16.01.2009, 13:18
from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convair_B-36
http://www.cowtown.net/proweb/B36_Home.htm
Design of the XB-36 prototype began at Consolidated Aircraft in San Diego
The original contract for it was let in 1941
In 1941, the fall of Britain to a German invasion seemed imminent. This would have left the United States Army Air Corps (AAC) with no bases in Europe from which to bomb Germany. American bombers would have had to reach Europe from bases in North America, necessitating a combat range of at least 5,700 miles (9,200 km),
The United States Army Air Corps opened up a design competition for the very long-range bomber on 11 April 1941, for a maximum range of 10,000 miles (16,000 km), an effective combat radius of 4,000 miles (6,400 km) with a 10,000 pound bombload, a cruising speed between 240 and 300 mph (480 km/h), and a service ceiling of 40,000 ft
The XB-36 flew for the first time in August 1946. The first production version of the B-36 took to the air approximately one year later.
The Peacemaker was the first true intercontinental bomber, with a maximum payload of 86,000 pounds and a maximum range of more than 6,800 miles, unrefueled. Flights of over 24 hours weren't unusual, and the B-36 set several world records
The wings of the B-36 were large even when compared with present-day aircraft, exceeding, for example, those of the C-5 Galaxy, and enabled the B-36 to carry enough fuel to fly very long missions without refueling. The wing area permitted cruising altitudes above the operating ceiling of 1940s-era fighters, jet as well as piston. All versions of the B-36 could cruise at over 40,000 ft (12,000 m) B-36 mission logs commonly recorded mock attacks against U.S. cities while flying at 49,000. In 1954, the turrets and other nonessential equipment were removed, resulting in a "featherweight" configuration believed to have resulted in a top speed of 423 mph (700 km/h),[14] and cruise at 50,000 ft (15,000 m) and dash at over 55,000ft (16,800M), perhaps even higher
Production totaled 385 aircraft. The final aircraft - B-36J #52-2827A, now undergoing restoration at Lockheed Fort Worth Company - was delivered on August 11, 1954. The last B-36 was retired from active service on February 12, 1959
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convair_B-36
http://www.cowtown.net/proweb/B36_Home.htm
Design of the XB-36 prototype began at Consolidated Aircraft in San Diego
The original contract for it was let in 1941
In 1941, the fall of Britain to a German invasion seemed imminent. This would have left the United States Army Air Corps (AAC) with no bases in Europe from which to bomb Germany. American bombers would have had to reach Europe from bases in North America, necessitating a combat range of at least 5,700 miles (9,200 km),
The United States Army Air Corps opened up a design competition for the very long-range bomber on 11 April 1941, for a maximum range of 10,000 miles (16,000 km), an effective combat radius of 4,000 miles (6,400 km) with a 10,000 pound bombload, a cruising speed between 240 and 300 mph (480 km/h), and a service ceiling of 40,000 ft
The XB-36 flew for the first time in August 1946. The first production version of the B-36 took to the air approximately one year later.
The Peacemaker was the first true intercontinental bomber, with a maximum payload of 86,000 pounds and a maximum range of more than 6,800 miles, unrefueled. Flights of over 24 hours weren't unusual, and the B-36 set several world records
The wings of the B-36 were large even when compared with present-day aircraft, exceeding, for example, those of the C-5 Galaxy, and enabled the B-36 to carry enough fuel to fly very long missions without refueling. The wing area permitted cruising altitudes above the operating ceiling of 1940s-era fighters, jet as well as piston. All versions of the B-36 could cruise at over 40,000 ft (12,000 m) B-36 mission logs commonly recorded mock attacks against U.S. cities while flying at 49,000. In 1954, the turrets and other nonessential equipment were removed, resulting in a "featherweight" configuration believed to have resulted in a top speed of 423 mph (700 km/h),[14] and cruise at 50,000 ft (15,000 m) and dash at over 55,000ft (16,800M), perhaps even higher
Production totaled 385 aircraft. The final aircraft - B-36J #52-2827A, now undergoing restoration at Lockheed Fort Worth Company - was delivered on August 11, 1954. The last B-36 was retired from active service on February 12, 1959