Article Summary: The B-36J Peacemaker, the largest bomber ever built for the U.S. Air Force, was a Cold War titan. Originally designed to bomb Nazi Germany from North America, it became a key nuclear deterrent against the Soviet Union. Powered by six piston and four jet engines, this 410,000-pound behemoth had a 10,000-mile range and could carry 86,000 pounds of bombs.
Key Point #1 – Its retractable gun turrets, high ceiling, and sheer size made it a symbol of U.S. airpower.
Key Point #2 – While eventually replaced by the B-52 Stratofortress, the B-36J remains an iconic aircraft in American military history.
B-36J Peacemaker: The Largest Bomber Ever Built for the U.S. Air Force
Usually when you hear the word “Peacemaker” you conjure up images of treaty negotiations and arms control agreements that win Nobel prizes. But what if I told you that the “Peacemaker” was the nickname of a gargantuan U.S. Air Force bomber that terrorized the Soviet Union during the Cold War. I am referring to the B-36J – a magnificent airplane in size and stature that could carry both nuclear bombs and conventional munitions.
Could the U.S. Have Bombed Germany from North America
The B-36J was designed and built by Consolidated Vultee (later known as Convair). It was envisioned as the airplane that would sufficiently turn the tide in World War Two, but it missed the conflict and took its maiden flight in 1946.
The idea behind the Peacemaker was that President Franklin D. Roosevelt expected that the United Kingdom could be taken by Nazi Germany in 1941. Therefore, bombing against the Germans would have to be conducted by airplanes in the United States. This meant the military needed an ultra-long-range bomber to reach Europe.
By 1948, the Peacemaker was ready for active duty, and it was assigned to Strategic Air Command to drop nuclear bombs, potentially…this time on the Soviet Union. A photo recon version was also designed to spy on the Russians and their allies.
Ten Engine Power That Enabled Missions for 24 Hours
This thing had ten – that’s right – ten engines. Made by Pratt & Whitney, the six radial-piston power plants enabled a cruising speed of 230 miles per hour, and with the four General Electric J47 jet engines, it could hit 435 miles per hour, which was fast for the era. The engine configuration was known as “six turnin’ and four burnin’.”
The engines were famous for their power and efficiency, but they also were innovative with the use of fuel injection. “This fuel injection system was developed by Bendix for the Pratt & Whitney R-4360-53 engine used to power the B-36 and probably represents the highest sophistication achieved in the evolution of aircraft piston engine fuel injection. This system injected aviation fuel directly into each cylinder of the 28-cylinder radial engine and produced easy starting and smooth engine operation,” according to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
First Use of Retractable Gun Turrets
Another impressive feature of the B-36J was its use of newfangled gun turrets located all throughout the airplane. These were turrets with two M24 20mm cannon. Six were on board. The turrets could be retracted into the fuselage when not in use, reducing drag and wind resistance. This saved fuel and enabled the B-36J to fly so far and high.
Long Range and High Ceiling With That Huge Size
Its range was 10,000 miles with a ceiling of 45,700 feet. The B-36J was 162 feet long with a wingspan of 230 feet and a height of 46 feet. Imagine if you were a crew member and you had to climb up that high to enter the bomber. Personnel used a ladder that was about 20 feet high. This was the largest bomber ever built by the United States.
One pilot said the B-36J flights were “like sitting in a bay window flying an apartment house.” There were three pilots on board. The quarters were cramped, and the Peacemaker often flew for 24 hours or more.
If the Worst Happened, You Could Depend on the B-36J
The B-36J could carry 86,000 pounds of nuclear or conventional munitions and the entire airplane weighed 410,000 pounds when loaded. The Air Force once had 380 B-36s in its fleet by 1954 when manufacturing ended.
These were the days of the Dwight Eisenhower administration. Ike wasn’t thrilled with the prospects of nuclear war, and the atomic age somewhat mystified him at the beginning of his presidency. But he soon fully realized that preparing for nuclear war and even achieving the ability to win an atomic duel was what U.S. defense strategy needed to be focused on.
The B-36J was an important instrument that was going to give the Americans an advantage when it came to challenging the Soviets and actually dropping the first nuclear bomb since the end of World War Two.
Fortunately, a nuclear strike against the Soviet Union was never executed, but the B-36J was always on standby for deterrence or for a second nuclear strike if the Russians struck first.
The B-36J had a great run, but the jet age was on, and the B-52 finally replaced it.
A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber, deployed from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., lands at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 4, 2020. The B-52 flew the 28-hour mission to demonstrate U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s commitment to the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Richard P. Ebensberger)
B-36J: A Place in the History Books
The Peacemaker was an important bomber that many people don’t know until they see one of the airplanes at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio.
After a visit, you will understand this airplane’s size and power and you can see why it kept the peace during the Cold War.
Convair B-36B in flight. (U.S. Air Force photo)
About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare, plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
