USAF B-36 Peacemaker Bomber DVD
The Convair B-36 Peacemaker Bomber is a strategic bomber operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) from 1949 to 1959. The B36 bomber is the largest bomber ever built. Also, the B36 wingspan was the longest wingspan of any combat aircraft ever built, at 230 feet.
The B-36 Peacemaker never saw combat because its primary role was not to engage directly in warfare but to serve as a powerful deterrent. Its immense size, range, and nuclear capability sent a clear signal to potential adversaries that any aggressive actions would be met with overwhelming retaliation. This made the prospect of war less appealing, contributing significantly to maintaining global peace during its era.
The development and service of the B-36 Peacemaker came with its fair share of challenges. Being larger than any other aircraft of its time, it even overshadowed the B-29 Superfortress. This immense size brought significant hurdles in terms of weight and complexity. Engineers and technicians had to tackle various technical problems stemming from these aspects.
First flown in August 1946, the XB-36 was a groundbreaking aircraft as the largest and heaviest to take to the skies at that point. However, it faced a protracted development period. It took two additional years to finalize its design. During this time, multiple issues were identified and addressed to ensure the aircraft could meet operational standards.
When the B-36 started service with the Strategic Air Command (SAC) in 1948, it was not without lingering difficulties. These included technical and logistical challenges, which delayed its full operational capability until 1951. Despite these obstacles, the B-36 ultimately became a key component of the U.S. Military's strategic capabilities.
Surviving examples of the B-36 Peacemaker are rare, with only four intact airframes remaining from the original 385 produced. You can find one at the Castle Air Museum in Atwater, California. Another is displayed at the Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum in Ashland, Nebraska. The last B-36 constructed is part of the collection at the Pima Air and Space Museum, located next to Davis–Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona.
The B-36 Peacemaker inspired a civilian aircraft concept. Convair planned to create a commercial passenger jet, known as the Convair Model 37, leveraging the design elements of the military bomber. This proposed aircraft was designed to share the same wings and certain structural components with the B-36.
In 1949, Convair completed a prototype of the civilian aircraft model for US Air Force purposes, known as the XC-99. This aircraft was meant to carry up to 400 fully equipped soldiers on its double cargo decks or 100,000 lb of cargo. The XC-99 was used extensively for cargo purposes during the Korean War but was retired in 1957. This aircraft still exists and is now part of the collection at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Prior to this, it was stored for several years at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Currently, the prototype awaits funding to undergo restoration.
The model garnered attention from Pan American Airways due to its potential for transatlantic flights, resulting in a provisional order for 15 units. However, the high fuel and oil consumption associated with its six-engine configuration posed significant economic challenges. These inefficiencies made the aircraft unappealing in terms of cost-effectiveness for airlines.
Ultimately, without sufficient financial viability and substantial orders to justify mass production, the project was discontinued in 1949.
The B36 engine scheme was six radial propeller engines mounted in a pusher configuration. This was the B-36b bomber configuration, of which 73 were built.
Later, two B-36 jet engines were mounted on each wing for a total of 10 engines. This was the B-36d configuration, of which a total of 86 were either built or converted from B-36b aircraft. The ten engines led to the slogan "six turning and four burning".
The B-36 bomber crew consisted of fifteen: pilot, copilot, radar operator/bombardier, navigator, flight engineer, two radiomen, three forward gunners, and five rear gunners.
The B-36 cockpit was pressurized as was the rear compartment which contained six bunks, a dining galley and the rear turret. Access to the rear compartment was via a pressurized tunnel from the forward compartment.
DVD Contents
1st Film; "The Cold War". A USAF story about how the Air Force was to defend against and fight a potential nuclear war with Russia. This led to the formation of SAC (Strategic Air Command) and the development of the amazing B-36 Peacemaker bomber. Run time is about 15 minutes.
2nd Film: "SAC and the B-36". This film explains the need for the SAC to fly around the clock with B-47s, B-52s and the B-36. Also, it shows what it's like to fly on a B-36 mission at night for 13 hours. Very rare film. Run time is about 19 minutes.
3rd Film; "One Plane; One Bomb". During WW2, Germany had an idea to bomb America from European bases. After the war, Russia copied the B-29 for that goal, so the USAF decided to see if a bomber could fly from Europe to America with a bomb load. Run time is about 22 minutes.
4th Film; "B-36 Crew Escape Training". In the event of a B36 plane ditching, the USAF trained the crew on how to bailout and survive in enemy territory. Run time is about 19 minutes.
5th Film; "B-36 Radar Bombing". This film is about B-36 bomber training to bomb by using radar. Run time is about 7 minutes.
6th Film; "B-36 Peacemaker Newsreels". A collection of newsreels on the largest bomber ever built. 1. Development of the B-36. 2nd. New ten engine B-36 bomber. 3rd. The Big Bombing. 4th. B-36 and a Parasite F-84. 5th. B-36 new cargo plane YC-99 6th B-60, the all Jet version of the B-36 bomber. Run time is about 11 minutes.
Total runtime for the B-36 bomber DVD is about 93 minutes. Format for the B-36 video is NTSC DVD and region-free.
