The B-32 "Dominator" was a good plane, it was completely acceptable to the Air Corps. So why don't we hear about it?
It was manufactured in small numbers but it's competitor was built in thousands.
The Convair design was good, but it was conventional, the next step in the
B-24 line. It was left behind when the revolutionary B-29 succeeded.
The B-36 was started at the same time as the B-32 and in its first version looked
much like a larger B-32. Following the success of the shorter development sequence
of the B-29, many of new technology features were adopted for the XB-36. The
"Peacemaker" succeeded as the last piston engine powered long range bomber.
Douglas Aircraft came up with this unconventional pusher medium bomber. It performed well,
but was never ordered due to the jet bombers just starting into production.
In an attempt to compete with the jets, the XB-42 was re-engined with a turbojet
and redesignated as the XB-43.
The XB-46 was Convair's elegant but thoroughly conventional approach to a medium range bomber.
Again, the design was low risk and put to shame by the riskier but successful Boeing B-47.
John Northrop's long range bomber presaged today's B-2, but had development problems
with marginal stability and analog control systems. It was also underpowered, a common
problem in the early 50s designs.
"The Middle River Stump Jumper", the XB-51 was Martin's design based on much of
the newly captured German technology, three engines, tandem wheels and a fighter type
cockpit.
The XB-58 was another design from a former German designer, Alexander Lippisch who
did the seminal work in perfecting the delta wing. The B-58 flew at twice the speed of sound
just a little longer than a decade after the sound barrier was first broken. It performed well
but maintenance was constant and expensive.
©Charlie Carey 5/03 Mail me
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