B-36 Peacemaker

The Convair B‑36 Peacemaker was the United States Air Force’s first intercontinental strategic bomber, entering service in 1949 and remaining operational until 1959. Developed from the earlier Convair XB‑36 prototype, the aircraft was produced at the Convair plant in Fort Worth, Texas, where more than 380 units were built. Its six Pratt & Whitney R‑4360 Wasp Major radial engines, later supplemented by four General Electric J47 turbo‑jets, gave the massive plane a combined propeller‑jet propulsion system capable of cruising at 300 mph and reaching a maximum speed of 435 mph, while its 230‑foot wingspan enabled a range of over 10,000 miles with a 72,000‑pound bomb load.

Key features included a pressurised crew compartment, a defensive armament of twelve remotely‑controlled .50‑caliber machine‑gun turrets, and the ability to carry nuclear weapons following the advent of the atomic age. The B‑36’s unprecedented range allowed it to strike targets in the Soviet Union without refuelling, shaping Cold‑War strategy and prompting the development of aerial refuelling techniques. Although quickly outclassed by jet‑only bombers such as the B‑52, the Peacemaker demonstrated the feasibility of true intercontinental flight and left a lasting legacy in strategic airpower and aircraft engineering.

Convair

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification