This is one of my experimental digital sketches…this time the left wing of an old B-36 bomber that was on display at the Pima Air and Space Museum here in Tucson. Since I moved here, you’ve seen a few images of the many aircraft on display here. If you are an old aircraft nut like myself, this is the place to visit.
The B-36 was a very unique aircraft in many ways. First, the prop engines are mounted on the back of the wing…three on each wing. At the very end of the wing are two jet engines…so in all, there are ten engines to propel this rather large aircraft. The jet engines were actually added later in the production period which lasted from 1949 to 1959. The aircraft was eventually replaced by the B-52.
The idea for this unique bomber actually came during World War II. The US wanted a long range bomber that could bomb Japan from bases in Hawaii. The first prototypes came off the Convair production lines in 1945-46. But, of course, it never saw action in WWII.
It could fly higher than any enemy aircraft of its day and its large wings could carry enough fuel to fly 10,000 miles. It’s bomb load capacity was huge and could easily carry several nuclear weapon. However, when the jet engines were added, the range was substantially reduced.
The first models had 6 gun turrets, but those were eventually made obsolete with the advent of air-to-air missiles. Later production models eliminated the gun turrets and 6 crewman, thereby increasing its range again.
With the advent of the B-52, the role of the B-36 was reduced to reconnaissance. In fact, the aircraft never saw any combat duty. Still, its completely unique design gave this aircraft a unique place in aviation history.
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