Convair B-36A Peacemaker

The Convair B-36 Peacemaker was a strategic bomber built by Convair and operated solely by the United States Air Force (USAF). The B-36 was the largest mass-produced piston engined aircraft ever made and the biggest wingspan combat aircraft ever built, although there have been larger military transports. The B-36 was the first bomber capable of delivering thermonuclear weapons from within a fully-enclosed bomb-bay. With a range of over 6,000 miles (9,700 km) and a maximum payload of at least 72,000 lb (33,000 kg), the B-36 was the first operational bomber with an intercontinental range, setting the standard for subsequent USAF long range bombers, such as the B-52 Stratofortress, B-1 Lancer, and B-2 Spirit.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• B-36
• Peacemaker
• SAC
• Strategic
• Air
• Command
• Convair
• Cold
• War
• bomber

[thepollywog1]

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.

[Petemonster62]

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.

[sailordiver2007]

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.

[cmreel]

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."

[cajunhornet60]

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

[pottersrevenge]

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.