Convair B-36J Peacemaker

Oct 4 2009
A view of the official dedication ceremony with many important guests, museum staff, volunteers and veteran organizations.

Oct 4 2009
The Restoration Hanger Supervisor just broke a bottle of champagne on the nose landing gear hub while restoration staff looked on.

Jul 18 2009
An overhead photo as of 07-17-2009. The size of this aircraft has to be seen up close. Come visit and see the aircraft in person.

Jul 17 2009
The aircraft after the two jet pods attached. A few more few more small details and and the aircraft will be complete.

Jul 16 2009
Two Staff members finish attaching the port side jet pod.

Jul 16 2009
Staff and Volunteers complete the attachment of the starboard side jet pod.

Jul 15 2009
The tug convoy taking the starboard side jet pod out to the aircraft.

Jul 7 2009
The B-36 as displayed after all 6 propellers have been installed. Under the wing you can see a team of Staff and Volunteers working on installing the landing gear support stands.

Jul 7 2009
Instillation of all 6 propellers is now finished.

Jul 6 2009
Two staff members install the prop spinner on the last propeller.

Jul 1 2009
The B-36 as it arrived at its location on public display.

Jul 1 2009
The Restoration Staff and Volunteers CAREFULLY escort the aircraft to its display location.

Jun 30 2009
The B-36 has been staged at the entrance to Restoration for display roll out on 7/1/09. Outboard Propellers and Jet Pods will be mounted after the aircraft has been spotted for display.

Jun 29 2009
The last large landing gear door has been installed and closed.

Jun 29 2009
Two volunteers are rushing to finish the install of bird screens on one of the 12 leading edge intakes (no 2 are alike and have to be individually fabricated).

Jun 29 2009
Volunteers and Staff members work on mounting the last of the large landing gear doors.

Jun 26 2009
Assembly and paint progress as of 06/26/09.

Jun 25 2009
One Staff member and two volunteers mount one of the larger landing gear doors.

Jun 25 2009
Four of the large propellers have been installed.

Jun 23 2009
The process of installing the left aileron as it started.

Jun 23 2009
Rear view of the aircraft after flaps and ailerons have been installed.

Jun 22 2009
A staff member applies finishing touches to the top of the vertical fin.

Jun 22 2009
A staff member and a volunteer work on installing the engine cowling on the number 2 engine.

Jun 19 2009
The dummy tail guns have been installed. As we get closer to completion more small details are being worked on. This added 3 feet to the overall length of the aircraft. In process are also half a dozen various antennas that will be installed soon.

Jun 19 2009
A Volunteer works inside the tail gun turret to align the dummy guns.

Jun 17 2009
The engine cowling is being installed for the #1 engine. The #6 engine will be next.

Jun 16 2009
Staff and volunteers attach the last pieces of the left wing leading edge.

Jun 8 2009
Painting an engine cowling.

Jun 3 2009
Two dummy 20mm cannons have been repaired and cleaned up by a volunteer. These will be installed in the tail turret after painting has been completed on the tail.

Jun 3 2009
The last section of the right wing's leading edge is installed and completed.

Jun 2 2009
Staff and volunteers work together to install the last large section of the right wing's leading edge.

May 27 2009
Painting the bottom of the wing around the large landing gear well.

May 26 2009
A volunteer completes the last details of attaching the left wing while a staff member is inside the wing backing him up.

May 26 2009
A coat of primer is being applied to the underside of the left wing prior to applying the white final coat.

May 21 2009
Inclement weather will not stop our dedicated staff and volunteers from completing their assigned tasks. The B-36's big wing makes a great umbrella.

May 20 2009
Assembly and paint progress as of 05/20/09.

May 14 2009
A view from the rear while the joining of the outer wing section is nearing completion. For the first time you see the real size of the aircraft.

May 14 2009
A staff member and a volunteer inside the center wing section bolting the outer wing section into place.

May 14 2009
The process of working the left outer wing section into proper alignment started early in the morning.

May 13 2009
The left wing has been staged ready for the attachment process to begin the next day.

May 13 2009
Attachment of the right wing has been completed and all means of support have been removed.

May 12 2009
A volunteer is working on some of the many hundreds of screws and bolts used to attach the outer wing section. There are two staff members working inside the wing putting bolts into the internal structure.

