Los Banos Rotary Club History
C. A. Base Officers Tell of New Planes

Tow officers of the Castle Air Force Base near Merced Major Gordon Brownlee, director of academic training and Captain Lloyd Haymes, adjutant of 4017th training squadron, described to Los Banos Rotarians Tuesday the basic functions of Castle Base and the features of the B-52, 8-engine jet planes, that are now being moved into the base.

"We are part of the 15th Air Force Heavy Bombardment organization," Major Brownlee said. "The 15th maintains a long range striking force capable of retaliating against an attack by any enemy. We at Castle also function as an academic training and flight training center for personnel to handle the new B-52."

This new plane carries a jet type engine with total horse power of 100,000. It weighs 390,000 pounds, is 156 feet 6 inches front to back and has a wing spread of 185 feet. The rudder of the B-52 is 4 stories high. The plane has a fuel carrying capacity equivalent to three railroad tank cars. Its range is over 6,000 miles, although through air refueling the range has no limitations. The ceiling is 9 miles and the cruising speed is 600 mph.

August 26, 1955

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