Rocket Science

[GAHorn]

More like the real thing than I realized.
One of the program managers at work was on the investigation team (director of it I believe) of the B-52 accident that occurred a couple of years ago, where a B52, in preparation for an airshow, rolled sharply and went down killing all aboard.

[hilltop170]

I had seen a previous video featuring that B-52 model. There were actually eight gas turbines on it. It flew and looked just like the real thing. Too bad they lost it.

It went down just like the real thing also. When there's no lift, ie 90° bank angle with neutral elevator, spoilers don't work.

[GAHorn]

The situation with the one that went down in the steep bank was not due to no lift. (Lift still exists in a bank, of course. And spoilers work anyway.)
According to my friend at work (one of the officers of the squadron) the B52 was to perform a steep wingover and low pass at an airshow.
The pilot's crew had complained about what they perceived as his reckless flying habits and protested. Therefore the crew's commanders felt it was their duty to relieve the crew of the obligation and they crewed the airplane themselves (although I understand, with some apprehensions). Nonetheless, it was considered above their call of duty to do so by all that knew them.
The cause of the accident was determined to be the un-coordinated steep turn that the pilot executed, caused the fuel (in an un-baffled wing) to run towards the tip of the wing. The huge fuel imbalance was too much for the spoilers roll-authority and the roll continued past the vertical and the crash was inevitable at that point.
The officers who had relieved their subordinates were considered heros by their cohorts.

[doug8082a]

Re: the model. It was impressive. Here's another video. Gives you a good idea of its size. At altitude, you can't tell the diference between it and the real thing.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fbITzCI2AU0