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From: davew@shark.UUCP (Dave Williams)
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Subject: Re: B-36 and the Flying Wing (nostalgia)
Message-ID: <1010@shark.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 27-Aug-84 11:54:53 EDT
Article-I.D.: shark.1010
Posted: Mon Aug 27 11:54:53 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 30-Aug-84 20:23:18 EDT
References: <12777@sri-arpa.UUCP>
Organization: Tektronix, Wilsonville OR
Lines: 23

The B-36 and B-36B were SAC's first line aircraft between the
B-29 and the B-47. It had 6 27 cylinder Pratt and Whitney engines
that were the largest radial engines built. The B series had 4
jet engines in 2 pods at the end of each wing. These planes saw
service in the Korean War. They had to have separate fuel systems
for the jet and piston engines and were real maintainence nightmares
( how would you like to change 324 spark plugs?). I believe they were
built by General Dynamics and were capable of flying great
distances with a full ordinance load. They had a very unique sound
to them that was sort of a low rumbling sound with a very
pronounced doppler shift to it as it flew toward and away from
you. There has got to be some of these around at the Wright-Patterson
or Smithsonian Air Museums.
I saw the Flying Wing fly on several occasions (I think its designation
was XB-49, but I could be mistaken.) It looked like a boomerang in
the air when it banked into a turn. I also remember seeing the
smaller prop driven wings when I was a child. As I recall there was
a 2 engine and 4 engine model, one painted green and the other red.
All Flying Wings, to my knowledge, were built by Jack Northrup.
The Air Force felt the "wings" did not make good bombing platforms
as they were somewhat erratic in straight line flight. Rumor has
it that Stelth Bomber designs are very similar to the wing as it
presents the least radar reflective shape.