

# 15.OCT.1969 : Transferred to 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center ( AMARC ) Tucson with inventory number BC108

# 19?? : Tsfd to "Pima Air and Space Museum" Davis-Monthan AFB Tucson AZ

"This is the oldest B-52 remaining in existence"

GWA's BC108 loaded coal from Bulga to Kooragang rolls into East Maitland on the 23/10/18 with triple XRN's on the front, while a Hunter set heads out bound for Telarah.

Video available at: youtu.be/b6Dm4lK5XFs

CEY002 CEY007 CEY006 guide their coal from the mine to hexham holding point passing east maitland

So this is a clone of the old Interfax Harmonic Percolator. I used a board from Fuzz Dog's Pedal Parts in the UK. I built this pedal using a vintage BC108 with an hFE of 284 for the silicon transistor and a vintage Tesla 104NU71 with an hFE of 60 for the germanium transistor.

It's...odd. Sometimes strange and splatty. Sometimes furry and warm. Switching out the diode clipping makes it even more obviously quirky. It's a very unusual fuzz pedal.

Boeing NB-52A "Stratofortress" - "The High and the Mighty One" 52-0003 "Balls 3"

History:

Constructed as a B-52A-1-BO by Boeing at Seattle, Washington, USA.

This is the third of only three A model B-52s built.

1954: 30 September, - Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 52-0003.

1955: December, - Converted to a JB-52A.

1957: October, - Converted to a NB-52A.

1957: 29 November, - Arrived at Plant 42 in Palmdale from Boeing, moved into the North American hangar for modifications.

1958: 4 February, - Begin modified for launching X-15s

1958: 14 November, - Modifications completed at Palmdale, 52-003 was flown to Edwards Air Force Base.

Markings Applied: 0003, U.S. AIR FORCE

1969: 15 October, - Transferred to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC) with inventory number BC108.

To National Museum of the United States Air Force Loan Program, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.

1981: August, - Loaned to Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, AZ.

1981: August, - Placed on display with Pima Air and Space Museum, Davis-Monthan AFB (South Side), Tucson, AZ.

This is the oldest B-52 remaining in existence.

This is the BC108 build. The AC128 looks practically the same. Repro Fuzz Face PCB courtesy of Andy Mackie

Close-up of the Fuzz Face PCB with BC108 silicon NPN transistors

BC108 on the left, AC128 on the right

My home built Fuzz Face clones - one with AC128 germanium transistors, the other with BC108 silicon transistors. Both are nice

Inside 108 on duty. Not much headroom inside!

Rob Garland, Ajax, Ontario

Bristol Lodekka FLF6G - 229195

Eastern Coach Works - 14954

H-/-F (originally H38/32F)

Ex-Lynda Sally, Ottawa, Ontario (c.4/97)

Ex-Lynda Sally-Moir and Ron Moir t/a London Deli, Ottawa, Ontario (by 6/86)

Believed to have operated as a refreshment vehicle in Alberta

Reported as exported to U.S.A. (8/82)

Ensign (dealer), Grays, Essex (8/80)

New to Eastern National 2844 (MVX 881C)

Taunton Road, Courtice, Ontario

5 May 2010

(c) Paul A. Bateson

BC 108 on stand by at a duty in the summer

A slightly retro design in the opening manner is seen here on the rear of 108.

Rear of Land Rover defender ambulance DX 54 XER which is an MMB bodied vehicle. This is in service with St John Ambulance (north Yorkshire and Teesside) as call sign BC 108. The rear doors do not have the word "ambulance" applied to them.

BC 108, my favourite ambulance of the county! 2004 Land Rover Defender/Macclesfield Motor Bodies (M.M.B.) ambulance. This ambulance was purcahsed for off road duties and for towing first aid posts about.

The one-transistor buffer circuits for RS-232 transmit (top left) and receive (centre). Also some yellow header pins and a jumper to connect the RS-232 input to the 6850 ACIA.

Boeing NB-52A "Stratofortress" - "The High and the Mighty One" 52-0003 "Balls 3"

History:

Constructed as a B-52A-1-BO by Boeing at Seattle, Washington, USA.

This is the third of only three A model B-52s built.

1954: 30 September, - Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 52-0003.

1955: December, - Converted to a JB-52A.

1957: October, - Converted to a NB-52A.

1957: 29 November, - Arrived at Plant 42 in Palmdale from Boeing, moved into the North American hangar for modifications.

1958: 4 February, - Begin modified for launching X-15s

1958: 14 November, - Modifications completed at Palmdale, 52-003 was flown to Edwards Air Force Base.

