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Home > Fact Sheets > Convair B-36J
CONVAIR B-36J
Posted 6/26/2009
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Convair B-36J-75-CF (S/N 52-2827, the last production B-36J). (U.S. Air Force photo)
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The B-36J was an improved version of the B-36H. Improvements included the addition of fuel cells in the outboard wing area and a strengthened landing gear. The landing gear supported an increase in gross weight to 410,000 pounds -- a 50,000-pound increase over the H model.
The B-36 remained in service with the Strategic Air Command throughout the 1950s; however, by late 1958 the B-36 was phased out and replaced by the Boeing B-52 as the premier USAF heavy bomber.
The museum's B-36J was flown to Wright Field from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., on April 30, 1959. This was the last flight ever made by a B-36. It was also the first airplane to be placed inside the museum's Cold War Gallery.
| Type |
Number built/
converted |
Remarks |
| B-36J |
33 |
Last production version |
TECHNICAL NOTES:
Armament: 16 M24 20mm cannons in eight nose, tail and fuselage turrets; plus bombs -- nuclear or 86,000 lbs. of conventional (Featherweight III aircraft had only 20mm cannons)
Engines: Six Pratt & Whitney R-4360-53 radials of 3,800 hp each (takeoff power) and four General Electric J47-GE-19 turbojets of 5,200 lbs. thrust each
Maximum speed: 411 mph [418 mph for B-36J (III)] at combat weight
Cruising speed: 230 mph
Range: Approx. 10,000 miles
Service ceiling: 43,600 ft. (at combat weight)
Span: 230 ft. 0 in.
Length: 162 ft. 1 in.
Height: 46 ft. 9 in.
Weight: 410,000 lbs. (maximum gross weight)
Crew: 13 after Featherweight III conversion; 15 otherwise
Serial number: 52-2210 to 52-2226; 52-2812 to 52-2827
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