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388 B-36 bombers were built altogether, but they were never used in combat (living up to the name "Peacemaker.")

388 B-36 bombers were built altogether, but they were never used in combat (living up to the name "Peacemaker.")

The B-36 had an excellent safety record, but there were a few crashes.  On February 3, 1950, a B-36 flying a simulated combat mission crashed off western Canada.  The crew bailed out, but five of the crewmen were never recovered, and presumed dead.  The plane's wreckage was later recovered 200 miles away from the bailout point.<ref>http://www.mysteriesofcanada.com/BC/broken_arrow.htm</ref>  It was carrying a simulated nuclear bomb for the mission, but the weapon's payload had been replaced with a lead core.

The B-36 had an excellent safety record, but there were a few crashes.  On February 3, 1950, a B-36 flying a simulated combat mission crashed off western Canada.  The crew bailed out, but five of the crewmen were never recovered, and presumed dead.  The plane's wreckage was later recovered 200 miles away from the bailout point.<ref>http://www.mysteriesofcanada.com/BC/broken_arrow.htm</ref>  It was carrying a Mark 4 nuclear bomb for the mission, a training capsule of lead was inserted (no capsule of nuclear material was on the flight).

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, one of which is an exhibit at the National Museum of the USAF.<ref>http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=360</ref>

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, one of which is an exhibit at the National Museum of the USAF.<ref>http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=360</ref>