Davies, Peter E./Laurier, Jim (Illustr.)/Hector, Gareth (Illustr.) B-36 "Peacemaker" Units of the Cold War

A fully illustrated study into the extraordinary Convair B-36 during the Cold War.
Conceived during 1941 in case Germany occupied Britain, when US bombers would then have insufficient range to retaliate, the B-36 was to be primarily a '10,000-mile bomber' with heavy defensive armament, six engines and a performance that would prevent interception by fighters. Although rapid developments in jet engine and high-speed airframe technology quickly made it obsolescent, the B-36 took part in many important nuclear test programmes. The aircraft also provided the US nuclear deterrent until the faster B-52 became available in 1955. It was one of the first aircraft to use substantial amounts of magnesium in its structure, leading to the bomber's 'Magnesium Overcast' nickname. It earned many superlatives due to the size and complexity of its structure, which used 27 miles of wiring, had a wingspan longer than the Wright brothers' first flight, equivalent engine power to 400 cars, the same internal capacity as three five-room houses and 27,000 gallons of internal fuel - enough to propel a car around the world 18 times. Much was made of the fact that the wing was deep enough to allow engineers to enter it and maintain the engines in flight. B-36s continued in the bomber and reconnaissance role until their retirement in February 1959 following 11 years in SAC. Convair employees were invited to suggest names for the giant aircraft, eliciting suggestions such as 'King Kong Bomber', 'Condor', 'Texan' and 'Unbelievable', but the most popular was 'Peacemaker'. Oddly, objections from religious groups deterred the USAF from ever adopting it officially.
This fully illustrated volume includes first-hand accounts, original photographs and up to 30 profile artworks depicting in detail the complexity of this superlative aircraft.

The aircraft also served as a US nuclear deterrent until the faster B-52 became available in 1955. The B-36 was one of the first aircraft to use significant amounts of magnesium in its structure, earning the bomber the nickname "Magnesium Overcast". Due to the size and complexity of its structure, the aircraft combined various superlatives - 27 miles of cable, a longer wingspan than the Wright brothers' first flight, an engine power equivalent to that of 400 cars, an interior volume equivalent to three five-bedroom houses, and a fuel capacity of 27,000 gallons - enough to take a car around the world 18 times. The fact that the wing was so low that engineers could walk on it and service the engines in flight was particularly emphasised. The B-36 was used as a bomber and reconnaissance aircraft until its retirement in February 1959, after 11 years with the SAC. Convair employees were asked to suggest names for the huge aircraft, with suggestions including "King Kong Bomber", "Condor", "Texan" and "Unbelievable", but the most popular was "Peacemaker". Strangely, objections from religious groups kept the USAF from ever officially adopting the name. This fully illustrated volume contains first-hand accounts, original photographs and up to 30 profile drawings detailing the complexities of this superlative aircraft.