Film Strategic Air Command…

…and I’ll keep looking for something about reverse thrust – either that or I’m going bonkers…

I’m not saying you’re wrong with that, but stressing the diamonds thing was a different purpose, as confirmed by JB, I really need to get that book sometime!

can’t watch this film because of JUNE ALLYSON !!!!! am i the only person in the world who does not warm towards her ?

not surprised this was james stewart’s least favoutite films !!

Absolutely agree…could never stand listening to her voice !
ISTR from memory that she was going out with/married to somebody very influential…

rgds baz

I can’t say that I’ve read of that reverse prop technique Ken, not to say that didn’t happen, but the diamond markings around the shrouds forward of the spinners was to visually check their position as they controlled the exit of cooling air by moving fore and aft. .

That’s how I understand it.
And it’s confirmed by an excert from the POH in the book Magnesium Overcast, The Story of the Convair B-36 by Dennis R. Jenkins. Cooing air entered the leading edge and was guided by baffles in the nacelle. There was a two speed cooling fan which blew air around the engine.The ring-shaped “air plugs” served the same basic function as cowl flaps on tractor aircraft by controlling the amount of cooing air to the nacelle. The diamonds were a visual guide to show the observers how much they were open.

I wouldn’t say the cockpit of the B-36 was designed to be cramped, generally, American designers didn’t try to make life hard on the aircrews, but having been in a preserved B-36, I was surprised how cramped they actually are, something the film does not show.
Truth is, all bombers have a lot of equipment in them, so it does get cramped.
I’ve been in most American bombers: B-17, 29, 36, 47, 52 and B-1, and they’re all like that.

Whilst looking for some proof of my reverse-thrust assertion, I found this fascinating webpage about life on a B-36……

http://www.zianet.com/tmorris/b36.html

To quote one line from it…..

For all its size, the B-36 had a cockpit designed to be cramped and uncomfortable.

It makes a great read – and I’ll keep looking for something about reverse thrust – either that or I’m going bonkers……

Ken

All the actings bad, I just watch it for the aircraft :diablo:

choice of actors

can’t watch this film because of JUNE ALLYSON !!!!! am i the only person in the world who does not warm towards her ?

not surprised this was james stewart’s least favoutite films !!

This was the 1st film made in vista vision as far as I’m aware & the owners are not interested in giving it the digital treatment. Apparently it was James Stewarts least favourite of all his movies.

I can’t say that I’ve read of that reverse prop technique Ken, not to say that didn’t happen, but the diamond markings around the shrouds forward of the spinners was to visually check their position as they controlled the exit of cooling air by moving fore and aft. This could be visually checked by an engineer from the aft lower gunner viewing blisters.
The engine exhausts also exited around the base of the spinners, the J-47s were sometimes started when the aircraft was at the runway threshold and had irises to prevent windmilling while shut down in flight and FOD ingestion.

IIRC, the B-36 used to taxy with the outers in reverse thrust for ease of maneouvering.

After a couple of accidents when they tried to take off with them still in reverse, the flight engineer used to dismount at the end of the runway to make a visual check of the diamond pattern painted on the prop hub to make sure all was well, before climbing back on board.

At least that’s what I remember reading……

Ken

Thank goodness it was shot in widescreen and colour.
I’m sure the film makers never thought that 60 years later, their effort would be viewed as a unique historical document.

There is also a limited edition of 1000, CD of the soundtrack by Victor Young.

Very happy to recommend this guy, film quality is excellent and the price is tiny.. and of course the subject matter is unique I reckon this film is pretty close to being a genuine historical document..

.http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/180989570799?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

the whole movie can be watched on youtube

watched it myself a few weeks ago

love the B-47

You can buy it here..

http://www.raremovies-uk.co.uk/strategic-air-command-1955-james-stewart-dvd-219-p.asp

I haven’t got Sky, but I recommend anyone to watch this fantastic film, the sequences with Jimmy Stewart sitting in on the B-36 power checks and taxying are something else – well before the days of special effects!

Watched it and loved it but didn’t record it and now wished I had as I don’t subscribe to Sky.:(

hi,
the above film on sky classics this pm at 5, B.36,s plus B.47,s…

regards
jack…

Brilliant film – my favourite aviation movie – majestic air-to-air sequences mainly of B.36’s as below.

I recorded it onto VHS tape when it was shown on Channel 4 about 7 – 10 years ago.

I’ll watch it yet again just to hear those eerie B-36 brakes squeal as it taxis out – thanks!