https://www.youtube.com/@B36HPeacemaker
I'm building a realistic scratch-built, full-scale mock-up and/or replica of a B-36 flight deck and applicable surrounding airframe from a combination of vintage B-36 and other time-period aircraft components and hand-made fabrications.
These days, a single 8'x4' sheet if 3003 16-20 gauge aluminum cost $160.00 before tax. A bag of rivets is $40-50 plus shipping and some proper fasteners can cost $5-10 a pop. I spend $20-50 American dollars on the B-36 every time I so much as think about going to the hardware store to purchase consumables, paint and abrasives.
Your money doesn't grow on trees, so let's not leave anything to the imagination.
I am just a guy with a garage smack dab in the middle of West Virginia and I don't bite. I have four cats, and like most people: a mother. I am 48 years old and I have been unreasonably obsessed with the B-36 since I was 5 years old. That's pretty much the driving force as I was not in the military nor was anyone in my immediate family. And negative, I am not a pilot.
What exactly am I doing?
First thing is first: The B-36 airframe consisted of around 165,000 pounds of aluminum, magnesium and steel formed, machined, cast and extruded parts. Of these parts there were many different alloys and fasteners whose proper thickness, strength and location can only be determine by original Consolidated Vultee (CONVAIR) manufacturing drawings (blueprints) to which I possess none of, nor am I able to located thus far, despite my efforts. To that end, it is impossible for me to create a replica of a time period correct, airworthy B-36. Furthermore, I've been told by life-long educated folks of the aircraft industry that it would cost as much as several billion dollars JUST TO DESIGN a current day, safety standard correct, FAA certified and insured airworthy, modern day B-36 equivalent.
Assuming I had the proper equipment, at my current rate of construction it would take me OVER the rest of my life just to finish the better part of the fuselage.
If it is already not apparent, let's understand that I am just a guy with a born talent as a graphic artist and fabricator. I have no formal training or education. I simply see something and magically will it into existence. Or, I give it my best shot. I am not building anything the FAA will be inspecting or will be doing high-speed passes over airshows anytime soon.
How did I get here? The initial dream was to build a complete B-36 flight deck to serve as a PC flight simulator. However, the more I learn about the B-36, the more vintage USAF technical orders and/or manuals I add to my collection, and the more the rest of the B-36 fascinates me and my will to add more to the build continues. My interest in the B-36 started in my early childhood as way to relate with my father and over time grew to a fascination with the remote controlled turret system. Now, forty-some years later I am enthralled with longerons, bulkheads and stiffeners.
Twenty or so years ago I began collecting vintage flight instruments for the B-36 with a dream of someday building a main instrument panel for their display. While confined to a small basement room I fabricated the main panel and quickly realized that I would need something to sit it on, so the inspiration to construct the pilot's console was born. With the PC flight simulator in mind, the flight deck sides and a basic steel canopy structure followed. In 2023 my elderly mother fell down some stairs and broke her back. Moving in to watch over her, the size of my work area increase along with the scope of the project.
"I am going to be building this B-36 until the day I die" is most likely a literal statement, but it is not legally binding. If you are a human who does human stuff, you probably understand that situations and priorities change. Ergo, building this B-36 is not my job, obligation or responsibility. Large donations are cool, but unfortunately I still have to place food in my belly, and building more often than not makes me hungry!
What will your contribution buy? Initially, this list was simple; however over the last couple of years things have become more complicated. I've been drawn to learning about true airframe tooling, fasteners and construction techniques. When I first started this project I was going for the look of a general area, but now I am duplicating areas on a rivet-by-basis. With more donations coming in I have began to use proper AN or military surplus fastens as well as solid rivets. I am still not down to that 1/1000th of an inch accuracy, but I give it my best shot.
That's about it. I am just a guy in a typical household garage with a few power tools, a handful of machines and the will to do something amazing......or.......maybe.......insane.
Don't be shy as just $5, 10, 20 gets a lot done. Larger amounts will purchase more pricey, vintage items or tooling that will contribute to the historical and technical accuracy of the project.
In terms of help, it's not all about money. I am always looking for photographs of areas inside the B-36 you cannot see in museums, USAF technical orders and/or manuals of the B-36, in any format. The more I get, the more I will build.
Another BIG help is to simply share, like and subscribe to my YouTube channel. I am far from swimming in money, but clicking and watching my videos brings in a small income that grows each day.