I went out there to see the B-36, a very impressive airplane. As I
recall it had the original B-36A or XB-36 tire beside it, which as you
can imagine was a very big tire indeed (Convair then switched to
bogies). And I think a mockup of the bomb was there, as well as the
camera used to photograph the earth from 30,000 feet (whatever). I
think there's a picture of a golf ball on the Burning Tree course in
Washington taken from a high-flying 36.

Another thing that entranced me was the Goblin fighter that was
supposed to be launched from (and return to) the big bombers to defend
them from Russian or Chinese fighter interceptors.

New since I was there is the XC-99 cargo / transport plane that
Convair adapted from the B-36. I'm sure it's not completed yet, but
perhaps they have a system whereby you can see works in progress.

I think you can go to the museum website and get a preview of the
planes on display. That could help you narrow it down.


-- all the best, Dan Ford

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