Memory lane - Chanute AFB & a B-36 PEACEMAKER

[OldAirmail]

A picture of a massive bomber reminded me of the Chanute AFB in Illinois a VERY long time ago.

Each day I walked past the tail of a B-36 Peacemaker bomber as I went to my classes. I was told that it had made an emergency landing at the base and that they didn't have enough runway for it to take off.

So they did the most logical thing - they started an avionics school next to it.


I supposed that this is a shot from after they closed the base.



From Convair B-36J Peacemaker

"The B-36 is the largest bomber and the last piston engine powered bomber produced by the United States. First designed to meet a World War II requirement for a plane capable of hitting targets in Germany from bases in the United States the prototype did not fly until August 8, 1946. The development of the atomic bomb led the Air Force to conclude that it still needed a very long-range bomber capable of delivering the bombs over intercontinental ranges and production of the B-36 was continued despite the end of the war a year earlier."

[CHUCK79]

What a beast

[OldAirmail]

During WWII it was thought that Great Briton might be invaded. Our bases there could then fall.

The B-36 would be able to take off in the US and bomb anywhere in Europe with a massive bomb load.

It didn’t fly until after WWII but the cold war kept it alive.

And yes, it IS rather large. You could hurt your neck looking up at the tail gun position.

From Wiki
Combat radius: 3,985 mi (3,465 nmi,[72] 6,415 km)
Service ceiling: 43,600 ft (13,300 m)
Loaded weight: 262,500 lb (119,318 kg) (combat weight)
Bombs: 86,000 lb (39,000 kg) with weight restrictions, 72,000 lb (32,700 kg) normal

From elsewhere - Six fuel tanks with a capacity of 21,116 US gallons were incorporated into the wing

[Fozzer]

Great Britain: An Island in the North Atlantic Ocean; comprising of England, Scotland, and Wales.

Great Briton: A British person of large stature.

Paul...A very ancient Briton, of small stature..... ...!

[Bass]

Britania rules

[ftldave]

If you ever get the chance, visit the Chanute Air Museum. It was my pleasure to spend a day there on Memorial Day weekend last year, particularly to see the C-133 Cargomaster and RB-66 Destroyer aircraft. Alas, no B-36 remains, but there are many great aircraft and exhibits, and the training facilities exhibits are amazing.

CHANUTE AIR MUSEUM

[OldAirmail]

Great Britain: An Island in the North Atlantic Ocean; comprising of England, Scotland, and Wales.

Great Briton: A British person of large stature.

Paul...A very ancient Briton, of small stature..... ...!

OK. OK. Let me rephrase that -

"During WWII it was thought that Great Briton Fozzer might be invaded. Our bases there could then fall."

I just didn't want to single you out as THE Briton.

[Steve Hess]

I remember walking past it on the wat to Avionics School too.