Landing gear strut of a B-36 Peacemaker

A mechanic hangs off the main landing gear strut of a B-36 Peacemaker. The payload for this aircraft was 86,000 lb (39,000 kg), which is more than the empty weight of the B-29 – meaning that, if it could fit, it could carry an entire B-29, or more than two B-17s in its bomb bay.

There are many details in this photo. Shock strut, chocks, main landing gear. They have changed a lot today. What interests is how the mechanic got to the area where he works. It gives clues about the safe working style of an aircraft technician in the early 1950s.

By – Alessandro Rodolfo