Convair B-36 Peacemaker

B-36 #2

INTRODUCTION

The Convair B-36 Peacemaker first flew in August 1946.  Convair produced 384 of the aircraft.  The B-36 was intended to be a stopgap between the B-29 Superfortress until the all-jet B-47 came into service in 1951 and in 1955 the Boeing B-52.

The design plans began as early as 1941, prior to the Pearl Harbor attack in Hawaii.  There was serious thought that England might fall to the Nazi “Blitz” and the U.S. military felt that it would be imperative to have a long-range bomber to hit Germany from the United States should Britain fall.

Due to so many higher priorities during the war amongst the services, that the B-36 was not ordered until 23 July 1943.  Where 100 aircraft were purchased at $4.1 million.      Continue reading “Convair B-36 Peacemaker”