B-36 Peacemaker | Convair's massive American strategic bomber | Upscaled video
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- Опубликовано: 13 сен 2022
- The Convair B-36 "Peacemaker" is a strategic bomber that was built by Convair and operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) from 1949 to 1959. The B-36 is the largest mass-produced piston-engined aircraft ever built. It had the longest wingspan of any combat aircraft ever built, at 230 ft (70 m). The B-36 was the first bomber capable of delivering any of the nuclear weapons in the U.S. arsenal from inside its four bomb bays without aircraft modifications. With a range of 10,000 mi (16,000 km) and a maximum payload of 87,200 lb (39,600 kg), the B-36 was capable of intercontinental flight without refuelling.
Entering service in 1948, the B-36 was the primary nuclear weapons delivery vehicle of Strategic Air Command (SAC) until it was replaced by the jet-powered Boeing B-52 Stratofortress beginning in 1955. All but four aircraft have been scrapped.
The genesis of the B-36 can be traced to early 1941, prior to the entry of the United States into World War II. At the time, the threat existed that Britain might fall to the German "Blitz", making a strategic bombing effort by the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) against Germany impossible with the aircraft of the time.
The United States would need a new class of bomber that would reach Europe and return to bases in North America,necessitating a combat range of at least 5,700 miles (9,200 km), the length of a Gander, Newfoundland-Berlin round trip. The USAAC therefore sought a bomber of truly intercontinental range,similar to the German Reichsluftfahrtministerium's (RLM) ultralong-range Amerikabomber program, the subject of a 33-page proposal submitted to Reichsmarschall Hermann Goering on 12 May 1942.
The USAAC sent out the initial request on 11 April 1941, asking for a 450 mph (720 km/h) top speed, a 275 mph (443 km/h) cruising speed, a service ceiling of 45,000 ft (14,000 m)-beyond the range of ground-based anti-aircraft fire-and a maximum range of 12,000 miles (19,000 km) at 25,000 ft (7,600 m). These requirements proved too demanding for any short-term design, far exceeding the technology of the day, so on 19 August 1941, they were reduced to a maximum range of 10,000 mi (16,000 km), an effective combat radius of 4,000 mi (6,400 km) with a 10,000 lb (4,500 kg) bombload, a cruising speed between 240 and 300 mph (390 and 480 km/h), and a service ceiling of 40,000 ft (12,000 m)-above the maximum effective altitude of Nazi Germany's anti-aircraft guns, save for the rarely deployed 12.8 cm FlaK 40 heavy flak cannon.
As the Pacific war progressed, the USAAF increasingly needed a bomber capable of reaching Japan from its bases in Hawaii, and the development of the B-36 resumed in earnest. Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, in discussions with high-ranking officers of the USAAF, decided to waive normal army procurement procedures, and on 23 July 1943 - some 15 months after the Germans' Amerikabomber proposal's submission made it to their RLM authority, and coincidentally, the same day that, in Germany, the RLM had ordered the Heinkel firm to design a six-engined version of their own, BMW 801E powered Amerikabomber design proposal - the USAAF submitted a "letter of intent" to Convair, ordering an initial production run of 100 B-36s before the completion and testing of the two prototypes. The first delivery was due in August 1945, and the last in October 1946, but Consolidated (by this time renamed Convair after its 1943 merger with Vultee Aircraft) delayed delivery. The aircraft was unveiled on 20 August 1945 (three months after V-E Day), and flew for the first time on 8 August 1946.
