Skunk Works Mailing List
RE: Off-Topic Request
Date: Sat, 11 Sep 1999 08:34:17 -0500
From: "Robert S. Hopkins, III, PhD"
Subject: RE: Off-Topic Request
>I just happened to be reading the new book on the B-36 entitled "Convair
>B-36" by Meyers Jacobsen (large format, thick/huge book, stuffed with
>pictures). Despite not having an index, I was able to find some information
>related to this question. In one of the chapters detailing Soviet responses
>to the B-36, Bill Van Orman (a B-36 tail gunner) detailed a 1956 "border
>skirting mission". He states:
>
>"We flew along the Turkish-Russian border for well over 100 miles. I do not
>know if we intruded on Russian airspace. I do know that we were very close.
>This was in effect a 'thumb your nose at them' mission. I could see MiGs
>trying to get up to us, both on radar and visually out of the blisters. They
>could not reach us."
>
>This was from a letter dated 8/31/96 to Chuck Hansen.
>
>Given that some of the superfeatherweight B-36s (e.g., 50-1086) reportedly
>got up to 59,000, and given the ceilings of the various MiGs of that era
>(MiG-15bis 51,500; MiG-17 54,450; MiG-19 57,550), this type of mission
>appears doable, though quite risky. Apparently, the B-36s out of Ramey AFB
>in Puerto Rico often flew through the Med to Turkey, often landing in either
>North Africa or Adona, Turkey.
>
>Regarding the unique paint scheme, I have not yet come across anything like
>it.
Thanks! You've been a gold mine!
DrBob
Next Message
| Previous Message
| List Surrounding Messages
|
This archive of mailing list messages
is provided as a free public courtesy.
It is maintained automatically.
The webmaster has no control over content,
does not review these messages and accepts no
liability for the accuracy of information contained herein.
Responsibility for this material rests solely with the author
and mailing list moderator (if any).
Note: This is a temporary archive only; this message will
be deleted eventually. See main page for more info.
This site is supported by the
Research Center Bookstore.
Please visit our catalog if you appreciate our free web services.
|
|
Created: Sat Sep 11 09:42:56 EDT 1999