Convair B-36 Peacemaker 3-view plans

In the early postwar years, few weapons were as indicative of America's might as Convair's B-36 Peacemaker, which was first flown in August 1946. This "superbomber" had been started even before Pearl Harbor as a type that could operate against German-held Europe or Japanese positions in the Pacific without the need for forward basing, and although wartime priority was given to the B-29, the Peacemaker was ready just as postwar requirements dicated a large, long-range bomber able to carry nuclear weapons to Soviet targets.

The twnty-two B-36As delivered to SAC starting in 1948 were really training aircraft, but did have features that would be used by production models, including a revised canopy for better visibility. All of these would later be reworked as RB-36Es. True operational capability with the Peacemaker began when the 7th BW began receiving its B-36Bs. These had more powerful engines and grossed out at 328,000lbs, more than 31 tons heavier than the prototype.

In order to keep the Peacemaker viable until a heavy jet bomber became available, convair flew a B-36B demostrator with twin J35 (later J47) jet pods outboard of the Wasp Major piston engines. This was successful, and led to the refitting of 64 B-36Bs to this standard, and the procurement of 22 new-build B-36Ds. Convair followed the B-36D with 26 B-36Fs, 81 B-36Hs, and 33 B-36Js. By the time that the J-model was introduced, the Peacemaker's effectivness was declining, and to further boost the aircraft's performance the last aircraft off the line were delivered in the Featherweight III configuration that kept only the tail turret, as well as eliminating "crew comfort" provisions.

from patent files

B-29 Superfortress Units in Korea

Convair XB-46 plans

Classic Aviation Ads

B-36 bibliography & suggested reading:

Magazine Articles and Photos:

[Photo: "Convair XB-36H and B-50 Escort Plane"]   Aviation Week August 6, 1956 p.149

[Photo: "USAF's Flying Nuclear Reactor"]   AW August 13, 1956 p.31

Newspaper Articles and Photos:

"Bombers 'Attack' The White House"   New York Times January 21, 1949 p.2 c.2

"B-36 Sets Record, Flies 9,600 Miles"   New York Times March 13, 1949 p.1 c.7+ 1 photo

"One Killed in B-36 Crash"   New York Times September 16, 1949 p.29 c.3

"B-36 With 17 Lost Off West Canada"   New York Times February 15, 1950 p.14

"All 17 In B-36 Crash Alive, 10 Picked Up; 8 Die In Rescue Try"   New York Times February 16, 1950 p.1 c.4+

"B-36 Crashes; 9 Dead"   New York Times December 12, 1953 p.14 c.2

"Fire Wrecks Big Bomber"   New York Times February 28, 1954 p.50 c.5

"First B-36 to Be Retired"   New York Times June 9, 1955 p.17 c.5