General characteristics
Crew: 13
Length: 162 ft 1 in (49.40 m)
Wingspan: 230 ft 0 in (70.10 m)
Height: 46 ft 9 in (14.25 m)
Wing area: 4,772 sq ft (443.3 m2)
Airfoil: root: NACA 63(420)-422; tip: NACA 63(420)-517
Empty weight: 166,165 lb (75,371 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 410,000 lb (185,973 kg)
Powerplant: 6 × Pratt & Whitney R-4360-53 Wasp Major 28-cylinder 4-row air-cooled radial piston engines, 3,800 hp (2,800 kW) each for take-off
Powerplant: 4 × General Electric J47 turbojet engines, 5,200 lbf (23 kN) thrust each in pylon mounted pods outboard of piston engines
Propellers: 3-bladed Curtiss Electric constant-speed fully-feathering pusher propellers
Performance
Maximum speed: 435 mph (700 km/h, 378 kn)
Cruise speed: 230 mph (370 km/h, 200 kn)
Combat range: 3,985 mi (6,413 km, 3,463 nmi)
Ferry range: 10,000 mi (16,000 km, 8,700 nmi)
Service ceiling: 43,600 ft (13,300 m)
Rate of climb: 1,995 ft/min (10.13 m/s)
Armament
Guns: 1 remotely operated tail turret with 2× 20 mm (0.787 in) M24A1 autocannon
Bombs: 86,000 lb (39,009 kg) with weight restrictions, 72,000 lb (32,659 kg) normal
#peacemaker #b36 #bomber 
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Click the link to watch more aircraft, heroes and their stories, missions: ruclips.net/p/PLBI4gRjPKfnNx3Mp4xzYTtVARDWEr6nrT
My father was based in Alaska and service those aircraft. Apparently they were a maintenance nightmare. He said everybody enjoyed the b-52's when they came into service. The only real problem the Air Force had with the b-52's is when they took off when the whole group took off it took forever where the air to clear over the base.
We grew up under a flight path of these monsters and we've all developed respiratory illnesses and diseases it's a real thing
Ne@@charlesroyka
I have never forgotten the sound for this aircraft, it vibrates the ground even when it’s at high altitude. I was 12 years old and heard them before I could find flying over. This was in South East Texas, Bessmay 1955.
She used the second largest propellers ever fitted to any airplane
I would love to have experienced that! Sadly, they were taken out of service 7 years before I was born.
I grew up about 55 mi. E of San Antonio. These giants could actually be felt vibrating the ground when flying overhead, but seldom seen due to haze and clouds above. A cargp airplane, the XC-99, was based on the B-36. I could actually see them flying overhead. I'm not sure if more than one of those was ever built. It actually flew out of Kelly AFB, in San Antonio. That base was a major supply and maintenance center, known to the AF Logistics Command as an "Air Materiel Area. It was one of 6 AMAs in the US. The XC-99 usually carried large items between the AMAs. Years later, the XC-99 was a derelict, sitting at the W. end of Kelly AFB. It was supposedly later moved to the Fort Worth area, where it and the B-36s were built; with a partial restoration planned. This blog was originated by my late wife, Judy, so her name will appear as the writer, but it was me, former Lt Col Melvin Hoskins, USAF Res. who wrote this.
The B-36s used to "bomb" the city I lived in regularly.
You would hear them overhead and look up and there they were, looking like they were standing still. The B-36s were very slow and would have been sitting ducks for even the early jet fighters. The US Navy said they would have been completely useless. Without fighter escort, the B-36s would have been dead meat, and the jet fighters of that day didn't have the range to escort them to their target.
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The USAF was trying to keep a secret from the Russians on how many B-36 were built. So, they moved them from base to base to possibly confuse the Russians....But then a member of congress stated in a speech " Why do we need 350 of these stupid things?"
I have never witnessed such diverse aircraft footage post war and pre as I have here. Of aircraft not well known. I am impressed.
Thank you DB
My dad worked at Convair in the 60s n 70s. We lived in South Ft Worth. They flew over every day. The sound was unforgettable.
Sorry to rain on your parade but the 36 was retired in 1959 none were flying in the 60s or 70s
False memory.
Back in '64, while attending USAF's Aircraft Instrument Repairman course, on the way to class, our flight would march past a B-36 on display every morning .... what an awesome sight. Great video and great story well told.
Thank,you 👍🙏
Sounds like Chanute AFB IL. Went through welding school April 1976 -July 1976
@@russvoight1167Yes, it was at Chanute.
