Personnel and equipment required to keep B-36 Flying

Personnel and equipment required to get and keep a B-36 airplane in the air. Reading from front to back, left to right, the personnel represent: the wing commander; the ground and squadron commanders; administrative personnel; a cook representing personnel that feed the men and prepare the food for the missions; the line chief whose responsibility it is to see that all the planes in his squadron are properly maintained; the crew chief and his crew of fifteen men; who are responsible for the maintenance on this particular aircraft; the men who fly the plane; the gasoline and oil trucks required to keep the bomber fully loaded with fuel, 21,116 gallons of gasoline and 1,200 gallons of oil; an example of a small bomb load that is usually taken on a practice mission; an ambulance that is on hand in the event of an accident; hospital personnel; a fire truck that is on hand when the plane starts its engines or making an emergency landing; and a load of oxygen bottles. (The B-36 is pressurized, however, in the event of an emergency when the plane is at a high altitude, oxygen may be used.) Others not shown in this photograph that help, are the control tower operator that clears the plane for its taxiing, takeoffs and landings; the radar and radio maintenance personnel; and the air police. (35709 A.C.)