CONVAIR B-36 PEACEMAKER SIX TURNING AND FOUR BURNING

摘要

Ironically, the Convair B-36 Peacemaker was never intended to carry atomic bombs, it was conceived in response to a US Army Air Force (USAAF) demand for an aircraft capable of flying non-stop from the United States to Europe to deliver conventional ordnance. In 1941 it had become apparent to the United States that there was a real possibility that Hitler's Germany could overrun Europe, including the United Kingdom. In this eventuality, the only means of striking at Nazi infrastructure and Germany's military machine would be from bases in America. The USAAF announced a competition for a bomber with a range of 10,000 miles (16,000km) and capable of carrying a 10,0001b (4,540kg) payload. A contract for two prototype aircraft was awarded to the Consolidated Aircraft Corporation based at San Diego, California, against its XB-36 design. It was intended that the first XB-36 should be delivered in the early months of 1944.