Worked on a special dock to service, four of of us to one engine, never got tired of watching take off .my time in sac was in the 50s. Wonderful engineering, powerful power, have gone to Dayton OH couple of times, Air Force museum, beautiful place. Engines 4360s.
It was good to see that you included the B-32, most people don't even know of it's existence.
"Its"...
@@PauloPereira-jj4jv Thanks for not arresting me, grammar police....
Apostrophe police here. Can't show my badge on RUclips comments, but he's right.
Believe it or not, there's actually one that flies out of Casa Grande AZ. I've seen it a few times and it's pretty impressive.
@@UAL012 I believe that would be the B-17 Sentimental Journey, the Commemorative Air Force has it based in the area. There are no airworthy B-36's, and no B-32's survived.
It was my great pleasure to know and befriend an airforce retiree who was a crewman on RB 36's. He told me of missions that lasted up to several days. He was still sworn to secrecy about the nature or targets of their missions. He was a great guy who served during the 50's through the 80's.
Was he stationed at Ellsworth AFB, SD?
The Featherweight series of RB-36 aircraft were excellent ELINT and SIGINT platforms.
@@russvoight1167 I honestly don't know.
I was there from August 1976 to December 1979, there is a good chance he was there as the 28th Bomb Wing was assigned the RB-36 mission in the 1950's
The English language, used correctly, does not put apostrophes in plurals . . . . just sayin'.
Six turning and four burning 🔥
Marvelous piece of engineering. Never seen the footage of the Hustler, my favorite, transported under her.
I remember so clearly standing in our back yard on Browning Street, San Diego, CA in the 1950's as the B-36's took off from Lindbergh Field and lumbered across Point Loma. It seemed that the entire sky was filled with the giant, barely clearing our neighborhood. The noise was heard and felt in the thorax! Thank you for this comprehensive history of a wonderous aircraft.
Thank you for sharing your memories Donald and thanks for watching
I don’t remember this documentary having such distorted audio when the narrator speaks, but the video is far superior than I’ve seen
I love the cockpit layout in these. All the cool gauges, especially where the flight engineer sits.
Yeah, Daryl, in '64 at Chanute AFB, I was being taught how to maintain all those instruments. Fortunately for me, and I kid you not, I was assigned to the F-105s on Okinawa at Kadena AB. I'll bet that 36 had over a thousand discrete instruments along with their "transmitters" to monitor those engines, etc. It would have been a nightmare unless the instrument shops were well staffed! But, yes, they were definitely cool as long as they didn't have any problems!
Saw one at Wright Patterson Museum - VERY impressive and my most memorable aircraft from the visit!
I saw it there too. Looking at the thing, it just seemed unbelievable that anything that huge could get off the ground.
After a few minor historical glitches I quickly realized what a great collection of photos and films were presented in this video. The XP-85 and FICON videos were amazing, I'd never seen all but a few seconds of the former inflight films before, and no video whatsoever of FICON. I have a small B-36 book collection, and this certainly fleshes some of the missing content out. My only "complaint" is that the defensive armament wasn't more thoroughly covered. Good work.
When I was a kid in the early 50's, we lived in semi-rural California and could hear them coming perhaps 10 minutes before you could see them. Richard Graves was spot on when he said they vibrated the ground with a low pitch vibration.
My dad was a SAC radar navigator bombardier flying B-36s from Mather AFB in California and Fairchild AFB in Washington state.
Very well presented with amazing footage of these iconic aircraft.
It is a very thoughtful and detailed exploration of one of the more interesting aircraft who guarded the United States during the early years of the cold war.
Was in SAC during my USAF career and wouldn't visit the on base museum at Offutt AFB where a Peacemaker was on display. It was, needless to say, enormous!
“Two turning, two burning, two smoking, two choking and two more unaccounted for.”
