B-52 Memorial Park facts for kids
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The B-52 Memorial Park is a cool spot right inside the Orlando International Airport. You can find it near runway 18L, just off the Beachline Expressway. This quiet park is looked after by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA). They are the team that manages the whole airport.
The best part of the park is a huge, retired B-52D Stratofortress airplane. This specific plane, with Air Force number 56-0687, was once part of the Strategic Air Command. This was a very important part of the U.S. Air Force during the Cold War. It used to belong to the 306th Bomb Wing at what was once McCoy Air Force Base. This giant bomber was built in 1956. It flew for 28 years before it retired in 1984. Its very last flight was on February 20, 1984. It flew from Carswell AFB in Fort Worth, Texas, to its new home. That home is now the Orlando International Airport.
Discovering the B-52 Park
The B-52 Memorial Park is on Bear Road. You can get there from Tradeport Drive. It's just south of the Beachline/SR 528 Exit 4. It's also close to where the old Orlando Jetport terminal used to be. That was the airport's first main building.
Park Hours and What You'll See
The park is open every day from 7:00 AM until sunset. It's totally free to visit! It's a great place to see a real piece of aviation history up close. Besides the amazing B-52 bomber, the park also has a special memorial. It honors the Airport Authority's K-9 dogs. These are the incredible dogs that help keep the airport safe every day.
About the B-52 Stratofortress
The B-52 Stratofortress is a very famous long-range bomber. It flies using jet engines and was designed by Boeing. The U.S. Air Force has used these planes since the 1950s. They are known for carrying lots of weapons over very long distances. The B-52D model, like the one at the park, was especially important during its time.