Markings Applied: 0003, U.S. AIR FORCE

1969: 15 October, - Transferred to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC) with inventory number BC108.

To National Museum of the United States Air Force Loan Program, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.

1981: August, - Loaned to Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, AZ.

1981: August, - Placed on display with Pima Air and Space Museum, Davis-Monthan AFB (South Side), Tucson, AZ.

This is the oldest B-52 remaining in existence.

Boeing NB-52A "Stratofortress" - "The High and the Mighty One" 52-0003 "Balls 3"

History:

Constructed as a B-52A-1-BO by Boeing at Seattle, Washington, USA.

This is the third of only three A model B-52s built.

1954: 30 September, - Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 52-0003.

1955: December, - Converted to a JB-52A.

1957: October, - Converted to a NB-52A.

1957: 29 November, - Arrived at Plant 42 in Palmdale from Boeing, moved into the North American hangar for modifications.

1958: 4 February, - Begin modified for launching X-15s

1958: 14 November, - Modifications completed at Palmdale, 52-003 was flown to Edwards Air Force Base.

Markings Applied: 0003, U.S. AIR FORCE

1969: 15 October, - Transferred to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC) with inventory number BC108.

To National Museum of the United States Air Force Loan Program, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.

1981: August, - Loaned to Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, AZ.

1981: August, - Placed on display with Pima Air and Space Museum, Davis-Monthan AFB (South Side), Tucson, AZ.

This is the oldest B-52 remaining in existence.

Boeing NB-52A "Stratofortress" - "The High and the Mighty One" 52-0003 "Balls 3"

History:

Constructed as a B-52A-1-BO by Boeing at Seattle, Washington, USA.

This is the third of only three A model B-52s built.

1954: 30 September, - Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 52-0003.

1955: December, - Converted to a JB-52A.

1957: October, - Converted to a NB-52A.

1957: 29 November, - Arrived at Plant 42 in Palmdale from Boeing, moved into the North American hangar for modifications.

1958: 4 February, - Begin modified for launching X-15s

1958: 14 November, - Modifications completed at Palmdale, 52-003 was flown to Edwards Air Force Base.

Markings Applied: 0003, U.S. AIR FORCE

1969: 15 October, - Transferred to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC) with inventory number BC108.

To National Museum of the United States Air Force Loan Program, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.

1981: August, - Loaned to Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, AZ.

1981: August, - Placed on display with Pima Air and Space Museum, Davis-Monthan AFB (South Side), Tucson, AZ.

This is the oldest B-52 remaining in existence.

Because transistors are generally fairly inexpensive, I've been trying out a few here and there to see what may work better in these fuzz circuits. Some amazing trannies showed up today.

Usually stuff shows up and it turns out that the spec sheet didn't characterize the transistor very well. Because a lot of their spec sheets are nutty. They'll say that the hFE of a given silicon transistor will be no lower than 200 and no higher than 900. Which is a pretty huge range. Then they show up and they're all 830 or so, which is useless unless you're setting up a long-distance exchange in 1961.

Anyway, some beautiful transistors here. First off, the Superstar, seen in the analyzer. Germanium 2N527 transistors in the giant old TO-5, "Top Hat" encapsulation. These were a buck each. The AC128 transistors I've been using in everything set me back about three times that much and ranged from 35 to about 80 hFE with two outliers that were above 100. These 2N527 transistors are all in the 130 hFE range. They ranged from 131 to 138. So extremely consistent and very high-gain. This is one amazing transistor. When I can afford it, I'm going to stock up on some of these.

Behind the analyzer is a bag of BC108 NPN silicon transistors. These were 50 cents each. I haven't tested all of them, but they seem to be in the mid-200 range. 238, 249 and 251 were the first three I tested. Should make a nice pair for various silicon builds.

Finally, a simply excellent silicon off to the right of the analyzer. These 2N2222A NPN transistors were 28 cents each. They're all under 200 hFE. These may very well be the perfect silicon fuzz transistor or, maybe more importantly (since I've fallen deeply in love with the BC179 PNP trannies for silicon fuzz in Germanium circuits), wah pedal transistors. These may be the perfect un-harsh silicon trannies for a hand-wired wah build. Time will tell.

Boeing NB-52A "Stratofortress" - "The High and the Mighty One" 52-0003 "Balls 3"

History:

Constructed as a B-52A-1-BO by Boeing at Seattle, Washington, USA.

This is the third of only three A model B-52s built.

