With a wingspan of 240 feet, the B-36 instantly became the largest bomber ever mass-produced.

The B-36 “Peacemaker,” the largest warplane ever constructed, first took to the skies more than eight decades ago. Retired early following a brief stint in service with the U.S. Strategic Air Command, the B-36 remains a fan favorite among industry experts and aviation enthusiasts alike. The memorable platform was designed to travel roundtrip from New England to Leningrad without needing to refuel in the late 1940s. Although the aircraft was born in the aftermath of World War II, it instantly became a Cold War classic as its extensive range could help counter the threats of Soviet missile attacks.

The Origin Story of the B-36 Peacemaker

The strategic bombing attacks became more significant in the early 1940s when Nazi Germany’s “Blitz” barrages nearly destroyed Great Britain. In order for the U.S. Army Air Corps to effectively strike Germany, a long-range bomber capable of reaching Europe and returning all the way back to North America was essential. Up until this time, no previous military aircraft had even approached flying such a long distance. Following the creation of the Air Force under the National Security Act of 1947, the B-36 bomber became the backbone of the fleet. In addition to the Cold War hostilities and threat theatre, the war in the Pacific was also progressing around this time, meaning the United States needed a bomber capable of flying from Hawaii to Japan.

The Short-Lived Production Run

Based on these threats, the Air Force initially ordered a production run of 100 B-36s from its manufacturer Convair (formerly Consolidated Vultee). With a wingspan of 240 feet, the B-36 instantly became the largest bomber ever mass-produced, only followed by the Soviet Union’s Antonov An-22. As noted in a Sandboxx News article, “Its wingspan was so big, in fact, that you could lay a B-52 Stratofortress’ wings over the B-36’s and still have room to throw a Super Hornet on the end for good measure.” The Peacemaker, named to serve as the ultimate deterrent to America’s adversaries, was armed to the teeth with some of the most lethal ordnance available at the time. In fact, the formidable airframe was able to carry roughly 86,000 pounds of nuclear or conventional bombs. Comparably, the newer B-52 Stratofortress is only equipped to lug around 71,000 pounds of ordnance. Upon reaching operational capacity, the B-36s proved they could reach speeds in excess of 430-plus miles per hour with a range of up to 12,000 miles.

Despite these capabilities, the B-36’s time in service was short-lived. Issues surrounding the testing phases of the Peacemaker and the introduction of fighter jets and the Stratofortress rendered the massive aircraft obsolete. The Navy especially opposed the maintenance of the B-36 program, publicly criticizing the aircraft as too slow and vulnerable to enemy defenses. By 1959, the B-36 was officially relegated to retirement. However, it is notable that the platform even survived through the decade, as multiple attempts to nix the bomber nearly led to the Peacemaker’s early demise.

About the Author: Maya Carlin

Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin. Carlin has over 1,000 articles published over the last several years on various defense issues.

Image: Wikimedia Commons.

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