Here’s why the propellers on the B-36 Peacemaker did face backwards

Here’s why the Propellers on the B-36 Peacemaker did Face Backwards

By Dario Leone
Dec 29 2021
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The B-36 Peacemaker was one of the first bomber designs to use a noticeably swept wing in the era of propeller flight.

Responding to the US Army Air Forces‘ requirement for a strategic bomber with intercontinental range, Consolidated Vultee (later Convair) designed the B-36 during World War II. The airplane made its maiden flight in August 1946, and in June 1948 the Strategic Air Command received its first operational B-36.

The B-36 was powered by six Pratt & Whitney R-4360 engines and later variants (such as the B-36J) had additional bursts of speed thanks to four General Electric J47s.

But why did the propellers on the B-36 Peacemaker face backwards?

‘Because it was one of the first bomber designs to use a noticeably swept wing in the era of propeller flight,’ Damien Leimbach, USAF avionics technician, explains on Quora.

‘The backwards taper of the wing would make the blades of the prop come too close to the leading edge of the wing.

‘There is no concern of a strike, since they are impossibly stiff, it’s just that the prop would lose a lot of efficiency as the close surface of the wing behind the propeller would cause a disruption to the airflow.

‘The rear of the wing was still effectively straight, so it made more sense to use a pusher design.

‘Additionally, the plane was huge. The wing thickness was so large it could effectively house the engines inside the wings, so putting them out on protruding pods was unnecessary, the way it was for bombers like the B-17.

A Mighty Fortress: why the Boeing B-17 is the best bomber ever built
This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. B-17G Flying Fortress – 42-31076, LG-V “Chief Sly’s Son” 91st BG, 322nd BS – 1944

‘This backwards sweep reflects the new reality of aeronautics design at the time, where higher speed aided by back sweep was the norm. Virtually all aircraft from this time reflect this new trend, seen in bombers designed just a few years later like the B-52.

Announcement of new B-52 engines imminent
B-52

‘Compare this to earlier bomber designs like the B-29

Did you know that in the 1960s China used the Soviet copy of the B-29 to intercept CIA B-17 and P-2 Spy Flights from Taiwan?
B-29 and B-17

‘or the B-24.’

Here’s why the propellers on the B-36 Peacemaker did face backwards
B-24

Leimbach concludes;

‘That not only had straight leading edges, but also wings that were too small to completely encase the motors.’

The XB-36 on its first flight

Photo credit: U.S. Air Force


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Dario Leone

Dario Leone

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

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