1954: 30 September, - Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 52-0003.

1955: December, - Converted to a JB-52A.

1957: October, - Converted to a NB-52A.

1957: 29 November, - Arrived at Plant 42 in Palmdale from Boeing, moved into the North American hangar for modifications.

1958: 4 February, - Begin modified for launching X-15s

1958: 14 November, - Modifications completed at Palmdale, 52-003 was flown to Edwards Air Force Base.

Markings Applied: 0003, U.S. AIR FORCE

1969: 15 October, - Transferred to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC) with inventory number BC108.

To National Museum of the United States Air Force Loan Program, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.

1981: August, - Loaned to Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, AZ.

1981: August, - Placed on display with Pima Air and Space Museum, Davis-Monthan AFB (South Side), Tucson, AZ.

This is the oldest B-52 remaining in existence.

A line of 3 St John Ambulance (North Yorkshire and Teesside). Left to right are DX 54 XER Land Rover/M.M.B. (BC 108), HV 02 PFN and V274 FOR Renault Master/VBB Papworth "Crusader 900" (bc 107 and BC 104).

Boeing NB-52A "Stratofortress" - "The High and the Mighty One" 52-0003 "Balls 3"

History:

Constructed as a B-52A-1-BO by Boeing at Seattle, Washington, USA.

This is the third of only three A model B-52s built.

1954: 30 September, - Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 52-0003.

1955: December, - Converted to a JB-52A.

1957: October, - Converted to a NB-52A.

1957: 29 November, - Arrived at Plant 42 in Palmdale from Boeing, moved into the North American hangar for modifications.

1958: 4 February, - Begin modified for launching X-15s

1958: 14 November, - Modifications completed at Palmdale, 52-003 was flown to Edwards Air Force Base.

Markings Applied: 0003, U.S. AIR FORCE

1969: 15 October, - Transferred to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC) with inventory number BC108.

To National Museum of the United States Air Force Loan Program, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.

1981: August, - Loaned to Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, AZ.

1981: August, - Placed on display with Pima Air and Space Museum, Davis-Monthan AFB (South Side), Tucson, AZ.

This is the oldest B-52 remaining in existence.

Boeing NB-52A "Stratofortress" - "The High and the Mighty One" 52-0003 "Balls 3"

History:

Constructed as a B-52A-1-BO by Boeing at Seattle, Washington, USA.

This is the third of only three A model B-52s built.

1954: 30 September, - Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 52-0003.

1955: December, - Converted to a JB-52A.

1957: October, - Converted to a NB-52A.

1957: 29 November, - Arrived at Plant 42 in Palmdale from Boeing, moved into the North American hangar for modifications.

1958: 4 February, - Begin modified for launching X-15s

1958: 14 November, - Modifications completed at Palmdale, 52-003 was flown to Edwards Air Force Base.

Markings Applied: 0003, U.S. AIR FORCE

1969: 15 October, - Transferred to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC) with inventory number BC108.

To National Museum of the United States Air Force Loan Program, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.

1981: August, - Loaned to Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, AZ.

1981: August, - Placed on display with Pima Air and Space Museum, Davis-Monthan AFB (South Side), Tucson, AZ.

This is the oldest B-52 remaining in existence.

Boeing NB-52A "Stratofortress" - "The High and the Mighty One" 52-0003 "Balls 3"

History:

Constructed as a B-52A-1-BO by Boeing at Seattle, Washington, USA.

This is the third of only three A model B-52s built.

1954: 30 September, - Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 52-0003.

1955: December, - Converted to a JB-52A.

1957: October, - Converted to a NB-52A.

1957: 29 November, - Arrived at Plant 42 in Palmdale from Boeing, moved into the North American hangar for modifications.

1958: 4 February, - Begin modified for launching X-15s

1958: 14 November, - Modifications completed at Palmdale, 52-003 was flown to Edwards Air Force Base.

Markings Applied: 0003, U.S. AIR FORCE

1969: 15 October, - Transferred to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC) with inventory number BC108.

To National Museum of the United States Air Force Loan Program, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.

1981: August, - Loaned to Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, AZ.

1981: August, - Placed on display with Pima Air and Space Museum, Davis-Monthan AFB (South Side), Tucson, AZ.

This is the oldest B-52 remaining in existence.

Boeing NB-52A "Stratofortress" - "The High and the Mighty One" 52-0003 "Balls 3"

History:

Constructed as a B-52A-1-BO by Boeing at Seattle, Washington, USA.

This is the third of only three A model B-52s built.

1954: 30 September, - Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 52-0003.

