Welcome back! Now this post is a special treat, at least for me. The Convair B-36 "Peacemaker" heavy strategic bomber. This big aircraft was unique with 6 pusher propeller engines and 4 jet engines. If you are an aviation guy like me, you may have heard the phrase, "six turning and four burning". Well, that is a nod to these massive planes. It is as long as the proverbial country mile and almost as wide.
First introduced in 1948, the bomber was THE key element of the newly formed Strategic Air Command. During the Korean War, the WWII era Boeing B-29s (which were demoted to medium bomber because of the size of the B-36) bombed North Korea while USAF Gen. Curtis LeMay kept all B-36s stateside as a deterrent to any Soviet air attack. Some of you may recall the movie "Strategic Air Command" starring legendary actor Jimmy Stewart, released in 1955. The centerpiece of the movie was the B-36. Today, these aircraft are as rare as hens teeth. This is the only example I have ever seen in the wild. The photo was taken at the Pima Air Museum outside of Tucson, AZ. If you ever get down that way, the museum is amazing with over 350 aircraft on display. And this ionic relic of the Cold War is on display. The cinematic style of the image mirrors the vintage status of this classic warbird.
Talley Ho!
Steve