That's like a city in the air:-)
THE BEST B36 HISTORY EVER !
this is why I subscribed! 👏 👏 👏
I had read an article written by one of the goblin test pilots in that he believed All the issues stemmed from the fact of the turbulence generated by the B29 and fully felt that had the test been done on the peacemaker it would have been a much more successful series of test flights!!! 🤠👍
B-36 has always been one of my favorites. But really: Dogs. Gotta love ‘em.
I was completely unaware of the X 15 and X 19 versions. And I thought the B 17 was the point of reference for the American bomber. I have learned something new this day. Thanks mates
Very well made video, very professional.
My father worked on these while he was in SAC
Very interesting documentary. Thank you.
Thank You for so much cool information about my favorite slightly unknown and under appreciated Peace Keeper !
You are welcome Jim.Thanks for watching and for the kind comment
Another great one! Thanks!
🙏👍♥️
As a B-36 Presenter, I strongly recommend this film...it has all you need to know, in essence, of this extraordinary Cold War aircraft. If you're interested in more detailed gen, check out these major B-36 tomes: 'Magnesium Overcast; the Story of the Convair B-36' by Dennis R. Jenkins...and .....'Convair B-36; a Comprehensive History of America's Big Stick' by Mayers K. Jacobsen...it doesn't end there!.....the bible of the huge P&W engines is: 'R-4360: Pratt & Whitney's Major Miracle' by Graham White ........these books should be in every aviation lover's library for life!...........you need look no further!
Very cool video on the Convair B-36 Peacekeeper intercontinental bomber. Thankyou for sharing. In Alaska, they had two mechanics assigned to each engine on the B-36 to speed up its readiness. The B-36 was commonly referred to as the "magnesium monster" because its airframe is made up mostly of magnesium. Because its made of magnesium, thats the reason why none of them are flying today. My father got to take a ride in a B-36 when he was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in 1956 when he flew the B-52B for SAC as a co-pilot. General Curtiss LeMay came over to inspect his B-52B with a cigar in his mouth. A young airman suggested to the General that he should put his cigar out or it could cause my father's B-52B to blow up. General LeMay looked at the airman and said straight faced, "Son, that airplane knows better than to blow up on me."
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One to carry 2 buckets of spark plugs, the tools. 😆
I was shocked to see how big this plane is compared to the B-29. I thought the B-29 was big..... dwarfed by the B-36. Amazing.
A B3 six is on display at the SAC aerospace Museum on interstate 80 between Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska.
Six turning four burning
Always nice to see jimmy stewart.
He enlisted in the AAC just before it became the AAF, quickly moved up to officer rank, flew multiple missions and remained in the USAF Reserves retiring with the rank of Brigadier. A true American hero!
I saw one of these planes at McConnell AFB in the early 1950's along with many others
Shame there’s not one of these still flying today.
A very very good documentary !
Glad you enjoyed it Maurizio
At 25 minutes into this video, I like it a lot. You did neglect to mention the jet engines were modified to run on av gasoline so two fuel types were not needed. Av gas for the recips and for the jets.
In what respect were they modified to use avgas?
IIRC the prototype B-36 was created and first flown in San Diego, California. Serial production was in Fort Worth, Texas
@@CorrieBergeron …. I’ve seen photos of B-36 flying without jets over San Diego. Labeled as the prototype. They may be mislabeled
A good Hollywood production showcasing this plane, the B-47, and SAC is, “Strategic Air Command” 1955. Starring Jimmie Stewart, who was very much involved in the real thing, the film is effective Cold War propaganda. An air wing is deployed from the states to Japan somewhat self-sufficient - fuel trucks seen loaded on air transport. Intended audience, Soviets.
I remember watching that as a kid and wondering why they got rid the B47 since it was so cool, but I don't even remember the peacemaker. I'll have to rewatch
An interesting note at 8:20 in the video you can see the experimental use of "tracked" landing gear on the B 36.
The original landing gear used tires about 11 feet tall. And those tires put so much weight on a small point of the ground, that there were only a few runways in the whole U.S. that could handle it. Eventually the B 36 used a multiple tired landing gear design, saving both weight and the higher cost of much larger tires.
