Convair B-36 Peacemaker

The Convair B-36 Peacemaker was a long-range strategic heavy bomber of the United States Air Force. It grew out of a 1941 requirement from the United States Army Air Corps for an intercontinental bomber able to strike Europe from bases in the United States, and the XB-36 prototype first flew on 8 August 1946 on six Pratt and Whitney R-4360 radial engines. The aircraft was distinctive for its long tubular fuselage, swept wings and rear-facing pusher propellers, and later versions added four General Electric J47 jet engines in underwing pods. Variants included armed bombers, RB-36 reconnaissance aircraft and a one-off nuclear reactor test aircraft, and it could carry up to 86,000 pounds of conventional or nuclear bombs. A total of 384 were built between 1946 and 1954. It was a major component of Strategic Air Command, was never exported, and was succeeded by the Boeing B-47 Stratojet in February 1959. Only a few survive as museum exhibits.