May 12 2009
A view from behind the aircraft while the right outer wing section is being attached.

May 7 2009
The right outer wing panel has been staged for mounting.

May 5 2009
Two volunteers test and organize the attachment fixtures for the outer wing panel.

May 1 2009
Two volunteers are hard at work finishing the preparation of the right wing for paint.

Apr 30 2009
The USAF markings have been masked over waiting for the silver top coat to be applied.

Apr 28 2009
A staff member applies a coat of white paint to the tail radar pod.

Apr 27 2009
A volunteer fits a patch to the number 5 engine cowling.

Apr 24 2009
Wearing protective gear a staff member applies a coat of primer to the horizontal stabilizer.

Apr 22 2009
A volunteer puts the finishing touches on instillation of both left and right wingtips.

Apr 22 2009
Work continues on preparing the aircraft's skin for painting. This is the right wing #5 engine cowling.

Apr 22 2009
A volunteer and a staff member work together to mask the transition line between the white underside and silver top on the rear of the fuselage.

Apr 20 2009
A volunteer makes pattern for bird screens to cover the six intakes on each wing.

Apr 16 2009
Both jet pods have been completed and wrapped in protective plastic until the wing is ready for their mounting.

Apr 15 2009
Painting and repair nearing completion on the two jet pods.

Apr 14 2009
Painting is underway on the two jet pods. These will be mounted on the outer wing panels when they are joined with the center wing section.

Apr 11 2009
A volunteer is cleaning the jet pods prior to applying the primer paint.

Apr 11 2009
A volunteer is hard at preparing the second outer wing section for painting.

Apr 10 2009
A volunteer applies the primer paint to the center body portion of the jet pods.

Apr 8 2009
The other outer wing section is being moved into the Restoration Hangar for the same routine the right wing is going through.

Apr 1 2009
Three of the restoration crew work on cleaning, patching and repairing the right outer wing section concurrently.

Apr 1 2009
One of the volunteers prepares the leading edge of the wing for paint.

Mar 30 2009
Replacement skin panels have been completed for one of the jet pods.

Mar 27 2009
The Volunteer Team Leader for Restoration finishes riveting new skin replacement panels on one of the Jet Pods.

Mar 24 2009
Markings on the right side of the nose.

Mar 24 2009
A new Volunteer get an introduction to sanding and cleaning old paint.

Mar 24 2009
Close up of the completed forward fuselage markings.

Mar 24 2009
A Volunteer is repairing the section of the outer wing panel that will attach to the larger section of the B-36.

Mar 23 2009
Two experienced Volunteers work in parallel to accelerate the progress on final stages.

Mar 21 2009
A Staff member starts the application of primer paint to the rear fuselage.

Mar 21 2009
You can get a perspective of the size of one of the reciprocating engine assemblies as one of our experienced Volunteers applies the white under side coat.

Mar 21 2009
A newer Volunteer learns about painting starting with masking a color change on one of the flap sections.

Mar 20 2009
A Volunteer applies a coat of silver paint to the top of one of the flap sections. For a comparison in size, it takes 4 men to safely lift each flap section.

Mar 18 2009
A large stencil has been applied to the forward fuselage for the "U.S. Air Force" marking to be painted in black. The nose is fully mask out to protect the completed markings from over spray.

Mar 14 2009
A Volunteer in applying the silver top coat to a wing leading edge section to be installed adjacent to the fuselage.

Mar 14 2009
One of our experienced volunteers performs a final inspection before turning this leading edge segment over to paint.

Mar 13 2009
The "SAC" (Strategic Air Command) decal has been completed.

Mar 12 2009
Two Staff members do a final cleanup of the rear fuselage before painting is started.

Mar 12 2009
A Staff member and Volunteer are starting to apply the "SAC" (Strategic Air Command) decal

Mar 8 2009
An overhead view of the B-36 as of 03/07/09 before the final paint scheme has been completed.

Mar 7 2009
A Volunteer works on final clean up of one of the jet pods cowling panels before turning it over to the paint shop.

Mar 4 2009
A Staff Member has started removal of old paint from the two larger outer wing sections. When these two outer wing sections are attached you will get the full perspective on the size of this aircraft.

Feb 28 2009
The start of the application of the silver top coat shines in the bright Arizona sun. We invite you to check back regularly and make a visit as the completion nears. You can easily see the progress from two vantage points adjacent to the restoration area.

