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Convair B-36
The B-36, an intercontinental bomber,
was designed during WW II. The airplane made its maiden flight on August
8, 1946 and on June 26, 1948 the Strategic Air Command received its first
B-36 for operational use. By August 1954, when production ended, more than
380 B-36s had been built for the USAF.
In 1958-59, the B-36 was replaced by the
more modern B-52. During the years it was in service, the airplane was one
of America's major deterrents to aggression by a potential enemy. The fact
that the B-36 was never used in combat was indicative of its value in
"keeping the peace."
SPECIFICATIONS
Span: 230 ft.
Length: 162 ft. 1 in.
Height: 46 ft. 9 in.
Weight: 410,000 lbs. loaded
Armament: Sixteen M24 20mm cannons in eight nose, tail and fuselage
turrets; plus bombs--nuclear or 86,000 lbs. of conventional
Engines: Six Pratt & Whitney R-4360s of 3,800 hp. ea. and four
General Electric J-47s of 5,200 lbs. thrust ea.
Cost: $3,701,000
Serial number: 52-2220
PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 435 mph.
Cruising speed: 230 mph.
Range: 10,000 miles
Service Ceiling: 45,700 ft.
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