PlaneTalk

Mike · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 5:41 am Post subject: The mighty B-36

This is one I've wanted to see for some time, ever since seeing the Jimmy Stewart movie 'Strategic Air Command'.

This one's one of 4 survivors, displayed at the excellent Castle Air Museum. It's every bit as big and every bit as impressive as I'd imagined, powered by 6 R-4360s and 4 jets. It came from Chanute AFB in Illinois where it was dismantled and shipped to Castle on 11 rail trucks. It's an RB-36H - note the camera ports on the fuselage sides and radome blisters under the nose.

_________________
Strict RT procedure will be observed at all times, and it is never, repeat never, to be used for private Polish.......chit-chat.

JDK · Member Joined: 13 Oct 2005 Posts: 3962 Location: Melbourne

It's just a big stick, Mike...CF 'Teddy' Roosevelt.

But seriously, impressive though
_________________
James K

Publisher, MMP Books.
Columnist, Aeroplane Magazine.
Contributing Editor, Flightpath Magazine.

Robbo · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 6:21 am Post subject:

Mike, this is a particular favourite of mine after watching the same film as a kid. Thanks for sharing these pics.

Rob
_________________
Life - Live it, Love it. Remembering the Chipmunk Fondler.

My Flickr Album - updated with images from 14th August Old Warden show

BobL · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 9:56 am Post subject:

When they stuck it back together they put the engines on back to front....

Just kidding now.....
_________________
Under my gruff exterior lies an even gruffer interior...

28Deg East · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 2:38 pm Post subject:

It looks like a Bell Rascal under the wing.

Chris-G · Member Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 1389

But will it be at...........

sorry I'll I'll get me coat

it is that time of year though

Lucky Dog! · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:22 pm Post subject:

It is an impressive beast Mike. I've seen the one at the USAF Museum a number of times, but never one out-doors. I think seeing the B-36 like you did, one must really be able to appreciate the immensity of it. Much better than indoors with all types of other a/c tucked in, around, and under.

When I was about 8 years old, I know I remember seeing one flying over the house pretty high up. However, that would have been about 6 years after the last one flew in 1959. I wonder if it could have been the cargo/passenger version?
_________________
Mike Bealmear
www.bealmear.com/dawn_patrol

"Too much moderation is just another form of excess." - Duke Tumatoe

screamineagle · Member Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 30 Location: Oshkosh, WI

The XC-99 double decker was the commercial entry, we used to see these when I was very young, they make a strange sound with 6 pusher engines and the aux jet engines GE J-47's I believe
_________________
I'll forgive Jane Fonda when the Jews forgive Hitler

Lucky Dog! · Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 3:00 pm Post subject:

Seems unlikely that's what I saw either, as it appears it's last flight was in 1957 (the year I was born). Who knows, maybe just an active imagination after watching "Strategic Air Command". One of my favorites as well. Smile

Good to see that the XC-99 is now (or most of it so far) is at the Museum Of the USAF .
_________________
Mike Bealmear
www.bealmear.com/dawn_patrol

"Too much moderation is just another form of excess." - Duke Tumatoe

screamineagle · Member Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 30 Location: Oshkosh, WI

It was an interesting concept anyway, first "jumbo"
_________________
I'll forgive Jane Fonda when the Jews forgive Hitler

HurricaneBird · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 12:56 pm Post subject:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSvDe-51gFU

What a rumble!

And here's a little bit o' Jimmy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2IWZgW73zI&NR=1

Applause

Very impressive.
_________________
Elwood: It's a 106 miles to Chicago. We got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses.
Jake: Hit it!

Andy in Beds · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 1:34 pm Post subject:

Mike, et al.
One of the other B-36 survivors is at Omaha, Nebraska in the SAC Museum.
We visited there a few years ago now and very impressive it is too.
In one hangar was a B-36, B-52, B-47, B-58, B-29, B-17 and a Vulcan.
As well as a load of smaller types.

Talking on the phone last night, I realised it's nine years ago.

Here's the website.

http://www.strategicairandspace.com/

Worth a visit.
Andy
_________________
I said to the man at the gate of the year, Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.
And he replied, Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than a light and safer than a known way!

kev35 · Site Admin Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 846

B36's, B47's, June Allison, what more could anyone want?

Regards,

Kevin Mears
_________________
From 'The Observers Book Of Dogs'......
"The Walsall Terrier" a slightly heavy breed with grey hair. Famous for its ability to go for the throat.

Mike · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 2:55 pm Post subject:

Sorry Kev, can't provide the June Allison, but will one of these do you?

_________________
Strict RT procedure will be observed at all times, and it is never, repeat never, to be used for private Polish.......chit-chat.

AntH · Member Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 290 Location: Notts

The last B36 to be built is slowly being restored and re-assemled at the Pima Air & Space Museum at Tucson, Arizona. There's a good selection of shots of the progress on A.net. It makes you realise just what a massive aircraft this is, even in its half finished state!

http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?regsearch=52-2827&distinct_entry=true

Relating to one of the above posts, the XC99 is being restored for the USAFM and there's a shot of her being stripped down for transportation on the link below. Very strange to see an aircraft with it's top deck stripped away! What a huge project this one is going to be.

http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?regsearch=43-52436&distinct_entry=true

kev35 · Site Admin Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 846

Thank you mike, very nice.

Did find this picture of June Allison which might be of some interest here.

Left to right are June Allison, Bill Lear Jr., Dick Powell (June Allison's husband). Not sure about the lady on the right but I believe she is the Martha J who is named on the nose of the P38 (aircraft NOT can opener) who, if I read things and understood them correctly was to become Bill Lear Jr's wife.

I believe the Lightning in the background may have been a contender in the Bendix Trophy, possibly of 1948?

Regards,

kev35
_________________
From 'The Observers Book Of Dogs'......
"The Walsall Terrier" a slightly heavy breed with grey hair. Famous for its ability to go for the throat.

sacbrat · Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 2:06 am Post subject:

The RB at Castle was originally from Ellsworth AFB (28th SRW, heavy, 718th). The 28th Wing Association donated money to get it painted a few years back. I plan on making a B-36 tour this year via motorcycle from the east coast and back. As I've seen the one at WP every year for the last 10 or so, I will be stopping at the SAC museum in Nebraska, Castle in CA, and the Pima museum. The RB was the first aircraft my dad was a crew chief on in the early 50s. It's my favorite.
_________________
Jim

GrahamB · Member Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 380 Location: Yorkshire

It's a big impressive bugger. I know this thread's a couple of years old, but anyone know how the XC-99's doing now?
_________________
...You can teach monkeys to fly better than that!

ultralite · Member Joined: 07 Jan 2010 Posts: 11 Location: manchester

how the hell did it fet of the ground hahaha

Peelie · Member Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 232

Good to see it all inside I visited in 1985 and everything was outside.
Peelie