Consolidated-Vultee RB-36H Peacemaker (3097)

The largest bomber ever built (at the time), the B-36 served as America's airborne nuclear deterrent in the 1950s. Armed with sixteen 20 mm remotely controlled cannon in nose, tail and retractable fuselage turrets, it could carry 72,000 pounds of conventional or nuclear bombs. It had a maximum speed of 411 MPH, range of 8,800 miles and could operate to 39,000 feet. Fortunately never required to fire a shot in anger, they were the "big stick" of the COld War until the advent of the B-52. This aircraft at Castle Air Museum is RB-36, reconnaissance bomber, equipped with multiple cameras. The camera ports are visible in the forward fuselage. It is one of four surviving B-36s and the only surviving RB-36. Castle Air Museum volunteers went to Chanute AFB, Illinois, to disassemble the aircraft and load parts on eleven flat cars supplied by Santa Fe Railroad. It was reassembled here on site, utilizing thousands of hours of volunteer effort. This aircraft was assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota. It displays the markings of that unit.