Feb 25 2009
The Restoration Volunteer Team Leader checks drawings, parts, and repairs completed to mount the pod. The pod is held in place on the wing with only 4 large bolts and side braced with 2 more bolts.

Feb 25 2009
A staff member lifts the outer wing panel so that the mounting location for the jet pods can be inspected.

Feb 24 2009
A Volunteer attaches metal screen to vents on the jet pods and other opening to keep birds and pest form nesting in the engine pods after they are mounted.

Feb 23 2009
A Volunteer is cleaning mounting brackets and removing storage transport fixtures for the jet pod.

Feb 21 2009
A staff member completes the first coat of white paint for the underside of the aircraft. All bombers of the period that carried atomic bombs were painted white on the underside to help reflect the heat of a nuclear blast.

Feb 20 2009
The staff has compleated a coat of primer paint for the forward fuselage.

Feb 19 2009
A volunteer repairs a closed center body defuser for one of the jet engines. The jets were used to improve take off performance and increase the B-36's speed for the final dash to the target.

Feb 18 2009
A jet engine transport trailer is pressed into use to support one of the jet engine pods while it undergoes repair.

Feb 17 2009
Concurrently 4 staff members start applying a coat of primer paint to the forward fuselage.

Feb 17 2009
Concurrently 4 staff members start applying a coat of primer paint to the forward fuselage.

Feb 17 2009
Concurrently 4 staff members start applying a coat of primer paint to the forward fuselage.

Feb 13 2009
A staff member has the nose cone nearly complete so it can be reinstalled on the aircraft. In the left background you can see a radar dome for one of the museums B-52's ready to be reinstalled.

Feb 12 2009
The instillation of the forward bomb bay doors has been completed.

Feb 11 2009
All parts for the two jet engine pods are being inspected and a repair plan is under way. Each jet pod has 7 major sub assemblies that are being inspected.

Feb 7 2009
A Volunteer finishes work on the repair of some damaged fuselage skin.

Feb 6 2009
The fiberglass nose cone has received a new coat of resin. In the back ground you see a dome from an early model B-52.

Feb 5 2009
A volunteer is removing the storage stand so repair work can start on the two wing jet pods.

Feb 4 2009
One of of our volunteers is repairing and sealing two upper cockpit windows.

Feb 2 2009
The two wing tips and part of the wing leading edge have been repaired and cleaned up to start the paint process.

Jan 31 2009
A staff member prepares the radar dome for new coat of resin and paint.

Jan 30 2009
The back half of three prop spinners have been cleaned, repaired and painter with primer.

Jan 29 2009
A staff member paints one of the last two props for the B-36.

Nov 18 2008
Staff member working to strip old paint from the nose of the aircraft.

Oct 7 2008
Work on fuselage skin repairs continues under the left wing.

Sep 14 2008
No real news, just a nice photo.

Sep 9 2008
A staff member works with a volunteer to make a skin repair under the right wing.

Aug 14 2008
Since we have only one Pratt & Whitney R-4360 engine we have to manufacture a fixture under the engine cowling to support the propeller.

Jul 14 2008
Two staff members and an exchange student are starting to remove the old paint with a steam power washer.

Jul 14 2008
One of our volunteers masks off the windows on the nose of the aircraft.

Jun 19 2008
An over view of the nearly complete tail assembly of the last B-36J built.

Jun 18 2008
Two staff members are attaching control cables to the trim tabs on the right elevator.

Jun 17 2008
Some of the detail work can not bee seen from the overhead photo. Compare this photo with one taken below on 3/04/08.

Jun 12 2008
The smaller and final piece of the vertical fin is being fitted into its position by several staff members.

May 29 2008
Staff members are putting the finishing touches on mounting the second elevator.

Apr 1 2008
The rear bomb bay doors are now installed and connected.

Mar 12 2008
In this elevated profile photo you can see the radar dome for the tail gun has been installed.

Mar 11 2008
All the equipment and supports structures have been removed leaving an unobstructed view of the aircraft.

Mar 8 2008
A staff member moves ahead on preparing additional components of the wing for paint and eventual assembly on wings. These ailerons are huge in length but light enough to be moved by four people.

