The Last Peacemaker

 

On this day in 1954, the last Convair B-36, B-36J-10-CF 53-2827, a Featherweight III variant, completed assembly at the Convair Division of General Dynamics plant at Fort Worth, Texas. The Convair B-36J was one of 14 Featherweight III high-altitude variants. It was built without the six retractable defensive gun turrets of the standard model, retaining only the two 20 mm autocannons in the tail. All aft bunk beds, kitchen, and sound insulation were also removed. It enabled the bomber to fly well above 50,000' if needed, an astounding height at the time for the largest-ever bomber. 2827 was retired five years later. After renovations in Fort Worth, the plane was eventually sent to Tucson, Arizona for complete restoration. It is now on display at the Pima Air and Space Museum.

Note: The "Peacemaker" name was submitted in a contest to name the plane when it first went into service in 1948. Though often referred to today in publications, the name was never officially adopted by the United States Air Force.

Record Breaker

 

On this date in 1956, the first prototype XB-58, serial number 55-0660, made its first flight at Fort Worth, Texas, with Convair’s Chief Test Pilot, Beryl Arthur Erickson. The B-58 Hustler served with the United States Air Force as a Mach 2 strategic bomber with the singular purpose of delivering an atomic weapon from a high altitude. It was crewed by a pilot, navigator/bombardier, and a defensive systems operator, located in individual cockpits. Due to advancements in ground-to-air and air-to-air missiles, a higher than average accident rate, and perhaps political decisions, the 116 aircraft only served from 1960 to 1970. Other than the museum samples, all were sent to Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, Arizona for long-term storage, though none were brought back to serve. Other than its beautifully aggressive design, the Hustler remains best known for setting numerous speed records.