AMARC - Fighter "Boneyard"
Discussion
This is the bit that amazes me:
It's like a blast from the past - talking of reducing "Strategic arms" and "The Russians" I had always assumed that we would have reached a point where only missiles were left!
(Must have been fun using a great big
off blade to cut up a plane though!)
Phil
AMARC site said:
AMARC is designated to accomplish the much greater task of eliminating approximately 365 B-52 aircraft during a three and a half year period to comply with the conditions of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). This was formerly accomplished using a 13,000-pound guillotine blade and Linkbelt crane with slip clutch that allows the guillotine blade to free fall, thereby severing the flight control surfaces and the fuselage and predetermined points. A “surgical” method of elimination is now performed utilizing K-12 rescue saws to cut the outer skin of the aircraft, saving parts for future use on the B-52H-model aircraft. The Russians will again visit AMARC to confirm the elimination process.
It's like a blast from the past - talking of reducing "Strategic arms" and "The Russians" I had always assumed that we would have reached a point where only missiles were left!
(Must have been fun using a great big
off blade to cut up a plane though!) Phil
Mannginger said:
(Must have been fun using a great big
Phil
My last few months in the RAF were spent cutting up Nimrod AEW aircraft, they were brand new straight from Marshall’s in Cambridge.
We used explosives to cut the wings and undercarriage off after stripping them of everything that could be used on the MR nimrod (not much).
Great fun if you could get past the monumental waste of money.
I did 5 but there were going to be over 12 in the end I think.
AMARC is virtually all US Military. Civil airliners are stored at a number of different locations such as Marana Air Park or Mojave Airport (where Bert Rutan runs his amazing projects).
The number of aircraft stored at Davis Monthan is relatively low at the moment. The peak era was 1975 to 1977, following the rundown after the Vietnam War. At that time there were literally hundreds of B-52s stored there, mostly D and F models not to mention thousands of helicopters. A mate of mine visted there in 1974 and the pictures he took were amazing.
>> Edited by Eric Mc on Friday 14th October 08:27
The number of aircraft stored at Davis Monthan is relatively low at the moment. The peak era was 1975 to 1977, following the rundown after the Vietnam War. At that time there were literally hundreds of B-52s stored there, mostly D and F models not to mention thousands of helicopters. A mate of mine visted there in 1974 and the pictures he took were amazing.
>> Edited by Eric Mc on Friday 14th October 08:27
Visited AMARC about 10 years ago and flew over it in a Cessna about 6-7 years ago, absolutely mindboggling, the amount of aircraft there, would definately reccomend a visit if you get the chance
There is also a fantastic museum just outside the base, Pima Air and Space museum, some fantastic aircraft there
>> Edited by knight on Friday 14th October 10:53
There is also a fantastic museum just outside the base, Pima Air and Space museum, some fantastic aircraft there
>> Edited by knight on Friday 14th October 10:53
). I just thort that those who didn't know but be interested... 
Eric Mc said:
Where did the Russians chop up their planes - and can they be seen on Google Earth?
I am genuinely interested in finding out.
The Russians never had that many servicable aircraft anyway and most of the older bear models are long gone. Only the later manufactured Tu-95s and the few Tu-160s are all they have as far as aircraft are concerned. The main problem with the soviets are their ICBMs and SLBMs you can probably see the old subs rusting away in various ports, but the US is heavily subsidising the removal of most of the ICBMs and has inspection teams to make sure its being done. You can find out where they are based in the article below (not current but close enough). I have no idea what they did with their old aircraft though.
This is probably worth a look though, search for russian jets or russian bombers and you get some interesting results.
www.googleearthhacks.com/downloads/search.php
www.thebulletin.org/article_nn.php?art_ofn=ja03norris
thebulletin said:
Strategic aviation. Russian strategic bombers include 79 aircraft of three types: 15 Tu-160 Blackjacks, 34 Tu-95 MS6 Bear H6s, and 30 Tu-95 MS16 Bear H16s. Strategic bombers are part of the Russian Air Force's 37th Air Army. According to the January 31, 2003 START I Treaty MOU, Bear bombers are deployed at the following airbases: 14 H16s at Ukrainka in Siberia (79th Heavy Guard Bomber Regiment), 13 at Engels (121st Heavy Bomber Regiment), and three at Ryazan; 26 H-6s at Ukrainka, five at Engels, and three at Ryazan.