More like 8 feet according to the video. Still amazing for an aircraft tire!
A good presentation.
Just finished reading Dennis R. Jenkins' book "Magnesium Overcast" on the B-36, what a perfect timing :)
Good video
I have a pic of Grandpa in the sandbox in 1955, with a B 36 in the background. The B36 was involved in the first "Broken Arrow" a term to describe a misadventure with a Nuclear weapon. On Feb 13, 1950, Captain Harold Barry and a crew of 17 took off from Fairbanks, Alaska (Flight 2075), with a planned landing in Montana. The aircraft iced up and began to lose altitude after one of the "six turning" caught fire and was shut down. The crew bailed out over the ocean. Captain Berry reported that the aircraft turned sharply after the crew bailed. Captain Theodore Schreier, the weaponeer, was never found, although 12 of the 17 crew were rescued. It is said that the abandoned B 36 cruised for another 200 miles, veering from it's set course and crashing into the snow on Mount Kologet. There was a rumor that a body was discovered at the crash site. Captain Schreier was a former Airline pilot, with lots of hours in "heavies". Several things bother me about the official story. 1, the B 36 in question had overheating problems on the way to Alaska, 2, How can a heavy aircraft turn and fly 200 more miles with one engine out, and not circle from the asymetrical power. My thoughts, ( after living for awhile in Terrace, BC, ) the nearest town to Mount Kologet, are that Captain Schreier, knew about the deep soft snowfields near Mount Kologet, and volunteered to fly to the snowfields and belly land the aircraft into a snowfield, saving the nuke, sacrificing himself and the aircraft.
Grandpa is pictured with B 36 USAF 215
Auto pilots are engaged before a crew bails out so no one has to sacrifice themselves holding the controls for the sake of everyone else, it is entirely possible for the aircraft to have encountered something that overcame the autopilot momentarily and caused a course change in it, if an engine was on fire anythings possible as far as that goes.
Best theory on the strange flight path. Others make the remaining man into a “Bad Guy” of some kind.
@@franklinnorth7708 That's my Grandpa
Grandpa is part of The War Generation often dubbed The Best Generation n thier children..Like You I'm a direct desendant n Very Proud of Grandpa 👴
Nice job.
That was a pretty decent fire there at the beginning
Back in the early 80s i got to walk in one at the airforce base in fort worth Tx,it's a bird that I'll never forget, the size of her is incredible that she could even get off the ground ♥️ ✈️,if i was rich i would have one because she is beautiful in her own way ✌️♥️🌍✈️
The film footage showing ground personnel gives a good perspective with just how massively large the B-36 was.
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@dronescapes, what happened to the audio?
Like the B-58 Hustler in the 60's the B-36 was obsolete before it entered service.
@ 14:47 is that M.C R D San Diego which probably been the Marine Coros Expeditionary base? We all know it butts up to Lindbergh field.
Never dropped a payload of any type in anger, in this the B36 lived its name as Peacemaker
Was the B 36 only use bringing forward nuclear bomb , if konvensionel bomb in use what was the total payload ? Great video 👌
NICE FOOTAGRE
The Air Force made the right decision picking the B-52 in the end. Of course I’m a bit biased.
I was an ECM operator on the B36 I was 20 years old am now 88
Gotta love that name
The flying wing was Dick Northrop's dream,
The aluminium overcast , 6 turning,4 burning...
B36 never saw a hill or mountain it couldn’t run into. It was underpowered when it first came into service (thus the four burning). It was low and slow, couldn’t get out of its own way. Also prone to engine fires.
I saw a B-36 fly over when I was in grade school. It was so loud it sounded like continuous thunder. Pilots didn't like the plane. They said it was like sitting in your living room and flying your house down the street.
Well that is not exactly true my dad was an air craft commander. Even flew with
General Stewart .
i saw one once when i was a child, it was the biggest thing i ever seen, it was also amplified because of my youth though, but, i will never forget that monster
If this documentary has been made by a youtuber, it's very impressive, you could maybe do with a better mic thou.
