[ARC5] B-36J Radio Operator Position

[Robert Eleazer]

According to a book I have, B-36 In Action, the B-36J (III) Featherweight version, in which all of the guns but the tail gun were removed, demonstrated a combat range of almost 4000 miles. a top speed of 418 mph at 37,500 ft, and a service ceiling of 43,600 ft.  But it could go higher than the service ceiling.

At max altitude and speed there was some concern that the localized airflow around some parts of the B-36 was resulting in a localized supersonic condition.

One B-36 crewman I talked to said they used to laugh at the F-86's trying to intercept them at 50,000 ft.  Then one day they heard someone say "Bang!  you're dead!" and something went whizzing past. And then they saw their first F-100.  Which could not begin to slow up enough to fly formation with them.  Another day the same thing occurred with an F-102, which was able to fly formation. 

I also read where one day an F-82 from Eglin AFB was on a max altitude test at 50,000 ft and encounter a B-36 doing the same thing.  The  B-36 guys were astonished to see anyone else up there, especially since an F-82 was not on the list of aircraft that was supposed to try to intercept them.  On the other hand, the F-82 pilot noted that the 20MM gun turrets on the B-36 had been tracking him during the whole approach and he likely would have been shot down multiple times.

Wayne