I’ve been told that the Sliding panels on the fuselage of the B-36 concealed pop-up gun emplacements. If this is true why wouldn’t Revell (I think it was Revell) have included such an important feature in their 1/72 model? I have searched the web but can not find any pics with the B-36 in this configuration. Also I am surprised that they didn’t follow up this beast with a model of the XC-99 transport.
The current Wings/Airpower has an article with pictures showing the turrets exposed. But that apparently was an exception. Jet Pilot with John Wayne was on AMC last weekend, and they intercepted a B36 with the rear turrets out, but it was hard to see. They just weren’t needed in real life.
It’s true…The B-36 had retractable gun turrets. The turrets were in pairs with each
having 2 20mm cannons. It carried 16 20mm guns. 2 in the nose, 2 in the tail and,
12 in 3 pairs of retractable turrets. 2 pair dorsal, 1 pair ventral.
Ray
I’m surprised there are no resin detail sets available for the armament.
There is a Signal/Squadron book on the B36 and it contains several pictures of the guns. It also has detail drawings of the barbettes.
If you are thinking of converting the 36 to carry one of the Goblin (?) jets in the bomb bay then the upper hatch covers need to be removed. The airflow through the a/c caused the doors to “pop”. Which I would imagine cause the crew to need to use the head too.
Dai
Dai
Betcha when the doors went “pop” it was too late to use the head!
(followed immediatly after landing by a visit to the base flight surgeon to get the seat cushions removed) lol
[:-^][:-^][:-^][:-^]
The Warbird Tech series Volume 24, published by specialty press, has a great drawing of all the gun bays.
There is a Jimmy Stewart movie where he flys a B-36, and it crashes (I think) There are some good pics of them not sure if you can see the turrets or not. It was something about the Air Force, can’t remember the name of the flick but I’m sure if you looked up a list of his movies you could find out. Steve
The movie was Strategic Air Command with June Allyson as his wife. Don’t believe there were any pictures of anything other than the tailguns. Some excellent shots of the B-36 and B-47 both on the ground and in the air.