The idea of getting a B-36 to fly

[aircuda]

Maybe we can get some of that stimulus money that the Government is so willing to give out right now.....

[tom d. friedman]

while i voted yes, as a fantasy, i know it's a pie in the sky pipe dream. it will never happen. even bill gates couldn't pull that endeavor off money aside.

[Warbird Kid]

Couldn't the details and equipment inside a B-36 be modernized so as to lower maintenance and increase safety? I'm not talking about drastically modifying a B-36, but I think with the proper planning. (like a few years of intensive planning), some group could attempt to resurrect one of these beasts. But money and allot of time may be necessary.

[Edward Sheetmetalhands]

Given the extensive corrosion all four of the airframes have, and the complexity, I am going to say around 600,000 man hours to restore a complete one.

My SWAG is then around $50 million for labor. Parts often run the same as labor in different industries, so about $100 million bucks; plus gas and insurance!

And that is *IF* you could ever get one released let alone find someone to insure it...

[Glen]

Lets See ................If all six numbers will hit when the Power Ball is setting around 245 Million . After Taxes that might be enough to get the project going

[T J Johansen]

Transfer the AIG bonus money to such a project, and you'll have a squadron of B-36s flying in no time...

Money better spent as well...

T J

[PinecastleAAF]

Maybe it would be more economical to get a B-58 Hustler flying. I would contribute to that. Coinstar anyone?

[6trn4brn]

Nathan...what a grand idea You know how I voted Now, about those lottery tickets....

In all seriousness (or maybe not that serious) it is great to dream about getting such a magnificent bird in the air. Each time I have stood in awe in front of the example at the NMUSAF, trying to take in all of it's majesty. To see one in the air would be heavenly.

I would think that if it were brought out of the fantasy world and into reality, a few visits to the major shows like Oshkosh would be great. Limit the number of shows to limit the costs and then back to my back yard to park it for my lovely conversation piece

Darrell the consummate daydreamer (sorry Mudge)

[Jesse C.]

Spend the money on other birds that need to get back in the air.

While it would be cool to see one in the air, the cost of keeping it there would just be too much.

[Django]

It would probably be cheaper to build a Dominator from scratch.

[Edward Sheetmetalhands]

It would probably be cheaper to build a Dominator from scratch.

Actually, with some smooth-talking, we wouldn't have to build one of the outboard wings.

[old iron]

This is, frankly, just a plain (plane?) silly question. What is meant by "support"? Would I what video of it on youtube - sure! We all would. The question needs some criterion that shows a level of serious support.

How many of us would "support" by say providing $100 per head of us? I would not be able to justify that kind of support. Even $10 and the envelope and stamp and the time it takes to send it probably would not happen.

[PinecastleAAF]

True but these silly threads can be fun. Can anyone think of ANY warbird that would cost more $ and time to restore and operate than the B-36?

I'd like to see a Saturn 5 'fly' again and that ain't goin to happen either, although it might be cheaper than a B-36 resto.

[TAdan]

LZ-130 Graf Zeppelin. I know is was scrapped...just ad it to the price of the resto.