#B-36 bomber

[historyofguns]

The article by Peter Suciu on "The Armory Life" discusses the McDonnell XF-85 Goblin, a prototype "parasite" fighter jet developed during the Cold War by the U.S. Air Force. Intended to provide protection for bombers beyond the range of conventional escorts, it was designed to deploy from bombers mid-flight, such as the Convair B-36 Peacemaker and initially tested with a Boeing B-29 Superfortress. The Goblin's design included innovative features like foldable wings and a trapeze deployment system, but the project faced critical challenges, including difficulty in recovery due to turbulent air and limited flight endurance. Only two prototypes were built before the program was canceled, and the article explores the project's historical context, its technological ambitions, and subsequent efforts in developing parasite fighters, emphasizing the rapid advancement of Soviet fighter technologies and the transition to more promising aerial refueling techniques. The article also reflects on the legacy of the XF-85 Goblin and the potential future of unmanned collaborative combat aircraft concepts.

[dieselfutures]

B-36 Peacemaker

[stone-cold-groove]

A Convair B-36 Peacemaker and crew.

[usafphantom2]

U.S. Air Force Convair B-36J Peacemaker S/N 2827 "City of Ft. Worth" probably at Carswell AFB TX.

@ron_eisele via X

[bisforbomber]

[nocternalrandomness]

A B-36 Peacemaker Bomber on display at the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona

[dronescapesvideos]

Convair B-36 Peacemaker Strategic Bomber.

➤➤ VIDEO: https://youtu.be/BGKGTceC40E

[redarmyscreaming]

On the occasion of the first B-36s to visit Great Britain, B-36D, 49-2658 is displayed for the press at RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk, January 17th 1951

[bacony-cakes]

built a convair b-36 bomber in spore

[flomisa]

The fat plane

[historyofguns]

The article discusses the Convair NB-36H, a nuclear-powered bomber developed during the Cold War by the United States Air Force and the Atomic Energy Commission. Post-World War II, nuclear power was seen as a miracle energy source, leading to its consideration for military applications beyond submarines and supercarriers, like bombers. The NB-36H was a modified Convair B-36 Peacemaker, equipped with an air-cooled nuclear reactor, although the reactor never powered the aircraft in flight. Despite extensive research, including 47 test flights, the program was deemed too costly and risky, ultimately scrapped, as missile advancements reduced the need for such bombers. This endeavor reflects Cold War era technological ambitions and challenges in nuclear propulsion development.

[whitedogblog]

B-36 under construction

[stone-cold-groove]

A flight of Convair B-36 Peacemaker bombers gracing the sky.

[usafphantom2]

How many spark plugs?

@CcibChris via X

[dangerousthingobservation]

The Northrop YB-49 bomber was a jet powered update of the earlier piston engined YB-35 (that appeared to have a small radar cross section). It first flew in 1947, in competition with Convair's B-36, but the huge B-36 won the competition - for now. At the risk of being branded a conspiracy theorist, I do have a theory about the B-49. First of all, there were at least two instances of the aircraft possibly being sabotaged with one of these resulting in one of the prototype aircraft's destruction.

[nocternalrandomness]

First flight of XB-36, 42-13570 - August 8, 1946