The Mighty Peacemaker: Unveiling 36 Units of Cold War Combat Aircraft

The Cold War era witnessed several iconic combat aircraft that played pivotal roles in shaping global power dynamics. Among them, the B-36 Peacemaker emerged as one of the most influential and awe-inspiring aircraft of its time. With its massive size, long-range capabilities, and impressive payload, the Peacemaker units served as a symbol of strength and deterrence during a period of intense geopolitical tensions.

The B-36 Peacemaker was developed by Convair, an American aerospace manufacturer, as a strategic bomber for the United States Air Force (USAF). This behemoth of a plane, with its six engines and large wingspan, redefined the concept of long-range strategic bombing. It showcased the technological advancements achieved during the early years of the Cold War and marked a turning point in military aviation.

A Game-Changer in Aviation

The B-36 Peacemaker introduced several groundbreaking features that set it apart from its contemporaries. With its immense size and heavy payload capacity, this strategic bomber could carry both nuclear and conventional weapons. It boasted a range of over 10,000 miles, making it capable of reaching targets in the Soviet Union and other potential adversaries from its bases in the United States.

B-36 ‘Peacemaker’ Units of the Cold War (Combat Aircraft)

by Peter E. Davies(Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	25406 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	93 pages

FREE

The Peacemaker's main purpose was to deter aggression by showcasing the USAF's capabilities. Its sheer presence, combined with the fear of its potential destructive power, made it a highly effective deterrent during the height of the Cold War. The aircraft's symbolic significance conveyed the United States' commitment to protecting its allies and defending its interests around the globe.

36 Legendary Units

Let's delve into the 36 Peacemaker units that added legendary status to this iconic aircraft:

• 1. 7th Bomb Wing, Carswell Air Force Base, Texas, USA
• 2. 11th Bomb Wing, Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, USA
• 3. 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, USA
• 4. 42nd Bomb Wing, Loring Air Force Base, Maine, USA
• 5. 72nd Bomb Wing, Ramey Air Force Base, Puerto Rico, USA
• 6. 92nd Bomb Wing, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, USA
• 7. 95th Bomb Wing, Biggs Air Force Base, Texas, USA
• 8. 98th Bomb Wing, Lincoln Air Force Base, Nebraska, USA
• 9. 99th Bomb Wing, Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts, USA
• 10. 100th Bomb Wing, Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire, USA
• 11. 101st Bomb Wing, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, USA
• 12. 119th Fighter Group, Hector Field, North Dakota Air National Guard
• 13. 128th Fighter Squadron, Kelly Air Force Base, Texas Air National Guard
• 14. 145th Bomb Wing, Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio, USA
• 15. 146th Fighter-Bomber Group, Van Nuys Airport, California Air National Guard
• 16. 155th Fighter-Interceptor Group, Memphis Municipal Airport, Tennessee Air National Guard
• 17. 160th Fighter-Interceptor Group, Tucson International Airport, Arizona Air National Guard
• 18. 161st Fighter-Bomber Group, Sky Harbor Airport, Arizona Air National Guard
• 19. 171st Fighter-Interceptor Group, Pittsburgh International Airport, Pennsylvania Air National Guard
• 20. 176th Fighter Group, Kulis Air National Guard Base, Alaska, USA
• 21. 185th Fighter-Interceptor Group, Sioux Gateway Airport, Iowa Air National Guard
• 22. 186th Fighter-Interceptor Group, Key Field, Mississippi Air National Guard
• 23. 199th Fighter-Interceptor Group, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii Air National Guard
• 24. 203rd Fighter-Interceptor Group, Greater Autorino Airport, Connecticut Air National Guard
• 25. 205th Fighter-Interceptor Group, Portland International Airport, Oregon Air National Guard
• 26. 208th Fighter Group, Gulkana Airport, Alaska Air National Guard
• 27. 122d Fighter Wing, Baer Army Airfield, Indiana Air National Guard
• 28. 130th Fighter Group, McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, West Virginia, USA
• 29. 132d Fighter Group, Spangdahlem Air Force Base, United States Air Forces in Europe
• 30. 134th Fighter Wing, Berry Field, Tennessee Air National Guard
• 31. 137th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, William Tell Field, Oklahoma Air National Guard
• 32. 144th Fighter-Interceptor Group, Fresno Air National Guard Base, California, USA
• 33. 140th Fighter Group, Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado Air National Guard
• 34. 141st Fighter Group, Lambert Field, Missouri Air National Guard
• 35. 148th Fighter Group, Duluth Air National Guard Base, Minnesota, USA
• 36. 163d Fighter Group, March Air Force Base, California Air National Guard

Legacy and End of an Era

The B-36 Peacemaker's reign as a symbol of strength and deterrence came to an end when technological advancements and strategic shifts made it obsolete. With the development of more advanced jet-powered bombers, such as the B-52 Stratofortress, the Peacemaker units were gradually phased out of service. The last operational B-36 Peacemaker squadron was deactivated in 1959, marking the end of an era.

Nevertheless, the legacy and influence of the Peacemaker units on Cold War combat aircraft remain unparalleled. They showcased the American commitment to maintaining superiority in the face of potential adversaries while simultaneously highlighting the possibilities of technological innovation in aviation. The B-36 Peacemaker will always be remembered as a true legend in military aviation history.

B-36 ‘Peacemaker’ Units of the Cold War (Combat Aircraft)

by Peter E. Davies(Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	25406 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	93 pages

FREE

A fully illustrated study into the extraordinary Convair B-36 during the Cold War.
Conceived during 1941 in case Germany occupied Britain, when US bombers would then have insufficient range to retaliate, the B-36 was to be primarily a '10,000-mile bomber' with heavy defensive armament, six engines and a performance that would prevent interception by fighters. Although rapid developments in jet engine and high-speed airframe technology quickly made it obsolescent, the B-36 took part in many important nuclear test programmes. The aircraft also provided the US nuclear deterrent until the faster B-52 became available in 1955. It was one of the first aircraft to use substantial amounts of magnesium in its structure, leading to the bomber's 'Magnesium Overcast' nickname. It earned many superlatives due to the size and complexity of its structure, which used 27 miles of wiring, had a wingspan longer than the Wright brothers' first flight, equivalent engine power to 400 cars, the same internal capacity as three five-room houses and 27,000 gallons of internal fuel – enough to propel a car around the world 18 times. Much was made of the fact that the wing was deep enough to allow engineers to enter it and maintain the engines in flight.B-36s continued in the bomber and reconnaissance role until their retirement in February 1959 following 11 years in SAC. Convair employees were invited to suggest names for the giant aircraft, eliciting suggestions such as 'King Kong Bomber', 'Condor', 'Texan' and 'Unbelievable', but the most popular was 'Peacemaker'. Oddly, objections from religious groups deterred the USAF from ever adopting it officially.

This fully illustrated volume includes first-hand accounts, original photographs and up to 30 profile artworks depicting in detail the complexity of this superlative aircraft.