Mar 6 2008
As the two large section of the fuselage become more securely bolted together we are able to remove some of the support equipment, 2 50 ton jacks from the nose and a 5,000 lb. counter weight from the rear fuselage. Everyone is anticipating the day it will stand totally on it own landing gear.

Mar 6 2008
A volunteer works on repair of one of the B-36's wing tips. Due to the location of the repair he is using a compressed air rivet squeezer.

Mar 6 2008
A staff member returns to civilization after spending an hour inside the wing securing more bolts.

Mar 4 2008
The Rear Fuselage Join Team is proud of their accomplishment. Several members of the team missed picture day. Let it be known that you appreciate their hard work.

Mar 4 2008
Two members of the team, caught in the act of wrenching the large number of bolts & nuts. The haven't gotten to the riveting yet.

Feb 29 2008
We now have the first of many critical structural members connecting the forward fuselage, center wing section and aft fuselage. We have a lot of small adjustment to make as we make more connections. Expect to hear the sound of rivet guns comming from the B-36 soon. Check back for progress.

Feb 26 2008
Only a couple more inches to go and the two halves of the fuselage will be back together for the first time in more than 10 years.

Feb 12 2008
Horizontal distance to close is now down to less than 1 foot. Vertical separation is now 3 to 4 inches.

Jan 30 2008
A volunteer and two staff members (one is inside the fin) work to align the rivet holes of the smaller part of the fin. Reference November 28, 2007.

Jan 28 2008
The vertical separation has been reduced to less than 6 inches. From now own all movement is done in inches or less...

Jan 22 2008
We have closed to 34 inches laterally and less vertically. Now we must concentrate on the roll, pitch and yaw as we close the gap. Compare to the Jan 15 photo. From now on all movement must be slow and without error.

Jan 22 2008
Staff and volunteers work to adjust roll and pitch before the gap is closed. You can see 2 blue tracking lines laid out during the early steps of closure.

Jan 22 2008
Staff and volunteers work to remove transportation support for the final 34 inch closure. The equipment located above and center open and close the forward and rear bomb bay doors.

Jan 22 2008
This is one of those pictures that is worth a thousand words. You can see the gap closure and improvement in alignment.

Jan 15 2008
The round tube you see near the center of the photo is part of the tunnel that the crew used to travel between the forward and aft crew compartment. You can see, wind permitting we are creeping the two sections closer together.

Jan 14 2008
The careful work of museum staff inches the two large sections closer together. We are down to the final 12 feet. The round tube on the right is part of the access tunnel between flight deck and aft crew compartment.

Jan 12 2008
The rear fuselage is moved into position to be attached to the wing and forward fuselage using a small tug.

Jan 11 2008
A fork lift is used to make the initial adjustments to the position of the rear fuselage.

Jan 10 2008
As the 2 large fuselage sections are brought together great care is needed to safely move the 25,000 pound rear fuselage into position.

Jan 10 2008
Two 50 ton jacks lift the aircraft's nose to line up the two halves of the fuselage.

Dec 8 2007
One of the volunteers is preparing a section of the B-36 flap system for paint.

Nov 28 2007
Cleaning and priming of the remaining pieces of the tail fin is nearing completion.

Nov 20 2007
Aircraft as of 11/20/2007. When the tail assembly is completed we expect to attach the rear fuselage to the center wing section.

Nov 9 2007
The horizontal stabilizer, vertical fin and rudder have been installed.

Aug 24 2007
A volunteer on leave from the Air Force returned to the museum to spend a few hours inside the vertical fin of the B-36 attaching mounting brackets for the rudder.

Mar 31 2007
The aircraft now has the forward fuselage and wing attached. The landing gear is down and four of the engine nacelles are mounted.

Mar 26 2007
Four of the engine nacelles are installed on the center wing section.

Mar 6 2007
To speed up the paint removal two staff members are steaming the fuselage after applying paint remover.

Oct 19 2006
The joined forward fuselage and center wing section was lifted by two cranes so that the landing gears could be lowered and the 10 tires installed.

Oct 19 2006
The team of museum staff and volunteers that succeeded in lifting aircraft, dropping the gear and mounting the 10 tires in 2.5 hours.

Jun 29 2006
Final alignment of forward fuselage and center wing section were done during the bolting and riveting process of this step.

Jul 22 2005
The forward fuselage as it arrives the evening of July 22, 2005