Pusher design
 

What is the advantage of a pusher prop arrangement on a full size B-36 For example? Why was it designed that way?

RE: Pusher design
 

It may have been for better engine cooling. That was a huge problem with the B-29. It would also clean up the leading edge of the wing. Ever see the original B-36 landing gear? Three giant tires. They still have one at Wright-Patterson in Ohio.

RE: Pusher design
 

At least part of the reason for mounting the engines "backwards" was for streamlining. The leading edge of the Peacemaker was swept, and the engines were 28 cylinder R-4360's with 3800 hp each. For the propeller to clear the leading edge, the engines would have had to be mounted forward of the leading edge, much like the B-29's, which is an aerodynamically dirty design. The trailing edge is almost perpendicular to the fuse, so no problem with prop clearance. The wing section of the B-36 was so large that there was an accessway inside the wing that the flight engineer could reach the engines through.

I always thought the B-52 was a big airplane, saw many on the ramps whenever we flew into Carswell, but the B-36 absolutely dwarfs them.

RE: Pusher design
 

Thank you...guys. I understand why now. Makes good sense.