CONVAIR B-36 Peacemaker

CONVAIR B-36 The Story of the Peacemaker

If the jumbo jet CONVAIR B-36 "Peacemaker" had been developed a few years earlier, it likely took part in the final battle of World War II (1939-1945). The original design emerged in 1941 from a large intercontinental strategic bomber program of the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) capable of launching from within the United States and delivering a massive bomb payload against European targets - assuming Britain would soon fall to Germany Humanly speaking, there are no viable American allies in Europe.

As a result, work progressed throughout the war years, culminating in the XB-36 prototype, the only completed prototype in the program. The aircraft, which first flew on August 8, 1946, was powered by no less than six Pratt & Whitney R-4360-25 radial piston engines, each producing 3,000 horsepower.

The completed B-36 took on a rather unique shape, as the Cold War bombers did, with a long, tubular fuselage, an all-silver metallic finish, and widened wings. The flight deck is located at the very forward end of the fuselage, behind a short nose cone assembly with heavy glass. The fuselage tapers towards the tail, which is covered with a large vertical tail. The low-lying plane completes the tail structure.

The wing main aircraft is swept back along its leading edge and relatively straight along its trailing edge. The six engines are arranged in a "propeller" configuration, with the propeller assemblies facing aft. The complex landing gear with wheels and retractable landing gear is quite large in size and can support the sheer mass of a large aircraft on the ground.

In terms of size and payload capacity, the B-36 is a monster compared to the classic "heavy" bombers of WWII.

After the XB-36 prototype came a development-oriented YB-36 model with a refined nose section and cockpit. This model became the YB-36A and received a more stable landing gear. This brand later evolved into the reconnaissance aircraft RB-36E, which will be described in detail later. The main production variant became the B-36A, but these were reserved for training purposes and were unarmed.

About twenty-two of this type were completed. The B-36B was the final production weapon with six R-4360-51 radial piston engines, each producing 3,500 hp. Completed 73 brands. RB-36B represents approximately 36 B-36B variants equipped with camera equipment for photo reconnaissance missions.

The defensive armament of the Model B consists of 2 x 20mm guns in the nose, 2 x 20mm guns in the stern and 2 x 20mm guns above the 6 retractable fuselage turrets, for a total of 16 guns. Its bomb load can reach 86,000 pounds, but the total exercise capacity is closer to 72,000 pounds.

Only after the disclosure of the US nuclear program did the peacemakers carry nuclear weapons.

The YB-36C was designed as a derivative of the B-36B, although it was equipped with 6 R-4360-51 series radials, each 4,300 hp. Despite this, the model was not further developed into production form, using the B-36C designation to cover the new B-36B model aircraft.

The B-36D followed this example, but added four General Electric J-47-GE-19 series jets in a pair of underwing pods. 22 are new builds and 64 are converted from existing B-models. The RB-36D is its reconnaissance-focused form, 17 of which are new to the standard, while the B variant has undergone seven modifications.

GRB-36Ds are ten D-types equipped to carry GRF-84F Thunderstreak jet fighters in their bomb bay area for the Parasite Fighter program.

The RB-36E was born from the YB-36A development variant and 21 other B-36A production variants for reconnaissance missions. These ended their days as reconnaissance platforms were upgraded to D-type standards.

The B-36F also followed the D model, but with 6 x R-4360-53 3,800 hp radial piston engines and 4 x J-47-GE-19 production jets. Of these, 34 points have been delivered. The reconnaissance version became 24 of the RB-36F series.

The B-36H introduces a new cockpit and mission equipment, but more or less follows the B-36F model line. The brand completed 83. The NB-36H is a one-off H-type product used in nuclear reactor propulsion testing to produce a nuclear-powered heavy bomber. The RB-36H is a reconnaissance H variant.

The B-36J was introduced as a variant of a high-altitude strategic bomber that brought larger fuel reserves for increased range, strengthened landing gear, and defensive armament for the rear cannon only. 33 of this type have been completed.

The B-36J is 49.4 meters long, with a wingspan of 70 meters and a height of 14.25 meters. It has a curb weight of 166,165 pounds and a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 410,000 pounds. Typical staffing consists of thirteen specialists. Propulsion is provided by six Pratt & Whitney R-4360-53 "Wasp Major" radial piston engines rated at 3,800 hp and assisted by four General Electric J47 turbojets providing an additional 5,200 lbs of thrust. Top speed is 418 mph and cruising speed is 230 mph.

The combat radius is within 3,985 miles and the ferry range is up to 10,000 miles. The B-36J has a service ceiling of 43,600 feet and a rate of climb measured at 1,995 feet per minute.

In addition to an internal bomb load of 72,000 lbs, the Model J carries 2 x 20mm M24A1 cannons in a remotely operated rear turret to protect against rear-end threats.

The B-36 continues to be stored exclusively in US Air Force inventory and has never been exported or used by any other US agency. It became an important part of the Strategic Air Command (SAC) many years after its introduction, while serving the general heavy bomber needs of several bomber squadrons and reconnaissance missions for some other groups.

From 1946 to 1954, 384 aircraft were eventually completed.

This line was eventually scrapped in February 1959, as the B-36 was now officially replaced by the Boeing B-47 "Stratojet" series. Few complete B-36 aircraft exist today as museum displays, and many of them were abandoned decades ago.

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