The site was originally was built in 1940 as a replacement civilian airport after the existing Orlando Municipal Airport was taken over by the Army Air Corps. However, in 1942, the new civilian airport was also taken over by the now-renamed Army Air Force and in January 1943, it was renamed as Pinecastle Army Airfield.

Pinecastle was initially selected in early 1946 as the site where Bell Aircraft Corporation would test its X-1 supersonic aircraft because of the area's then-remote location.  However, by March 1946, the X-1 program was relocated to Muroc (now Edwards) in California which was deemed more suitable for such an experimental aircraft.

In May 1958 Pinecastle AFB was renamed McCoy Air Force Base and it was used by Stratedic Air Command with B-52 and KC-135 aircraft based there.  It was a major site for U-2 aircraft during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 with at least 80 reconnisance flights duringWhen McCoy's closure as an active air force installation in 1975, the site was redeveloped and is known today as Orlando International Airport

When McCoy closed as an active air force installation it reverted to what it had been intended to be back in 1940 and became Orlando International Airport.

Following the closure the B-52 Memorial Park was set up just off the airport containing a retired B-52D Stratofortress, 56-0687, that was at one time based at McCoy.  While it might seem impossible to hide anything as big as a B-52 they managed it and finding the park is a little tricky.

Below are some pictures I took after I found it.