Thread: B-36 origins
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Old 4th January 2018, 23:41
edwest2 edwest2 is offline
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Re: B-36 origins

The concept of a bomber with intercontinental range was created in 1941 in case England did not survive the Blitz and given further impetus a bit later due to the fact the Germans were developing a similar Amerika Bomber. I have found no code names, just the designation 'Model 36.' It was partly based on the earlier 'Model 35' which had six pusher engines.

1) The Boeing Aircraft Company was invited to bid but was too busy with existing aircraft production, but this was disclosed. Convair was created in 1943 through the merger of Consolidated Aircraft and Vultee Aircraft. This may have given it an edge at the time. Douglas considered the project but decided it could not meet the requirements due to the technology of the time. Northrop offered its XB-35 flying wing which went into development.

2) General "Hap" Arnold awarded a contract to Consolidated Aircraft on 15 November 1941 for two XB-36. On 23 July 1943, the USAAF sent a "Letter of Intent" to Convair for the production of 100 aircraft. A supplemental Letter Contract (W33-038 ac-7) was issued on 23 August 1943. One year later, a definitive contract was completed.

3) The desired specifications for the B-36 were: Range: 10,000 miles, Speed: 250 to 300 miles per hour, Bomb load: 10,000 pounds, with the ability to carry a 72,000 pound payload for shorter distances, Takeoff distance: 5,000 foot runway.


The first flight of the XB-36 was on 8 August 1946. The production B-36A flew on 28 August 1947. The B-36D had two jet engine pods added, each containing two engines (J47-GE-19) attached toward the far edge of each wing, which increased performance.
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