Russian strategic aircraft carry AS-15A/B air-launched cruise missiles (ALCMs), AS-16 short-range attack missiles (SRAMs), and/or nuclear bombs. Combined, the 79 aircraft are assigned an estimated 864 cruise missiles and bombs. Each Blackjack can carry as many as 12 AS-15B ALCMs or AS-16 SRAMs and bombs. The Bear H16 carries as many as 16 AS-15A ALCMs and bombs, while the Bear H6 can carry as many as six AS-15A ALCMs and bombs. For more than a decade, Russia has been developing a nuclear variant of a new cruise missile, similar to the U.S. advanced cruise missile, but with a prop engine, for Blackjack and Bear bombers. In January 2002, the missile was reported to be in final stages of development. Russia may convert some ALCMs to non-nuclear missiles, as the United States has done. Flight tests of converted ALCMs have taken place.
Fifteen Blackjacks are based at Engels airbase. Eight were transferred to Russia from Ukraine in late 1999 and early 2000 in exchange for partial payment of Ukrainian natural gas debts. These bombers' operational status has been unclear due to needed repairs. In March 2002, air force commander in chief Vladimir Mikhailov announced that all 15 Tu-160s would undergo modernization of avionics, communication equipment, and weapon systems. The modernization will extend their service lives and allow them to carry "new types of missiles with conventional and nuclear warheads." In addition, three partially built Blackjacks were scheduled to be completed by 2003 and added to the force.
In April 2002, strategic bombers participated in a large-scale exercise with aircraft operating out of Engels, Ukrainka, and Ryazan air bases, as well as from several forward operating bases. The strategic aircraft included Tu-95 MS Bears and also tactical Tu-22 M3 Backfire bombers. As many as 20 aircraft were reported to be in the air simultaneously in what was described as the largest exercise in 10 years. Operations took place over the entire Russian territory, the Arctic, and the Sea of Japan. Japanese fighters intercepted bombers over the Sea of Japan, and two Bear bombers flew within 37 miles of U.S. airspace, where U.S. fighters intercepted them. Similar operations took place in February 2001.
Two other exercises were held in February 2002. One, in Russia's southwestern region, included two Tu-95 MS Bear bombers conducting simulated cruise missile and bomb strikes on targets in Astrakhan oblast and the Leningrad district. The other, in the Caspian Sea region, involved strategic Tu-160 Blackjacks, Tu-95 MS Bears, and tactical Tu-22 M3 Backfire aircraft conducting simulated missile launches on the Ashuluk and Vladimirovka ranges.
Eric Mc said:
Where did the Russians chop up their planes - and can they be seen on Google Earth?
I am genuinely interested in finding out.
Been having a quick hunt about.
The Russian ones were decomissioned at Engels, Russia
There are a few airbases in that town but I assume it was this one due to the larger runway and remote parking area; doesn't seem to be anything visible.
The bombers that remained in Ukraine are mentioned here but these were all gone by 2002 and the airbases look pretty empty (e.g. Poltava; or even redeveloped in some cases.
I'm sure there are satellite photos somewhere, in the mid-90s when the destruction was done under 'US supervision' but in today's world I wonder if the demand for the raw materials was too much to leave the airframes just sitting about?
>> Edited by john_p on Friday 14th October 12:21
john_p said:
Where did the Russians chop up their planes - and can they be seen on Google Earth?
I am genuinely interested in finding out.
Been having a quick hunt about.
The Russian ones were decomissioned at Engels, Russia
There are a few airbases in that town but I assume it was this one due to the larger runway and remote parking area; doesn't seem to be anything visible.
The bombers that remained in Ukraine are mentioned here but these were all gone by 2002 and the airbases look pretty empty (e.g. Poltava; or even redeveloped in some cases.
I'm sure there are satellite photos somewhere, in the mid-90s when the destruction was done under 'US supervision' but in today's world I wonder if the demand for the raw materials was too much to leave the airframes just sitting about?
>> Edited by john_p on Friday 14th October 12:21
Probably went to feed China's resource hunger
willmcc said:
(Must have been fun using a great big
Phil
My last few months in the RAF were spent cutting up Nimrod AEW aircraft, they were brand new straight from Marshall’s in Cambridge.
We used explosives to cut the wings and undercarriage off after stripping them of everything that could be used on the MR nimrod (not much).
Great fun if you could get past the monumental waste of money.
I did 5 but there were going to be over 12 in the end I think.
i doubt they were from marshalls, as far as i'm aware they've never done any work on nimrods.
i thought most of the nimrod work was done at BAE woodford in manchester.
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