A recent photo of a B-52H Stratofortress revealed a unique pattern of vertical ripples on the aircraft’s skin between the cockpit and wing, giving it a papery appearance. These ripples are a common occurrence due to the compressive and pressure loads experienced during flight. Although the rippling is visible on the B-52’s large fuselage, it doesn’t impact the aircraft’s performance, and most people might not notice it, especially in photos taken from a distance or of the entire plane in flight. The lightweight metal skin, present in all aircraft to maintain a lighter weight, is susceptible to such effects.
Author – Varun Vijay
