Tracked landing gear

[Scott Rose]

Always thought the tracked landing gear experiments were strange, I'm never seen a B-50 used though.

[maxum96]

Wasn't that a test for the B-36?

[JohnB]

Yes, and tested on C-82s too.

I have read they were developed and considered for a late 40s scheme where Russia-bound bombers would land on remote fields in Alaska, refuel, get armed before continuing their mission.
I believe this was when "special" weapons were still centrally located at a few locations (ike Kelly's Medina Annex and Fairchild's Deep Creek) In other words, not disbursed to all SAC bases.
I have only seen this mentioned a couple of times, so if anyone in knows
more, I'd be interested.

[Kyleb]

Yes, and tested on C-82s too.

I have read they were developed and considered for a late 40s scheme where Russia-bound bombers would land on remote fields in Alaska, refuel, get armed before continuing their mission.

Never seen that. Makes some sense.

As difficult as it is to keep belts in alignment on things like belt sanders and conveyors, I'd hate to be a maintainer on aircraft with belted landing gear.

[Randy Wilson]

Found a couple of links with some info on tracked landing gear. FYI. Randy

https://www.afmc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1919691/history-of-aircraft-track-landing-gear/

https://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/wait-the-b-36-peacemaker-flew-with-tank-tracks-for-lan-1638780957

Edit: Found this image on page 19 of "Convair B-36 Peacemaker; A Photo Chronicle" by Meyers K. Jacobsen.

[Mark Allen M]

I've posted these before.


Douglas A-20H-10-DO (TA-20H) in flight after the installation of an experimental tracked main landing gear. (U.S. Air Force photo)


A-20H Havoc (serial number 44-466)


Douglas A-20H-10-DO (TA-20H) in flight after the installation of an experimental tracked main landing gear. (U.S. Air Force photo)


Close up of experimental 'tracked' landing gear for a TA-20-H


Convair XB-36. (U.S. Air Force photo)


Front view of Convair XB-36 as it prepares for a taxi test through a grass field. (U.S. Air Force photo)








B-36 tracked gear.


B-36 tracked gear.


Boeing B-50B-40-BO Superfortres 47-118 cn 15802 retained by Boeing as EB-50B, tested with caterpillar track undercarriage, camera mount boom, other tests



Boeing B-50 with tracks.




XP-40 No. 38-10 at Wright Field.


XP-40 No. 38-10 at Wright Field.

[bdk]

If you thought a B-36 used a lot of runway already, just wait until you operate it off of grass!

[Archer]

Do you mean the off-airport landing at Boscombe Down?

[bdk]

Do you mean the off-airport landing at Boscombe Down?

Yikes!