1955: December, - Converted to a JB-52A.

1957: October, - Converted to a NB-52A.

1957: 29 November, - Arrived at Plant 42 in Palmdale from Boeing, moved into the North American hangar for modifications.

1958: 4 February, - Begin modified for launching X-15s

1958: 14 November, - Modifications completed at Palmdale, 52-003 was flown to Edwards Air Force Base.

Markings Applied: 0003, U.S. AIR FORCE

1969: 15 October, - Transferred to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC) with inventory number BC108.

To National Museum of the United States Air Force Loan Program, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.

1981: August, - Loaned to Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, AZ.

1981: August, - Placed on display with Pima Air and Space Museum, Davis-Monthan AFB (South Side), Tucson, AZ.

This is the oldest B-52 remaining in existence.

One of the reasons why a Land Rover was taken on by NY&T St John was to be used for towing a first aid post. Preperations for duty were being made when this was taken.

The setting sun shows the angular bodywork up. This ambulance is specially used for all off road events where the Renualt fleet would struggle to get around.

Boeing NB-52A "Stratofortress" - "The High and the Mighty One" 52-0003 "Balls 3"

History:

Constructed as a B-52A-1-BO by Boeing at Seattle, Washington, USA.

This is the third of only three A model B-52s built.

1954: 30 September, - Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 52-0003.

1955: December, - Converted to a JB-52A.

1957: October, - Converted to a NB-52A.

1957: 29 November, - Arrived at Plant 42 in Palmdale from Boeing, moved into the North American hangar for modifications.

1958: 4 February, - Begin modified for launching X-15s

1958: 14 November, - Modifications completed at Palmdale, 52-003 was flown to Edwards Air Force Base.

Markings Applied: 0003, U.S. AIR FORCE

1969: 15 October, - Transferred to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC) with inventory number BC108.

To National Museum of the United States Air Force Loan Program, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.

1981: August, - Loaned to Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, AZ.

1981: August, - Placed on display with Pima Air and Space Museum, Davis-Monthan AFB (South Side), Tucson, AZ.

This is the oldest B-52 remaining in existence.

Boeing NB-52A "Stratofortress" - "The High and the Mighty One" 52-0003 "Balls 3"

History:

Constructed as a B-52A-1-BO by Boeing at Seattle, Washington, USA.

This is the third of only three A model B-52s built.

1954: 30 September, - Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 52-0003.

1955: December, - Converted to a JB-52A.

1957: October, - Converted to a NB-52A.

1957: 29 November, - Arrived at Plant 42 in Palmdale from Boeing, moved into the North American hangar for modifications.

1958: 4 February, - Begin modified for launching X-15s

1958: 14 November, - Modifications completed at Palmdale, 52-003 was flown to Edwards Air Force Base.

Markings Applied: 0003, U.S. AIR FORCE

1969: 15 October, - Transferred to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC) with inventory number BC108.

To National Museum of the United States Air Force Loan Program, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.

1981: August, - Loaned to Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, AZ.

1981: August, - Placed on display with Pima Air and Space Museum, Davis-Monthan AFB (South Side), Tucson, AZ.

This is the oldest B-52 remaining in existence.

Boeing NB-52A "Stratofortress" - "The High and the Mighty One" 52-0003 "Balls 3"

History:

Constructed as a B-52A-1-BO by Boeing at Seattle, Washington, USA.

This is the third of only three A model B-52s built.

1954: 30 September, - Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 52-0003.

1955: December, - Converted to a JB-52A.

1957: October, - Converted to a NB-52A.

1957: 29 November, - Arrived at Plant 42 in Palmdale from Boeing, moved into the North American hangar for modifications.

1958: 4 February, - Begin modified for launching X-15s

1958: 14 November, - Modifications completed at Palmdale, 52-003 was flown to Edwards Air Force Base.

Markings Applied: 0003, U.S. AIR FORCE

1969: 15 October, - Transferred to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC) with inventory number BC108.

To National Museum of the United States Air Force Loan Program, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.

1981: August, - Loaned to Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, AZ.

1981: August, - Placed on display with Pima Air and Space Museum, Davis-Monthan AFB (South Side), Tucson, AZ.

This is the oldest B-52 remaining in existence.

Cigar Band Pink Polka dot Green Chevron Bottle Cap Images Alpha A-Z ©TicTacTogs

These are vintage BC108 silicon transistors. The same source where I picked up the AC130 transistors was selling a box of 1000 of these. I just bit the bullet and bought those, too. Again, even if there are a lot of bad ones, it will still be a deal. I actually expect a lot less bad ones, though. Silicon transistors tend to be much more consistent and have a much longer service life.

