Convair B-36 Peacemaker

The massive intercontinental bomber built for early Cold War nuclear deterrence.

Overview

Convair United States ICAO: B-36 1946–1954 $4.1 million (1946)

The Convair B-36 Peacemaker was developed as a long-range strategic bomber for the U.S. Air Force. Entering service in 1949, it was designed to carry nuclear weapons across intercontinental distances. The aircraft remains one of the largest piston-engine aircraft ever built.

Live Fleet Activity (B-36)

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Specifications

Units
Engine
6 × Pratt & Whitney R-4360-53 Wasp Major & 4 General Electric J47 turbojet engines, 5,200 lbf each
Engine type
Piston
Power
6 × 3,800 hp · 2,834 kW
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
15
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
162 ft 1 in  ·  49.40 m
Tail height
46 ft 9 in  ·  14.25 m
Fuselage diameter
11 ft 6 in  ·  3.50 m
Wing span
230 ft 0 in  ·  70.10 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
410,000 lb  ·  186,000 kg
Max landing weight
—
Max payload
87,500 lb  ·  39,600 kg
Fuel capacity
30,600 gal · 115,800 L · 83,400 kg (AvGas)
Max cruise speed
378 kt  ·  435 mph  ·  700 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
—
Range
8,700 nm  ·  10,010 mi  ·  16,110 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
45,000 ft  ·  13,700 m
Rate of climb
1,995 ft/min  ·  10 m/s
Takeoff distance
—
Landing distance
—
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USAF Convair NB-36H in flight.

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Operational Context

Convair B-36 Peacemaker — intercontinental strategic bomber

The B-36 first flew in 1946 and entered service in 1949. It featured a high-mounted wing and six pusher propeller engines, later supplemented by jet engines in some variants. The aircraft was designed for very long-range missions at high altitude.

Powered by six Pratt & Whitney R-4360 radial engines producing approximately 3,800 horsepower each, with four additional jet engines in later models, the B-36 cruised at around 200 knots (370 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight exceeded 400,000 pounds (181,437 kg). The bomber had intercontinental range without refueling.

The B-36 served as a key element of early U.S. nuclear deterrence strategy. It was gradually replaced by jet-powered bombers in the 1950s. The aircraft remains an iconic symbol of the transition from piston to jet strategic aviation.