B-36 Peacemaker

Discover the incredible B-36 Peacemaker - SAC's "Big Stick" - and the first true intercontinental bomber capable of carrying heavier bombloads higher and farther unrefueled than any other aircraft. A concise history, and enduring reference source, written by a former SAC Warrior and Air Force veteran. Features include the complete aircraft lineage, aircraft basing, aircraft specifications, a complete tail number listing, and more!

Theodore Roosevelt once said, "Speak softly and carry a big stick", which was the essence of Strategic Air Command's big stick, the B-36 Peacemaker. The B-36 was the mainstay of United States strategic deterrence policy during the early years of the Cold War. As the only aircraft able to carry two of the largest 21-ton Mk 17 thermonuclear weapons in the arsenal, the B-36 seemed purpose-built for the role. But it was simply in the right place at the right time. Its design started even before the United States entered World War II, long before the Cold War was imagined, and well before the advent of an air-droppable nuclear bomb.

The B-36 was a truly incredible aircraft and unlike any other in its day. Because of its immense size and unprecedented wingspan, it could lift more weight to higher altitudes than any other aircraft. It was the first aircraft to carry a 10,000-pound bombload over 10,000 miles. It was the first true intercontinental bomber capable of flights of over 9,000 miles without refueling and capable of remaining aloft for over 51 hours. The B-36 was the largest piston engine bomber ever built and, at 230 feet, still holds the record for the longest wingspan of any American combat aircraft. It eclipsed the other aircraft of its day including the B-29 Superfortress. Given the size and range of modern-day aircraft, it is difficult to understand how farsighted its specifications were at the time. It is important to understand the context of the day to fully comprehend the enormity and significance of the challenge.

This book is a concise history of the B-36 Peacemaker and its derivatives. It is intended as an enduring reference source, that will leave you with a complete understanding of this amazing aircraft's short but tumultuous history. It covers the aircraft's design and development, including its evolution from the Army Air Corps' "Giant Bomber" research projects to the Air Force's primary strategic deterrence weapon. It features a complete aircraft lineage chart tracing every model and derivative, a complete tail number listing, detailed specifications, a comprehensive basing chart, and more. If you love great planes, you'll love this book!