B-36 Oversize Cargo Conversion

[Triton]

In 1964, Fairchild Stratos Corporation proposed a modification of the Convair B-36 Peacemaker for transporting the second stage of the Saturn V, much the way Conroy modified the Boeing Model 377 Stratocruiser into the Pregnant Guppy to carry the third stage of the giant rocket.

Sources:
http://www.456fis.org/XC-99_B-36.htm
http://www.air-and-space.com/b-36%20variants.htm

 

[andy_d]

Were there any B-36 airframes left by 1964? Or would the conversion have been a new build?

 

[TomS]

All the ones sent to Davis-Monthan were reportedly scraped by 1961. But there were several set aside for museum display. Perhaps they anticipated using one or more of those.

 

[andy_d]

I read the Squadron/Signal book on the B-36 years ago, and it claimed that it was an aircraft that was easy to fly, and popular with its crews. I wonder whether the same would have been true of this beast...

 

[Orionblamblam]

The Fairchild-Stratos M-534 isincluded in US Transport Projects #4:

http://www.aerospaceprojectsreview.com/blog/?p=2296

Part of the US Aerospace Projects series.

 

[foiling]

Great to see these magnificent projects, Scott. Immediately ordered them. Thanks.