The B-36 was able to fly at 50,000 feet
Making interception difficult by the Soviets even under ideal circumstances
Until the Mig-17 showed up
Mig -15 listed at 50,900 feet ceiling..
Some footage of the B-36 concealed 20mm turrets being deployed would be usefull.
That “tube” must have been a rosy pain.
Meant to say “royal pain”.
Pima County Air Meusum in Arizona has a surviving B36 Bomber. This aircraft is as big as imagine and much more. Go take a look if able.
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Massive bomber, saw the original tires that was installed on this plane and would break runways when landing. Had to be retrofitted with multiple smaller tires.
One hell of an expensive camera.
An impressive aircraft but nowhere near the same beauty of some other bombers. Obviously function is more important than looks!
Six truning and four burning!
An 80 foot tunnel to connect two different pressurized crew areas…. that’s wild.
That was awesome trust me .
80 feet of freedom
I had a conversation with a former B36 pilot at an airshow He didnt like it and said nobody did "Thank Christ the B47 came along
before it killed us all". was one comment I recall
wow, and i thought th B47 was lethal!
Aluminum Overcast
the B-24 actually operated three or four thousand feet below a B-17.
39:12 even guard dogs get time off.
At 37:27 and again at 39:15, what the heck was a dog doing, running on the parking ramp? I was at Fairchild AFB Fire Dept for 20 years. Read in the department history of many incidents with the assigned B/RB-36 aircraft, first assigned in 1951.
Sounds like Roger Climson?
Are you sure the B-24 flew higher than the B-17?
Great plane our average mission was 24 hours so it didn't take long to get 2400 hrs that's Howard I had
Many I jad
Umm i think we put the propellers on sdrawkcab
Very Doctor Strangelove.
CARSWELL, FT. Texas
Imagine if this massive airfme was allow to evolve overtime as technology moved forward? Better tail, flight controls, move from reciprocal power plants to variable pitched turboprop, etc etc. The TU95 would have quite the counterpart by NATO and USAF. Well, the B52 is here.
Jack Northrop needn't have worried....his revolutionary concept would set the standard some 60 years later....as the B2 Stealth Bomber.....
The narrator is Aussie, did a Peacemaker ever visit here? If so, which city/ towns did they land in.🇦🇺
Imagine a sky full of them area bombing????
"Some were lost" . . . . no details though - we should be told the price that the crews paid for the concept's success.
cant spring for a better mic
Sad the only surviving B-36 is a non-flying model on display.
There is more than one, Air Force Museum, SAC Museum, Pima Air Museum and Castle AFB Museum
A Nescom 16:50
I have always considered this thing to be a Rube Goldberg contraption that would never rhave made it past any fighter more advanced than a WWI biplane, and still do. This thing was ridiculous and had problems that made the problematic B-29 look like an amazing war machine.
Jack Northrop was way ahead of himself when he designed the Northrop flying wing
SAC is a great doc/movie with Jimmy Stewart..
Didn't they Fly out of CARSWELL BASE?
hate the fuzzy edges!!!!!
You recorded the audio with a mic off speakers😂 it’s terrible
The YB-35 had two major issues. Engine issues. Flight instability. The B-36 itself had severe engine issues. Along with it’s massive size and only a handful of runways being long enough to handle it. The B-35/49 may have been a better choice.
It would seem as though history has vindicated this presumption given the short service life of the 36 and the now still in service B2
@@tgflowers2393 ….. The B-35 had it’s own engine issues. The B-49 wouldn’t have the range the USAF wanted. Then there is could the instability to be overcome. Jack Northrop was certain he had a superior aircraft and was cheated not just for losing a contract. The scrapping of all the prototypes ensured the flying wing couldn’t be revived. How is that to be explained for any other motive? The B-36 was a technology step backward in comparison to the flying wing and the B-47.
None of the flying wings had the range or load capacity to carry the nuclear or thermonuclear devices the b36 could , and far to unstable as a bombing platform in several axis .