XB36 PEACEMAKER
In 1941 a requirement for a bomber capable of bombing European
targets from the Western Hemisphere was requested by the Army Air
Corps. The Peacemaker was designed by Consolidated to meet those
specifications, which included the ability to carry up to 72,000
pounds of bombs. The company designation for this aircraft was the
Model 35, and it was designed to have twin fins and rudders (a
feature that was later changed to be a single giant tail). Northrop
aircraft was also designing an aircraft to meet the 1941 Air Force
specification, and developed an aircraft that came to be known as
the XB35 Flying Wing. To avoid confusion with the Northrop
bomber, the Model 35 was redesignated
the Model 36, and a six engine design was settled upon. In November
1941 a contract for two prototypes was given by the Air Force.
Consolidated was already busy building the B24 Liberator (and later
the B32 Dominator), so progress on the XB-36 was slow. Consolidated
Aircraft merged with Vultee Aircraft
Inc. in March 1943, which lead to the unofficial name
"Convair" (which became official
in April 1954). In June 1943 General Hap Arnold placed an
order for 100 examples of the B-36, with the first prototype
to be ready for flight by September 1944. By mid-1944 the war
was going better for the Allies, and the priority level of
the XB-36 was reduced in light of the success of
Boeing’s B-29 Superfortress. Progress continued slowly,
with the first XB-36 being rolled out on September 8, 1945,
and achieving its first flight on August 8, 1946. The first
B-36A took flight in August 1947, and the B-36 remained in
service with the Strategic Air Command throughout the 1950s.
However, by late 1958 the B-36 was phased out and replaced by
the Boeing B-52 as the premier USAF heavy bomber.
This is part of a
series of 23 caches dedicated to the American Aircraft of
WWII. Each cache is
dedicated to a particular aircraft model and can be logged as an
individual find. The
series consists of 16 regular caches and 7 mystery
caches. The series will
be divided into 5 sub-series, one for each category of aircraft
(
Fighters,
Bombers,
Seaplanes, and
X-series Prototypes) and a final series consisting of three of
the most recognizable aircraft of WWII. (
P51 Mustang,
B17 Flying Fortress and
B29 Super Fortress).
This cache is part of the X-SERIES PROTOTYPES
sub-series. The log contains a code used to find the final of this
sub-series: American
WWII Aircraft-X-SERIES PROTOTYPES (
GC1D44Z).
X-SERIES PROTOTYPES =
N40 48.XB35/XF5U
W074
35.
XB36/XB42
This is a
small cache. Bring your
own pen.
This cache is located along a portion of the Randolph
Trails. These
trails are well maintained and easy to walk.
Trail maps are readily available at most of the trail
heads. Randolph’s trail system runs a 16-mile
course traversing five parks, the Clyde Potts Reservoir
Watershed and 2,000 acres of pristine open space. The trails
link together schools with neighborhoods and connect to
Patriots’ Path at Combs Hollow and Old Brookside. Randolph’s trails should be
viewed as a work in progress as the township continues to
pursue easements and funding to expand our trail network. The
township funds 90% of design and construction costs through
state grants and developer contributions. Over $1.5 million
in state grants and developer contributions has been invested
in Randolph’s trails. Open year round, the trails
can be used from dawn to dusk and are closed at night. During
the winter months, there is no snow or ice removal, providing
a wonderful opportunity for cross-country skiers and snowshoe
enthusiasts.