In this article:
The Peacemaker
Responding to the U.S. Army Air Forces’ requirement for a strategic bomber with intercontinental range, Consolidated Vultee (later Convair) designed the B-36 Peacemaker 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. Some B-36s (designated as RB-36s) served as photographic reconnaissance aircraft, and others were adapted to launch and retrieve specially modified RF-84F/K reconnaissance planes.
Powered by six Pratt & Whitney R-4360 engines, the B-36J cruised at 230 mph, but for additional bursts of speed its four General Electric J47s increased the maximum speed to 435 mph. It carried 86,000 pounds of nuclear or conventional bombs. When production ended in August 1954, more than 380 B-36s had been built for the U.S. Air Force. In 1958-1959, the USAF replaced the B-36 with the all-jet B-52. Although never used in combat, the B-36 was a major deterrent to enemy aggression.
Rudderless B-36
On Jul. 11, 1955, a Convair RB-36 Peacemaker, commanded by Maj. William W. Deyerle assigned to the 347th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, 99th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, lost a rudder approximately 30 miles from Denver, Colorado. The aircraft was the last plane in a flight of nine making a fly-over for the Air Force Academy dedication ceremony at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado.
Deyerle said he felt a sharp jolt and lost rudder control but the airplane did not shudder. There was no tension in the rudder controls and there was no reaction to foot pressure. Following these instances, a crewmember was sent back to the rear compartment to investigate the issues and discovered there was no longer a rudder. However, it was found that the aircraft could be controlled by alternative methods. Additionally, the loss of the rudder resulted in damage to the communications systems and all radio contact with the ground was cut off.
The disabled aircraft flew away from the formation and in a teamwork maneuver another RB-36, piloted by Maj. Jack LaForge and Maj. Clyde Perry, from the 348th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, flew alongside the rudderless aircraft and achieved radio contact with its crew. In this manner LaForge’s crew relayed vital information from the ground to the crew of the disabled RB-36.
The first aircraft of its size landing successfully without rudder
The disabled RB-36 crew kept the airplane on an even flight path and decided the wide, long runway at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, was the best location to attempt a landing. The airplane was taking up to about 21,000 feet on the way to EAFB, and at approximately 6:30 p.m. two and a half hours after the rudder was lost, Deverle and Maj. William Thorstenson eased the 150-ton aircraft down for a landing.
According to a USAF news release, Air Force veterans have been cited saying this landing was possibly the first time where an aircraft of its size landed successfully with a lost rudder.
Col. Bryson R. Bailey, former 99th Wing Commander, said “The safe landing of this disabled aircraft demonstrates once again that the teamwork and experience of Strategic Air Command’s crewmen is extraordinary and pays dividends in an emergency. The 99th Wing is proud of this crew and the way in which they operated as a team.”
Photo credit: U.S. Air Force
