10 Engine Aircraft

B36-D


On this date (March 26, 1949), the first United States 10 engine aircraft , the B-36D makes its first successful test flight. Four turbojets are added to the six piston engines already on the bomber by putting them in paired pods under the wings. This boosts its speed to 435 mph and its ceiling to more than 45,000 feet, and leads to further production contracts and the estabblishment of the B-36 as major system of deterrence.

• Powerplant:
  • 4× General Electric J47 turbojets, 5,200 lbf (23 kN) each
  • 6× Pratt & Whitney R-4360-53 "Wasp Major" radials, 3,800 hp (2,500 kW) each