[Milsurplus] B 36 bombers.

[Mark via Milsurplus]

Saw and heard a few B 36s in the 50s but they were high up. Looked through cheap kids binoculars. Couldn't see much more than an outline. Unmistakable sound though. 

The only ones I've seen up close are the one at Dayton OH (complete) and the one at Merced CA (interior totally gutted). 

Went to a B-36 crew reunion years ago at Castle AFB. Amazing stories. Talked to guys who used the ARC 21 AM CW liaison radios and scanned HF spectrum with ARR-7. 

One story told by several different crew members were missions flow WELL ABOVE 60,000 ft in 36Hs that had undergone the featherweight mod. They would not say where the missions were flown but all agreed on altitude. Lowered wing loading after the featherweight mod program apparently allowed a service ceiling that far exceeded the published specs. 

I have a RB-36H Dash 1 manual. What a complicated aircraft. What really amazes me is the the manual still has that distinctive 1950s airplane smell. Those who flew those old planes know the aroma. 

Interestingly the lone C-99 is being totally restored for static display. Transport version of B-36. 

AF6IM