B36 Could Reach Any Target In Russia
(N.Z.P.A^
Reuter ,
CrwyriQnt)
Eeceived Friday, Midmght. WASHINGTON, August 12. The United States Air Forc'e disclosed that it had eonducted tests proving that North American based B36 bombers could reach any target in Eussia. It said that on June 24-25 a B36 flew 7.104 miles, 6000 of which were flown above 40,000 "feet at an average speed of 300 miles an hour. The bomber thus staved at an altitude of 40,000 i'eet for 20 hours 'whereas computations indic-ated tliat pentrations from the rim of Russia to any target and out again would require only 12 hours. The Air Force also disclosed that the B36 D version. with faur jet engines in addition to six piston engines had beeu above 47,700 feet. Air Fdrce officers testifying before the House Armed Services Committee recently said bombers were safe from enemy fighters at' 40,000 feet. Gener'al Curtis Lemay, Strategic Air Commander, testified that Eussia evidently had no defence against the B36. "I doubt that the enemy would ever kilow that a bomber was there until the bomb hit, " said General Lemay. He added that the chances of the B3G being ifitereepted and shot down by fighters were so remote that they were hardijr-^orth, considering.
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Chronicle (Levin), 13 August 1949, Page 5
Word Count
207B36 Could Reach Any Target In Russia Chronicle (Levin), 13 August 1949, Page 5
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