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From: wb9omc@ea.ecn.purdue.edu (Duane P Mantick)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Nuclear Aircraft
Message-ID: <11238@cbnews.ATT.COM>
Date: 8 Nov 89 04:41:10 GMT
Sender: military@cbnews.ATT.COM
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Approved: military@att.att.com



From: wb9omc@ea.ecn.purdue.edu (Duane P Mantick)

On the question of nuclear powered aircraft, there was a B-36 that
was modified to carry a nuclear reactor.  I do not know too many details
but I can tell you that the Squadron/Signal book about the B36 does give
some info. on the subject.  If I think about it, I will bring it in sometime
and submit the info. to the moderator for potential posting.

As far as the B58 is concerned, a "normal" mission would in fact carry
a crew of three along the lines of Pilot, Navigator(+ other functions)
and Weapons Systems Operator.  I, too reacall the sight at Grissom and
went to one open house back when the B58's were still operational there
(305th bomb wing, methinks).  It was quite a sight and sound to have a
formation of 6 of those dudes overfly the base - that was an airplane with
real guts!  You didn't hear it as much as FEEL it.  Of course, this was
also in the days when the Thunderbirds were flying the F100 Super Sabre,
I believe D variant - this was also a LOUD airplane (they were at the same
open house, I think...I don't remember if it was the day they rededicated
the base from Bunker Hill AFB to Grissom AFB or not).

As a matter of interesting (I hope) trivia, the 305th was one of only two
operational wings to fly the B58 with the other being the 43rd out of
Little Rock, ARK., I think.

Duane