NB-36H
From OnAirpower.org
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[edit] Notes
As part of its effort to develop nuclear-powered aircraft, the USAF converted a B-36 bomber into the NB-36H Nuclear Test Aircraft which was intended to study operational problems related to airborne nuclear reactors. The NB-36H was entirely powered by its conventional engines, but carried an operational three megawatt air-cooled nuclear reactor as payload in its aft bomb bay. The aircraft included a new nose section designed to protect the crew with twelve tons of lead shielding and 10-12 inch thick leaded glass windows. Due to weight constraints, nothing was done to shield emissions from the top, bottom, or sides of the nuclear reactor[1].
The aircraft made forty-seven test flights over Texas and New Mexico between July, 1955 and March, 1957[1].
 NB-36H in Flight |
 NB-36H Cockput |
 Left Flight Engineer's Panel |
 Right Flight Engineer's Panel |
 Left Nuclear Engineer's Panel |
 Right Nuclear Engineer's Panel |
[edit] Sources
- Convair NB-36H "The Crusader" at National Museum of the US Air Force
