B-36 Peacemaker
I’ve been in love with the B-36 ever since as a young child I was taken to see the movie
Strategic Air Command (1955 – Jimmy Stewart, June Alyson). It seems like about a quarter of the movie takes place around and inside a B-36.
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This one was in pretty sad disrepair. At least one engine was missing.
Here's the missing engine, a P&W R4360 Wasp Major, 28 cylinders, 3500 horsepower, partially disassembled, on display. I remember it had a blown cylinder head (big hole in it). There was a separate bucket collecting money for the engine's rebuilding. I threw in a dollar, but it didn't look too promising.
This B-36 actually had a bittersweet story. It was the last one off the line at the Consolidated/Convair plant at the end of the runway, and christened "The City of Fort Worth." After its Air Force service it was retired on display at the ill-fated and short-lived Amon Carter Field in Fort Worth. After the airport folded I guess it found its way to where I saw it.
Later several citizens tried to raise money to restore it, and approached the Ft. Worth city council. The good citizens of that city rejected a bond proposal to move it to a facility where it could be restored and displayed. However eventually the Air Force stepped in and moved the ship to Tucson, where it was fully restored and put on display at the Pima Air and Space Museum. I have not yet been there to see it. I don't know if it's still named "The City of Fort Worth."
So, that's all I've got. If I find any more old pictures I'll be sure to post them.