- Yes
- No
Background
Spoiler
The B-36J was the final production model of the B-36 family, developed from the B-36H in 1954, the B-36J saw minor improvements through the addition of 2 fuel tanks holding 5,243 litre’s of fuel each. As well as improved landing gear that allowed the maximum weight to increase to 185,973 kg. This added weight, without any increase in available power, resulted in a slight reduction in speed. During the production of the B-36J, the Featherweight III project was initiated to reduce the aircraft’s weight, and the final fourteen B-36J airframes were constructed to meet Featherweight III specifications. All preceding J variants were also modified to this configuration. In total, 14 standard B-36Js were manufactured, assigned tail numbers 52-2210 through 52-2224.
The Air Force received the last B-36J on the 10th of August and delivered it 4 days later to the 42d Heavy Bomb Wing at Loring AFB. The B-36J was not long lived as all built standard would soon be converted into featherweight III models shortly after production. The B-36J, like all models, would be phased out and scrapped by the end of 1959. Some survive today, though as Featherweight III models. Following the retirement, the piston era of the United States bomber force was over.
Technical Data
Specifications
Crew - 15
Length - 49.4 m
Height - 14.3 m
Wingspan - 14.3 m
Empty Weight - 77,580 kg
Gross Weight - 120,701 kg
Max Takeoff Weight - 185,973 kg
Powerplant A - 6 x Pratt & Whitney Wasp Major R-4360-53 Pusher Prop Radial Engines (2,800 kW each)
Powerplant B - 4 x General Electric J47-GE-19 Turbojet Engines (23 kN dry)
Takeoff Run - 1,612 m at Sea Level.
Rate of Climb - 3.66 m/s Standard. 9.75 m/s War Power.
Cruising Speed - 367 km/h
Max Speed - 661 km/h at 11,095 m
Service Ceiling - 12,162 m
Range - 5,473 km
Armament
Up to 72,000 lb (32,659 kg) of Bombs Standard, 86,000 lb (39009 kg) Overload.
Mk-4 Nuclear Bombs.
Mk-5 Nuclear Bombs.
Mk-6 Nuclear Bombs.
Mk-8 Nuclear Bombs.
Mk-14 Nuclear Bombs.
Mk-17 Nuclear Bombs.
Mk-18 Nuclear Bombs.
Mk-21 Nuclear Bombs.
Mk-36 Nuclear Bombs.
Mk-39 Nuclear Bombs.
AN-M30A1 100 lb Bombs.
M88 220 Lb Bombs.
AN-M57A1 250 lb Bombs.
AN-MK53 Mod.1 325 lb Depth Charge Bombs.
AN-MK54 Mod.1 350 lb Depth Charge Bombs.
AN-M57A1 250 lb Bombs.
132 x AN-M64A1500 lb Bombs.
132 x AN-M85A2 500lb Bombs.
129 x MK-82 500 lb Bombs.
48 x M117 750 lb Bombs.
72 x AN-M65A1 1,000 lb Bombs.
72 x AN-M59A1 1,000 lb Bombs.
2 x AN-MK33 1,000 lb Bombs
Mk 36 1000 lb Sea Mine Bombs.
Mk 36 Mod 1 1000 lb Sea Mine Bombs.
MK26 Mod 1 1000 lb Sea Mine Bombs.
44 x AN-MK1 1,600 lb Bombs.
MK 25 2,000 lb Sea Mine Bombs.
Mk 10 Mod.9 2,000 lb Sea Mine Bombs.
28 x AN-M66A2 2,000 lb Bombs.
12 x AN-M56 4,000 lb Bombs.
4 x T-10 12,000 lb Bombs.
3 x M110 22,000 lb Bombs.
2 × T-12 43,000 lb Bombs.
(2 x 1) x 8 M24A1 20mm Cannons in Retractable Mounts. (16 Cannons Total) (92,000 Ammunition Total)
Avionics
A-7 Chaff Dispenser
K-3A Bombing and Navigational Radar
Y-3A Optical and Radar Sight
AN/APG-41A Radar (Tail Gun)
AN/APX-6 IFF
Due to the fact that the B-36J was quickly modified into B-36J-III standards following production, there are few images. Due to this, I was not able to find any more images that had concretely given evidence of being a B-36J.
Sources
Spoiler
Marcelle S. Knaack’s Encyclopedia of U.S. Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems Volume II, Post-World War II Bombers 1945-1973 (Book)
Warbird Tech Series Vol.24 (PDF)
B-36 Peacemaker In Detail & Scale Vol.47 SAC’s Long Rifle of the 1950’s (PDF)
