http://aviacaoemfloripa.blogspot.com.br/2011/01/consolidated-b-32-dominator.html
May interest some here of a rarely seen aircraft overshadowed by the many other bombers.
By: Bager1968 - 9th July 2013 at 00:55
Intended as the “back-up” to the B-29, the Consolidated B-32 lagged behind its more-famous (and more-advanced) Boeing counterpart.
In great part this was because Consolidated was also developing the B-36 Peacemaker at the same time… a diversion of internal design and development resources that slowed both projects.
Problems with the pressurized crew areas meant that that feature was not installed on the prototype, and was dropped from the type altogether shortly after.
The first prototype flew with B-24-style twin tails, but stability problems led to a B-29 style vertical tail being fitted to the second prototype after its 25th flight. The 3rd prototype and the first 2 “production” aircraft also had the “B-29-style” vertical stabilizer, but this was later replaced by the taller one on these… and all other B-32s were built with the tall tail.
75 were delivered to the USAF, and 117 (some sources say 118 or 114) were built to flyable condition… those still at the factory were flown incomplete to Davis-Monthan Field, Tucson, Arizona for storage.
Information and specifications:
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=2535
http://www.aviastar.org/air/usa/cons_dominator.php
Book on the B-32 (both print and Kindle E-book versions): http://www.amazon.com/books/dp/0933126387
Note the other two books on the B-32 also available there.
1. XB-32-CO 41-141 on 28 February 1944
2. XB-32-CO 41-141 in flight
3. Large photo of Consolidated B-32-1-CF (S/N 42-108471), the first “production’ (and 4th overall) aircraft built. Note the original B-29 style vertical stabilizer.
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July 7, 2013 at 1:13 pm