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CONVAIR B-36 PEACEMAKER

The Convair B-36 was conceived in 1941, right as the U.S. was preparing for and entering the second World War. Dubbed “The Peacemaker”, the huge strategic bomber had the longest wingspan of any combat plane built and was the largest mass produced piston-engined plane. Although it was capable of intercontinental flight and delivering nuclear weapons, it was never used in combat. Very few remain today, including one, 42-13571, which was added to the Walter Soplata Collection in August 1972 and is now a part of the PlaneTags fleet.

History

Developed for a Dark Future which Would Never Come to Pass 

Built from 1949 to 1959 as an ultra long range intercontinental bomber designed to penetrate deep into enemy territory without a fighter escort and without refueling.

One of the 5 saved from the scrap yard, our B-36 Peacemaker, Serial # 42-13571 was the first to be converted to the bubble canopy. Originally designed for Britain’s potential fall under the German “Blitz”, a new class of bomber that could bomb Berlin and return home in one flight. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor the B-36 was put into full production for its ability to reach Tokyo from Hawaii.

The simple threat of the B-36’s range was thought to have been one of the best protectors of our shores during the Cold War. Although built for aggressive, long range bombing, the B-36 was never used in combat – it never went to war, it never dropped a bomb in anger, and it was never reported as firing its cannon at an enemy airplane. During the years the B-36 was in service, the airplane was one of America's major deterrents to aggression by a potential enemy, earning it the name of Peacekeeper.

Specs

• Length: 162 ft 1 in
• Height: 46 ft 9 in
• Weight: 410,000 lb loaded
• Max Wing Thickness: 7.5 ft
• Top Speed: 435 mph
• Cruising Speed: 230 mph
• Range: 10,000 mi Service
• Ceiling: 45,700 ft+
• Max Flight Time: 40 Hours
• Max Payload: 87,200 lb
• Armament: 16 M24 20mm cannon in 8 turrets, 86,000 lb of conventional or nuclear
• Number Built: 384
• Crew Count: 15
• Original Cost: $3,701,000

Our planes story

Although never part of the fight abroad, the B-36 was centerstage during the bitter Revolt of the Admirals, pitting the Navy’s aircraft carriers against the Air Force’s strategic land-based bombing force. 

The B-36 starred in 1955’s Hollywood epic, Strategic Air Command, alongside Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson. The B-36 was on display in the 50s and 60s at the former site of the Air Force Museum, but was slated to be scrapped when the cost of moving it to the new museum location was too high.  

One of the 5 saved from the scrap yard, our B-36 Peacemaker, Serial # 42-13571 was the first prototype to be covered to the bubble canopy used on production B-36s.

SOPLATA COLLECTION PLANE TAG

It was cut up at the museum, and the pieces were saved by Walter Soplata who bought and transported the pieces by truck to his farm in Newbury, Ohio, where it remained until today.  

PlaneTags are made from actual retired aircraft fuselage, not merely stamped metal. Because PlaneTags are made from real fuselage, each PlaneTag bears the color, thickness, and wear and tear from the portion of the fuselage from which it was cut and it is therefore rare to create two identical PlaneTags. These variations and imperfections are not product flaws. They are part of the beauty of PlaneTags. As a result, you will not have an option to select the color of your PlaneTag. The images on this website are provided for reference only and should not be used as the sole basis for choosing a particular PlaneTag.

Disclaimer

- Please Note: Due to limited quantities, combination colors you may receive will vary.

*Important Notice – Please Read Carefully

PlaneTags are made from actual retired aircraft fuselage, not merely stamped metal. Because PlaneTags are made from real fuselage, each PlaneTag bears the color, thickness, and wear and tear from the portion of the fuselage from which it was cut and it is therefore rare to create two identical PlaneTags. These variations and imperfections are not product flaws. They are part of the beauty of PlaneTags. As a result, you will not have an option to select the color of your PlaneTag. The images on this website are provided for reference only and should not be used as the sole basis for choosing a particular PlaneTag.