wanttaja@ssc-vax.UUCP (Ronald J Wanttaja) (08/29/84)
Lest we forget two little-known variants of the B-36: The Cargo version (C-99, I think) had only the six prop engines and had an oblong (vs. round) cross-section fuselage. Never went into series production. The pure jet version (XB-60?) which was developed in for the proposal that the B-52 eventually won. Imagine a B-36 fuselage, with a "Buck Rogers" pointed nose, swept wings looking similar to a B-52 (I think it even had the same engine arrangement) with a tail section to match. In retrospect, definitely a weird looking bird. The B-52 won the contract, of course, and I heard it was because the AF was looking for something entirely new... it was tired of taking old designs and updating, like the B-50. Regarding "The B-36 was used in Korea" comment, I don't believe that was true. Lotsa B-29s, yes, but the B-36 (if it was even in service at the time, I thought it entered service in '53 or so) was designed as an intercontinental bomber... Omaha to Moscow and back WITHOUT refueling. Not really designed for tactical bombing. But then again, neither was the B-52... until ARC LIGHT. Yes, it was the B-47 that set Gen. Jimmy's heart aflutter in Strategic Air Command. My favorite part in there is a replay of a famous Curt LeMay line... Where the SAC commander (obviously based on LeMay) is showing Jimmy the B-47 in the Hangar, smoking a big stogie. A security guard comes up nervously to Jimmy and, refering to the General's cigar, says "Sir, doesn't the General know the aircraft could explode?" Jimmy rolls an eye at him and drawls, "It wouldn't dare..." Ron Wanttaja (ssc-vax!wanttaja) The B-36 PEACEMAKER "Peace is our Profession... War is just a hobby!"