$34.49
Author: Davies Peter E.
Number Of Pages: 96
Details: About the Author
Peter E. Davies has published over 30 books for Osprey. He has specialized in the aircraft of the Vietnam and Cold War periods, analyzing tactics, background politics and technologies in combat situations. Original first-hand interviews and unpublished illustrative material are a hallmark of his work. He has often sought to explore specific military incidents from past conflicts. Peter has also been a contributor to publications such as Aeroplane Monthly, Aviation News and Aircraft Illustrated.
Gareth Hector is a digital artist of international standing as well as an aviation history enthusiast. He lives in Perthshire, UK.
Jim Laurier is a native of New England and lives in New Hampshire. He attended Paier School of Art in Hamden, Connecticut, from 1974–78, and since graduating with Honours, he has been working professionally in the field of Fine Art and Illustration. He has been commissioned to paint for the US Air Force and has aviation paintings on permanent display at the Pentagon.
Product Description
A fully illustrated study into the extraordinary Convair B-36 during the Cold War.
Conceived during 1941 in case Germany occupied Britain, when US bombers would then have insufficient range to retaliate, the B-36 was to be primarily a “10,000-mile bomber” with heavy defensive armament, six engines, and a performance that would prevent interception by fighters. Although rapid developments in jet engine and high-speed airframe technology quickly made it obsolescent, the B-36 took part in many important nuclear test programs. The aircraft also provided the US nuclear deterrent until the faster B-52 became available in 1955. It was one of the first aircraft to use substantial amounts of magnesium in its structure, leading to the bomber’s “Magnesium Overcast” nickname. It earned many superlatives due to the size and complexity of its structure, which used 27 miles of wiring, had a wingspan longer than the Wright brothers’ first flight, equivalent engine power to 400 cars, the same internal capacity as three five-room houses and 27,000 gallons of internal fuel – enough to propel a car around the world 18 times. Much was made of the fact that the wing was deep enough to allow engineers to enter it and maintain the engines in flight. B-36s continued in the bomber and reconnaissance role until their retirement in February 1959 following 11 years in SAC. Convair employees were invited to suggest names for the giant aircraft, eliciting suggestions such as “King Kong Bomber”, “Condor”, “Texan”, and “Unbelievable”, but the most popular was “Peacemaker”. Oddly, objections from religious groups deterred the USAF from ever adopting it officially.
This fully illustrated volume includes first-hand accounts, original photographs, and up to 30 profile artworks depicting in detail the complexity of this superlative aircraft.
Release Date: 12-04-2022
Package Dimensions: 9x246x308
