The B-36, an intercontinental bomber, was designed during World War II. The airplane made its maiden flight on Aug. 8, 1946, and on June 26, 1948, the Strategic Air Command received its first B-36 for operational use. When production ended in August 1954, more than 380 B-36s had been built for the USAF.

In 1958-1959, the B-36 was replaced by the more modern B-52. During the years it was in service, the airplane was one of America's major deterrents to aggression by a potential enemy. The fact that the B-36 was never used in combat was indicative of its value in "keeping the peace."

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SPECIFICATIONS:

Span: 230 ft.

Length: 162 ft. 1 in.

Height: 46 ft. 9 in.

Weight: 410,000 lbs. loaded

Armament: 16 M24 20mm cannons in eight nose, tail and fuselage turrets plus bombs -- nuclear or 86,000 lbs. of conventional

Engines: Six Pratt & Whitney R-4360s of 3,800 hp each and four General Electric J-47s of 5,200 lbs. thrust each

Cost: $3,701,000

PERFORMANCE:

Maximum speed: 435 mph

Cruising speed: 230 mph

Range: 10,000 miles

Service ceiling: 45,700 ft.