The Last B-36

Tim,

Can't find your email address on your website. Send it to me at B-36@cowtown.net

Don

Just a little update on this . After speaking with Don, the curator of this project, Ive decided to donate the plates I have from this plane to the cause. Its just a small part, but it sure feels good to be returning these to their home. Hopefully I will one day get to see this beautiful plane sitting in its own museam.

Just a quick note. I've got a picture of this bird when she was at the small museum at Carswell AFB. She was sure rough. This is so far the only B-36 I've ever seen. The Monogram kit that is out, does it have decals for this one?

Im not sure if the kit does or not. I havent seen it yet. It sure would be nice though.

actually the last b-36 made crashed. The one in Tx. is the next to last, if my Dad's memory is correct. I guess the FAA is dragging it's feet on how to certify the aircraft for its move. You would think that a check of the systems and a one shot permit would be enough to get the airplane to it's destination. My father worked on these bird's in the Air Force, then on to B-52's. I hope she can be saved for the enjoyment and education of those of us that were not around at the time. Never Forget! Bob

very true. I would love to see her fly again, but can you imagine the cost of getting her ready. If I remember right, the main wing spars in B-36s' were really susceptible to corrosion and then there was the vibration from those six engines. The base in the city I grew up in provided maintenance for the 36. The year before we got the museum started, The idiots in reclamation scrapped several sets of 36 wings and assorted parts. I understand there was enough to make a static 36! They also dragged a F-111B (the Navy version) out to be used as a fire trainer. when we started the museum, there was nothing left!

Great link monsterarmor, I would love to see that bird flying again. Or just put back together. My grandma worked on the B-36 some here in San Diego and it has always been one of my favorites.

I was involved with RB-36s at Travis AFB, CA in the 1950's and we lived in concrete barracks about two miles from the runway. B-36's always took off using full power, 6 reciprocating pusher engines and 4 jet engines and not only was the roar something you never forget but our barracks would viberate from the sound! So if a B-36 is brought back to flying status you will see and hear something that will really astound you.
Jack, from the Big Apple

13b20
My understanding is the Friendly Aviation Administration isn't the problem - the Air Force is - Apparently the group that origionally got the a/c ready for flight went looking for sponsers (it burns 55 gallons a minute at idle) and an article was published in a Dallas paper about their search. That apparently made someone in the AF curious about how the group got title (which you have to have to get FAA certification) to the plane. To make a long story short, the Air Force determined it had not sold or given title to any one and said "you ain't going to fly it. Same thing happened to a fellow I worked for about 20 years ago. Seems he got a B-17G from the Air Force for display in a museum he was starting in California. Air Force Museum discovered he had moved it out of California (Somehow registered in his name), produced the paperwork to show it was on loan and took it away from him.

Check out Castle Air Museum's website.

http://www.elite.net/castle-air/

They have an RB-36H sitting at their site. I'v visited the craft several times and have allways been impressed by its size.

Castle's a pretty cool museum and worth the visit.

Mitch