B-36 Peacemaker (Unusual Aircraft Collection)

The B-36 Peacemaker was America's first intercontinental nuclear bomber, the largest piston-engined aircraft ever to enter production, and still holds the world record for the largest wingspan of any combat aircraft.

The Peacemaker project began even before the attack on Pearl Harbor caused America to enter World War Two.   At that time it seemed very likely that Germany was going to invade and defeatGreat Britain.   If a war between America and Germany then started, America would have to bomb targets all the way from the continental United States, which was completely impossible with existing aircraft.   Even after it became clear that Great Britainwouldn't fall the B-36 project was kept alive, first because of the need to bomb Japan and, after the capitulation of Japan, by the start of the Cold War.   The two atomic bombs dropped on Japan by B-29 Superfortresses were soon replaced by larger bombs which were beyond the carrying capabilities of the B-29, leaving the B-36 as the only nuclear bomber with the size, lifting capabilities and range to hit targets in Russia.   The Peacemaker was much larger than its predecessor, with a length of 162 feet and a wingspan of 230 feet, compared to a length of 99 feet and wingspan of 141 feet for the Superfortress.

The Peacemaker was fitted with six piston engines driving propellers, all mounted at the back of the wings in pusher configuration, each engine producing an incredible 3800 horsepower.   To make things even more interesting, it also had four jet engines, which led to the expression among its crews "six turning and four burning".   The jet engines gave extra power for takeoff, but they were shut off when cruising in order to conserve fuel and increase range.

The Peacemaker was America's main atomic bomber until it was completely replaced by the B-52 Stratofortress in 1959.   Its payload was even greater than the B-52, but it could only fly half as fast.   Although much of the B-36's design was old, its large wing and powerful engines allowed it to fly at an altitude and speed which prevented Russian fighters, including the early jets, from intercepting it.   If it was intercepted then it could defend itself using no fewer than eight turrets, each equipped with two 20mm cannon, the most defensive firepower any bomber has ever carried.   An attempt was later made to carry a small "parasitic" jet fighter called the XF-85 Goblin into combat, but it was too difficult for the fighter pilots to hook up to the trapeze which attached them to the Peacemaker, and the project was abandoned.