Yhe YB-49 was unstable in flight. Flying wing designs had to wait for computer aided flight controls before they were safe to fly. I saw one of these B-36's fly by when I was about 10 years old. I described it to my father ( a WWII C46-47 pilot) and he said I was lying there could never be such a plane. When it flew by it looked like it was in slow motion. An unforgetable sight.
Bob in Louisiana; the B36, B52, & other SAC bombers in the 1950s were intended to fly at a higher altitude than the Soviet fighters were capable of. When the Soviets developed higher altitude fighters & surface-to-air missiles; the ground-hugging strategy was developed instead.
This was a WW-II design that became operational too late to be used. Had the atomic bombs not been developed, the B-36 was destined for combat across either Atlantic or Pacific oceans. After WW-II the uses for the B-36 were debated and both jet and rocket technology advanced. Within 15 years, the X-15 was taking pilots into space at at 3,500 MPH. The B-36 was a giant wonder that proved the possibilities for size, distance and payloads, but not speed.
YB-49 should have won the contract. This Bomber should have never made it. Thanks to politics stealth will have to wait another 30 years to be "discovered."
Yhe YB-49 was unstable in flight. Flying wing designs had to wait for computer aided flight controls before they were safe to fly. I saw one of these B-36's fly by when I was about 10 years old. I described it to my father ( a WWII C46-47 pilot) and he said I was lying there could never be such a plane. When it flew by it looked like it was in slow motion. An unforgetable sight.
thepollywog1 1 month ago
Bob in Louisiana; the B36, B52, & other SAC bombers in the 1950s were intended to fly at a higher altitude than the Soviet fighters were capable of. When the Soviets developed higher altitude fighters & surface-to-air missiles; the ground-hugging strategy was developed instead.
Petemonster62 8 months ago
This was a WW-II design that became operational too late to be used. Had the atomic bombs not been developed, the B-36 was destined for combat across either Atlantic or Pacific oceans. After WW-II the uses for the B-36 were debated and both jet and rocket technology advanced. Within 15 years, the X-15 was taking pilots into space at at 3,500 MPH. The B-36 was a giant wonder that proved the possibilities for size, distance and payloads, but not speed.
sailordiver2007 2 years ago
YB-49 should have won the contract. This Bomber should have never made it. Thanks to politics stealth will have to wait another 30 years to be "discovered."
cmreel 2 years ago
If we had ever gone to war flying the B-36; I have no reservations; the crews would have been slaughtered; it was a slow sitting duck.
Bob in Louisiana
Vietnam Vet 1968-69
cajunhornet60 2 years ago
Such a beautiful Bomber, it's a pity that they are no longer used. It would make for a bad day to have one with a full payload knocking at your door.
pottersrevenge 3 years ago