Convair Model 6

[Triton]

Convair Model 6

Seen here was the next logical step for Convair, marrying the swept-back wings of the YB-60 and the fuselage of the XC-99. The Model 6, however, retained the rounded cockpit of the B-36 rather than the airliner-style windows of the XC-99 (Model 37). The YB-60 was Convair's proposal for a large long-range heavy bomber; this was based on the B-36. Only two YB-60s were built; the USAF opted for Boeing's Model 464 (better known as the B-52) instead. This rare illustration comes from Dennis Jenkins et al., B-36 Photo Scrapbook, (Hinckley, Leics.: Specialty Press, 2003), p. 85. This is the companion book to Magnesium Overcast, by the same authors.

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2931511060048918155qsFJEH

 

[Steve Pace]

Only one YB-60 was built and flown. The 2nd one was never completed.

 

[Bailey]

Some good photos of the YB-60 here.

http://www.air-and-space.com/YB-60.htm

 

[Steve Pace]

Here's some more.

 

[Stargazer]

Does anyone here have evidence to support the fact that the YB-60 (or the X-6 for that matter) fell under the "Model 6" designation? The only document I know that is specifically labeled as such is the breakdown view (seen a few posts above) for a double-decker transport derived from the XC-99.

 

[Steve Pace]

I don't. We need to find someone that does.

 

[hesham]

A larger view.

http://www.tailsthroughtime.com/2010/06/people-sometimes-ask-me-how-i-decide.html

 

[SAustin16]

Even with 8 engines, this aircraft would appear to be significantly under-powered. I think the B-52 would look petitie next to the Convair 6. The XC-99 used to reside at Kelly AFB, and looked vast even from a distance...at least to my eye.

 

[Bill S]

Some NARA II images of the YB-60, including cockpit and flight engineers station.

 

[Bill S]

A few more in-flight images of the YB-60 from NARA II.

 

[circle-5]

Thanks Bill, nice photos! I wonder why the undercarriage is censored on photo no. B26608. Didn't Convair just carry these components over from the B-36?

 

[Orionblamblam]

Thanks Bill, nice photos! I wonder why the undercarriage is censored on photo no. B26608. Didn't Convair just carry these components over from the B-36?

An unwarranted guess: if the photo showed the known B-36 landing gear with the known B-36 tires being squashed more or less than normal, an analyst could make a guess about the weight of the aircraft. Probably not it, though.

 

[Johnbr]

This the No-2 Yb-60.

 

[Johnbr]

gone

 

[sienar]

That is not related to Model 6 or YB-60 but part of the FSW studies Convair was doing post war. I thought there was a thread with that aircraft posted in it already but I cant find it.

https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,5164.msg84404.html

 

[taildragger]

Thanks Bill, nice photos! I wonder why the undercarriage is censored on photo no. B26608. Didn't Convair just carry these components over from the B-36?

An unwarranted guess: if the photo showed the known B-36 landing gear with the known B-36 tires being squashed more or less than normal, an analyst could make a guess about the weight of the aircraft. Probably not it, though.

Early photos of the B-52 sometimes had the landing gear obscured because of the swivel feature that accommodated cross-wind landings, which was important because it allowed operations from portions of the interstate highway system, maybe the censorship is related to that. I don't know of any similar feature on the B-60, but maybe it existed and has been forgotten, or was planned, or perhaps its absence was deemed sensitive.

 

[archipeppe]

This is my personal interpretation of the Model 6 or (better) the C-99J:

 

[foiling]

This is my personal interpretation of the Model 6 or (better) the C-99J:

View attachment 673675

This is incredible & beautiful, Archipeppe. The XC-99 is one of my favourite aircraft, and any top quality 3 view illustrations thereof (or variants or proposals thereon) really delights me. This one is completely unfamiliar to me - is this a real proposal or strictly of your own imagination?

 

[archipeppe]

This is my personal interpretation of the Model 6 or (better) the C-99J:

View attachment 673675

This is incredible & beautiful, Archipeppe. The XC-99 is one of my favourite aircraft, and any top quality 3 view illustrations thereof (or variants or proposals thereon) really delights me. This one is completely unfamiliar to me - is this a real proposal or strictly of your own imagination?

Thank you so much Foiling.

The design isn't my own fantasy rather a real proposal. If you read this topic by its start will find more reference about it.