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New page: The '''B-36 Peacemaker''' was an American strategic nuclear bomber. Until the debut of the B-52 Stratofortress and ICBMs, it was the [[United States Air Force|Ai...
The '''B-36 Peacemaker''' was an [[United States|American]] strategic nuclear bomber. Until the debut of the [[B-52 Stratofortress]] and [[ICBM]]s, it was the [[United States Air Force|Air Force]]s primary deterrent.
==Development==
In the early 1940s, the Air Force was in the market for a long-range strategic bomber which would replace the [[B-17 Flying Fortress]]. The prototype bomber first flew in 1946.
The B-36 was massive. Its wingspan was 230 feet, and it was 46 feet high. It had a range of 10,000 [[mile]]s and could carry 43 tons of conventional or nuclear bombs. The maximum takeoff weight was 410,000 pounds.
The aircraft went into service in 1951.
==Service==
388 B-36 bombers were built altogether, but they were never used in combat (hence the name "Peacemaker."
The bombers were phased out in 1958-1959 in favor of the smaller, less expensive [[B-52]] (each B-36 cost over 3 million dollars.) Only a few still survive.
[[Category: Aircraft]]
==Development==
In the early 1940s, the Air Force was in the market for a long-range strategic bomber which would replace the [[B-17 Flying Fortress]]. The prototype bomber first flew in 1946.
The B-36 was massive. Its wingspan was 230 feet, and it was 46 feet high. It had a range of 10,000 [[mile]]s and could carry 43 tons of conventional or nuclear bombs. The maximum takeoff weight was 410,000 pounds.
The aircraft went into service in 1951.
==Service==
388 B-36 bombers were built altogether, but they were never used in combat (hence the name "Peacemaker."
The bombers were phased out in 1958-1959 in favor of the smaller, less expensive [[B-52]] (each B-36 cost over 3 million dollars.) Only a few still survive.
[[Category: Aircraft]]