At a Sep 1956 airshow in Oakland, CA one of these did two low-level s-n runway passes. The first was with all engines running, and (after a wide turn over SF Bay) the next was with just the jet engines (no thundering drone that time). When they were at high altitudes you could always identify one by the "extra" contrails that it left vs a B-29, etc.
it was the biggest plane i ever saw, we used to guard these babies in our pickups i was so impressed i get goose bumps even now, the sound of those engines were one of a kind, if any of you saw jimmy stewart in the movie he was a full col. at that time, the engineer was played by the late harry morgan fro mash thank god we had that ace in the hole
True, the 50s & 60s were a golden age of prosperity and hope. Hope of the power of science and technology to help solve some of the vexing problems of mankind and hope in the collective wisdom of organizations like the UN to solve conflicts without war. You could sees this optimistic hope in the eyes of children and in the literature and creative arts of the time. It is profoundly disappointing to see how far short of those lofty goals we've fallen.
Seems like a golden age doesn't it? World beating manufacturing, standard of living improving noticeably for the average man every year and the warm afterglow of freeing the world from tyranny...
what a beast, did this thing ever see combat? I know the dawn of the jet age deemed it inadequate but im curious if it ever saw action.
BeLikeWater1000 20 hours ago
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The B-36 never dropped a bomb in anger. It was not used during the Korean War. It may have been used from a recon standpoint during the Korean War, but I don't know for sure.
How can something be beautiful and ugly at the same time? I love this bomber and think it is one of the all time classics. However, did you ever see a more somber, dark sight than one of these babies?
@Psyche777able , I lived in St. Louis, Mo. I was in grade school at the time. I think you could feel (especially if the props were even a little off sink) that great ship before you could actually hear it! I will never forget that plane, and I wish I could hear it just one more time...
168 cylinders @ 155.7 cu.in. each, 336 sparkplugs, 27 miles of wires, gas tube analog computers. Flying it was one thing but maintenance had to be another!! Read somewhere was 15 grand an hour in 1952 dollars to fly. It did live up to its name and never fired a shot at an enemy.
its so awsome, they did fail to mention that the tail was 5 stories tall! i got that from a book called 100 years of aviation. but that bomber is so freaking cool
I was surprised to learn that this particular manufacturing facility was in Ft. Worth, Texas, as most or all of Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation's (AKA Convair) operations were in San Diego.
@kmg501 : Yes! 6 turning and 4 burning! Props behind the wings instead of in front. Each piston engine was the largest and most sophisticated ever made. The Jets were switched on just before takeoff & landing, and were turned off when cruising, except for dash speed over a nuclear target or if pursued by fighters. Jets on (off) it flew at 400 (240) mph.
At a Sep 1956 airshow in Oakland, CA one of these did two low-level s-n runway passes. The first was with all engines running, and (after a wide turn over SF Bay) the next was with just the jet engines (no thundering drone that time). When they were at high altitudes you could always identify one by the "extra" contrails that it left vs a B-29, etc.
wa5iyx 1 week ago
woah, i never knew it had turrets!
alexander1485 1 week ago
What documentary is this?
TheDazachman 3 weeks ago
it was the biggest plane i ever saw, we used to guard these babies in our pickups i was so impressed i get goose bumps even now, the sound of those engines were one of a kind, if any of you saw jimmy stewart in the movie he was a full col. at that time, the engineer was played by the late harry morgan fro mash thank god we had that ace in the hole
nimo1934 4 weeks ago
They could deliver a world of hurt, love the B models without the jet pods!
2007Colonial 1 month ago
I have a question about it: was the jet engines used only for takeoff extra thrust?
Thanks for sharing this video.
maurirossi 2 months ago
It's amazing that general Arnold had the foresight to order this plane in l941.
safetychoice 2 months ago
True, the 50s & 60s were a golden age of prosperity and hope. Hope of the power of science and technology to help solve some of the vexing problems of mankind and hope in the collective wisdom of organizations like the UN to solve conflicts without war. You could sees this optimistic hope in the eyes of children and in the literature and creative arts of the time. It is profoundly disappointing to see how far short of those lofty goals we've fallen.
videomaniac108 6 months ago 8
@videomaniac108 I would vote thumbs up on your comment, but I can't seem to make myself do it. I DO agree with you 100% though.
JTLaser1 5 months ago
Seems like a golden age doesn't it? World beating manufacturing, standard of living improving noticeably for the average man every year and the warm afterglow of freeing the world from tyranny...
Oh how things have changed :(
zekezero12345 7 months ago
what a beast, did this thing ever see combat? I know the dawn of the jet age deemed it inadequate but im curious if it ever saw action.
BeLikeWater1000 20 hours ago
==============
The B-36 never dropped a bomb in anger. It was not used during the Korean War. It may have been used from a recon standpoint during the Korean War, but I don't know for sure.
GSMSfromFV 8 months ago
what a beast, did this thing ever see combat? I know the dawn of the jet age deemed it inadequate but im curious if it ever saw action.
BeLikeWater1000 8 months ago
How can something be beautiful and ugly at the same time? I love this bomber and think it is one of the all time classics. However, did you ever see a more somber, dark sight than one of these babies?
stellarblue51 8 months ago
Glad I got to see these fly when I was little from Travis AFB. You could hear those
engines from 10 miles away. It just cleared the hills around my house,and the house
shook as it flew over. A great part of history i am glad to see. Loved those air shows
back then.
Psyche777able 1 year ago
@Psyche777able , I lived in St. Louis, Mo. I was in grade school at the time. I think you could feel (especially if the props were even a little off sink) that great ship before you could actually hear it! I will never forget that plane, and I wish I could hear it just one more time...
cojdth 10 months ago 2
wow, that is interesting that it's gun turret can sink back into the hull, I guess that is to reduce drag during flight.
A very impressieve plane.
Dreachon 1 year ago
168 cylinders @ 155.7 cu.in. each, 336 sparkplugs, 27 miles of wires, gas tube analog computers. Flying it was one thing but maintenance had to be another!! Read somewhere was 15 grand an hour in 1952 dollars to fly. It did live up to its name and never fired a shot at an enemy.
speedskiff2 1 year ago
This beahemoth is the SHIT. And I thought the Tupolev Tu-95 was bad ass! Look at this monster!!!
lacrooseandshredgnar 1 year ago
0:09 Are those B-32's off to the right?
Contrajoe 1 year ago
Impressive bird indeed.
berzerken 1 year ago
its so awsome, they did fail to mention that the tail was 5 stories tall! i got that from a book called 100 years of aviation. but that bomber is so freaking cool
emerychandler 1 year ago
Amazing design!
I was surprised to learn that this particular manufacturing facility was in Ft. Worth, Texas, as most or all of Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation's (AKA Convair) operations were in San Diego.
L33tP1ckL 1 year ago
Wow, that is one funky bird. Props and jets? :O
kmg501 1 year ago
@kmg501 : Yes! 6 turning and 4 burning! Props behind the wings instead of in front. Each piston engine was the largest and most sophisticated ever made. The Jets were switched on just before takeoff & landing, and were turned off when cruising, except for dash speed over a nuclear target or if pursued by fighters. Jets on (off) it flew at 400 (240) mph.
alnot01 1 year ago
@alnot01
Thanks! Interesting info.
Cheers
kmg501 1 year ago