A better career for the B-32 Dominator?

[Default Setting]

The Consolidated B-32 Dominator was a fallback design in case the B-29 proved unsatisfactory, and since that wasn't the case, it remained an also-ran with a low production run, a short career and unresolved issues (such as trouble with the pressurization system). But what if it had had its chance, perhaps by being cleared for export? (specifically, I'm thinking of it being purchased by a China that doesn't go Communist and is in its own state of cold war with the USSR, but any other country will do). Would later versions have solved the various problems?

[sandiego89]

I do have a soft spot for the B-32, and think it would be an excellent WHIF subject, and like most other designs that had problems, they too likely would have been rectified, or least worked around. 

There would likely be some reluctance to export a heavy bomber to some countries, but with a few WHIF wand waving perhaps there could be:

-USSR lend lease- Eastern front drags on, give the Soviet allies a product deemed inferior than the B-29 (like was done for the Cobra)
-UK. instead of the B-29 Washington's.
-France, after D-day, but things drag on, but French aviation industry has been decimated & rendered obsolete.
-Late 40's, Argentina, Brazil, Canada- to replace tired Lancasters.
-US Navy as a Privateer replacement for long range patrol. Would look great in glossy blue.
-Isreali- would look great in sand and spinach!
-Firebomber
-Tanker
-Radar picket like a EC-121

[Snowtrooper]

Most importantly, keep the original name - "Terminator".

Then they decided it didn't sound enough like freedom, so they came up with the most certainly democratic-sounding "Dominator".

[KJ_Lesnick]

Default Setting

The Consolidated B-32 Dominator was a fallback design in case the B-29 proved unsatisfactory, and since that wasn't the case, it remained an also-ran with a low production run, a short career and unresolved issues (such as trouble with the pressurization system).

What caused the pressurization problems out of curiosity?


Snowtrooper

Most importantly, keep the original name - "Terminator".

I agree

Then they decided it didn't sound enough like freedom, so they came up with the most certainly democratic-sounding "Dominator". 

Yeah, the only thing "democratic" about the B-32 is that the targets were mostly the population itself

[kitnut617]

I've got an Xotic 1/72 kit in the stash --- should get and build it sometime as I like the looks of the aircraft too.

[NARSES2]

Most importantly, keep the original name - "Terminator".

Never knew that, cheers 

I've always had a soft spot for the aircraft as well and I do like the suggestion of using it in the Maritime role.

[zenrat]

It has one heck of a tall vertical tail.

[NARSES2]

Did Anigrand do a resin kit ? Memory says yes, but I need to check

[zenrat]

I think I saw one when I was googling B-32.

[kitnut617]

Did Anigrand do a resin kit ? Memory says yes, but I need to check

Yup!

http://www.anigrand.com/AA2083_B-32.htm

The Xotic one is multi-media, all the big bits are injection with some white metal detail parts and a few vacuformed bits.

[Captain Canada]

Navy patrol

[PR19_Kit]

It has one heck of a tall vertical tail.

Compared to a B-29 it seems quite a bit shorter but has lots of side area forward, and those engine nacelles look massive too. Mind you, Convair always seemed to like big fins, the Privateer being a case in point.

[Default Setting]

Most importantly, keep the original name - "Terminator".

That would have been an awesome name indeed. Changing it was a stupid idea.

It has one heck of a tall vertical tail.

Apparently the original twin tail, inherited from the B-24, resulted in stability issues. But I've always wondered why the B-29 and B-32 needed such a huge vertical tail.

[PR19_Kit]

It has one heck of a tall vertical tail.

Apparently the original twin tail, inherited from the B-24, resulted in stability issues. But I've always wondered why the B-29 and B-32 needed such a huge vertical tail.

And it got even larger on the B-50. The main difference between the B-50 and the B-29 were the engines, much more side area on the B-50's engines. The B-32's engines seem to be deeper than the B-29's too.

[Librarian]

I was damn lucky to have a chat with a couple of B-29 pilots. One of the things they mentioned was that tail. The plane was stable under normal conditions but if you lost an engine, specifically an outer one, you needed every square foot of that tail to keep flying. They had terrible problems with the teething problems too, engine fires were a constant problem. Engines could also go Basrah and even rip a wing off.