B-36 question?

Nathan · **Posted:** Wed Sep 30, 2009 9:48 pm

Are all surviving B-36's still owned by the USAF?

Matt Gunsch · **Posted:** Wed Sep 30, 2009 10:25 pm

all complete B-36s are, there are the partial remains of one with Soplata in Ohio.

there are 4 complete airframes, 1 partial, and the XC-99.

Nathan · **Posted:** Wed Sep 30, 2009 10:36 pm

Which one would be closest to airworthiness?

JDK · **Posted:** Wed Sep 30, 2009 10:45 pm

Nathan wrote:

Which one would be closest to airworthiness?

Cough cough, choke...

"Out of these five dead parrots, which is least dead?"

jamesintucson · **Joined:** Sat Jan 29, 2005 1:42 am **Posts:** 546

Nathan wrote:

Which one would be closest to airworthiness?

None of them really. All the complete airframes are riddled with corrosion. The one at Castle is bad enough that they are slowly replacing all the magnesium skins with aluminum and it was cut up to put it on rail cars to move it to California. The Pima one had to have main structural members in the fuselage cut to disassemble it the first time back in the 70s. It will probably need the magnesium skin replacement someday too. I don't know much about the one in Nebraska(?) but I doubt that it is in any better shape from all the years it spent outdoors in that weather. The Air Force Museum one has been indoors the longest but has almost as much corrosion as the others from what I understand. Soplata's is, at best, half a B-36, I don't think he has the wings at all. I suppose if you had to pick one it would be the Air Force Museum's, it is probably complete inside and as far as I know has never been taken apart.

If anybody out there has the money to try something like that let me know cause I got this really cool bridge I've been looking to get rid of that you'll just love.

James

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Thu Oct 01, 2009 3:51 am

I saw the SAC Museum B-36 back in 1986, when it was still on outdoor display. Even then it had some good-sized holed eaten in the undersides of the wings. As much as I'd love to see a Peacemaker fly, it just ain't gonna happen.

SN

tex-fan · **Posted:** Thu Oct 01, 2009 8:30 am

i was at the Air Force Museum's in june, and walked around the B-36 for about 30 mins just in awe. it looks like you could just open the doors pull it out and take off in it. but i think it would take bill gates to be able to spend enough money on it to actually fly it. but it REALLY did look GREAT!!!

Nathan · **Posted:** Thu Oct 01, 2009 10:22 am

Alrighty...thanks for the info!

Yeah to be honest I was talking to a few people that had a serious interest in getting a B-36 flying. We all know its pretty much a never gonna happen deal.

Django · **Posted:** Thu Oct 01, 2009 11:20 am

Put in Strategic Air Command, fire up the surround sound and sit on the subwoofer. That's as close as you'll ever get. :lol:

Chris Brame · **Posted:** Thu Oct 01, 2009 12:57 pm

It can be done very easily! Just follow these simple steps:

1. Win $300 million Powerball lottery.

2. Buy B-36 from Walter Soplata. (Be sure to tilt fuselage up and shake it to remove lesser aircraft stored inside.)

3. Go to Canada and salvage B-36 wrecks while nobody is looking.

4. Assemble into flyable airframe.

5. Thrill airshow crowds around country, especially when landing at Old Rhinebeck.

6. Declare bankruptcy.

7. Wake up.

:lol:

wwrw2007 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 01, 2009 1:37 pm

Nathan wrote:

I was talking to a few people that had a serious interest in getting a B-36 flying. We all know its pretty much a never gonna happen deal.

If they truly have serious interest in getting an old bomber into the air there's a B-29 in Texas and one in Kansas that could use some help for a lot less money than what it would take for one B-36

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Thu Oct 01, 2009 8:45 pm

A coworker and I were once having a "what would you do if you won the lottery?" conversation. I told him I'd contribute a couple million to Fifi. When I explained she was a WWII bomber, he thought I was crazy..asking why I would want an old relic like that when I could buy a brand new fancy corporate jet. Obviously he just didn't get it..

SN

JDK · **Posted:** Thu Oct 01, 2009 9:01 pm

Very funny Chris!

We should all have dreams, just be able to tell the ones for night time and day time apart...

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Thu Oct 01, 2009 9:12 pm

soplata's b-36 wings are present, but they are majorly corroded due to the lovely ohio weather. they are just lying on the ground. for perspective i'm 5 feet 9 inches tall & those wings on average came up to my chin when standing next to them at his place.

CrewDawg · **Posted:** Thu Oct 01, 2009 10:05 pm

We'll get in line with everyone else for the generous donations to restore an old bomber.

I happen to be very familiar with a certain B-17 in Fort Worth that is very close to returning to the air. :wink:

We will be more than happy to help them find a way to make good use of thier money!

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