These are a good silicon transistor, IMO. They don't have insanely high gain, although they do tend to be slightly over 200 hFE. But not 300 or 500 or 800 like a lot of silicon transistors. It's hard to build a pedal where the sound of the guitar doesn't get lost when you have SO much gain in each stage. It's actually one of the big reasons people hated the switch to silicon in fuzz pedals and boosters in the late 60's and early 70's. I think it was as much about how the gain ramped up and made the pedals sound like a chainsaw as much as it was about the particular tone of germanium vs. silicon.

Between these two transistor purchases, I hope to cover a lot of my transistor needs in the coming year. Although obviously stuff like the coming Maestro phaser won't care one way or the other, since that's some JFET madness. Still...

BTW, now that I have all these AC130 and BC108 transistors, I guess I need to do a hybrid pedal called an AC/BC Fuzz. I know, I know...heh...

This is a clone of the old silicon Mosrite Fuzzrite pedal. I wanted to do it mainly because of Pino Rucher's tone on, 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,' but also because of Iron Butterfly.

I've been told that the magic happens with 80-90 hFE in Q1 and 60 hFE or so in Q2. The idea being that the second transistor has less output than the first. So I put a vintage BC108 in Q1 and a very nice gold-pin 2N3724 in Q2.

It really does sound like that thing. Kind of harsh and trebly and not very friendly. Run it into some spring reverb to get that Spaghetti Western mojo going.

I'm not the first to try this, but I found little info online so I had to come up with my own.

The Fuzzface side should be faithful to modern silicon Fuzzfaces as it is practically a clone, using even the same bc108 transistors.

The Tonebender side is much angrier and louder. I do not know how similar it is to a Tonebender, but other than the transistor it is MK2 specs. It is a cool flavour in its own right and still cleans up with the guitar volume, so it's good enough for me. R4 is crucial in making silicon transistors work in Q1. Tonebender diagrams are usually for germanium transistors that don't need R4 at all. That caused me a lot of mental pain and a bunch of burnt components...

Q1 collector voltage is adjustable by internal trim pot. Diagrams call for 10K, but for me that was sputtering too much. Adjust to taste.

Q2 collector voltage makes little to no difference as a trim pot, so fixed 33k is enough.

Q3 collector is best as an external control. It's fun to mess with for that starved sound, but also important in switching between the two circuits. Fuzzface likes it at 4.5V, Tonebender likes it at over 8V.

I've seen different values for C8 between the two, going up to 104, but I was out of room on the switch so I kept a common value of the less bassy 103.

Oh, and it has all the bells and whistles, like true bypass, battery or cable supply, LED indicator, reverse voltage protection and pop elimination .

It should also work with C1815 transistors, common in asian-made electronics, but you may want to install treble cut capacitors (smaller than 101) across collector and base on some of the transistors (values and number according to taste).

Fuzz con Tr de silicio BC 108

1919 Folding Brownie

Featuring Andy's clean wiring, carbon comp resistors, quality caps, and socketed BC108 and BC109 transistors

Colorsound One Knob Fuzz built by Andy Mackie. It's not just OK, it's bloody fantastic

Fuzz con Tr BC108

Crate of most of my fuzzes. This is about half of the collection.

52-0003 / 0-20003 / BC108

cn 16493

Mfd in 1953

Retired at AMARC on 15.10.1969

To Pima on 16.09.1981

So this is a clone of the old Interfax Harmonic Percolator. I used a board from Fuzz Dog's Pedal Parts in the UK. I built this pedal using a BC108 with an hFE of 284 for the silicon transistor and a Tesla 104NU71 with an hFE of 60 for the germanium transistor.

It's...odd. Sometimes strange and splatty. Sometimes furry and warm. Switching out the diode clipping makes it even more obviously quirky. It's a very unusual fuzz pedal.

So here's my other Sunday night project. A clone of the old Mosrite Fuzzrite pedal. I wanted to do it mainly because of Pino Rucher's tone on, 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,' but also because of Iron Butterfly.

I've been told that the magic happens with 80-90 hFE in Q1 and 60 hFE or so in Q2. The idea being that the second transistor has less output than the first. So I put a vintage BC108 in Q1 and a very nice gold-pin 2N3724 in Q2.

It really does sound like that thing. Kind of harsh and trebly and not very friendly. I need to run it into some reverb to get my Spaghetti Western mojo going.