B-36J “Peacemaker”

The B-36 was first conceived in 1941 as a transatlantic bomber to strike Europe from bases in the United States. By 1943, the focus switched from the European Theater to the Pacific for use against the Japanese home islands. After more design changes and greater success of the B-29s, the prototype XB-36s’ first flight was delayed until August 8, 1946, nearly six years after initial design contracts were signed.  

The B-36 Peacemaker is the largest production bomber ever built. Pilots referred to it as the “Magnesium Monster”. Although the B-36 was the largest bomber ever built and held the greatest combat unrefueled radius, it never dropped a bomb in combat. A B-36J crew consisted of a pilot, a copilot, two navigators, a bombardier, a flight engineer, a radio operator, a radar operator, two ECM operators and five gunners.  

Our B-36J was manufactured by the Fort Worth Division of General Dynamics Corporation and delivered to the Strategic Air Command on December 22, 1953.