Magnesium Overcast: The Story of the Convair B-36 (Hardcover)

by Dennis R. Jenkins (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
I'm certain enthusiasts everywhere will welcome these affordable reprints of landmark titles. If you missed any of them the first time around, you're in luck now. All three deserve spots in every aviation library. Strongly recommended. ---Model Aicraft Monthly, reviewed by David L. Veres, March 2009

If you have any interest whatsoever in the B-36, this is a book you cannot do without. Quite simply, this is the absolute best and most detailed coverage of the B-36 you will ever find. ---Internet Modeler, reviewed by Chris Banyai-Riepl, September 2008

This is THE B-36 book, worthy of a place on the shelves of both modellers and armchair historians. ---Hyperscale, reviewed by Rodger Kelly, January 2009 --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description
The Convair B-36 "Peacemaker" sparked more controversy than any weapon system ever built until the ill-fated Star Wars system of the late 1980s.

Extensive research has uncovered new details about the B-36 and its derivatives. This new volume includes a detailed serial number list that covers each airplane and its final disposition. An entire chapter covers the efforts to reclaim and scrap the aircraft as they were taken out of service. For aviation enthusiasts and modelers.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 276 pages
• Publisher: Specialty Press (April 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580070426
• ISBN-13: 978-1580070423
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 10.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #548,576 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This One' s a Keeper!, December 7, 2001

By	Jim Rotramel (Lexington Park, MD USA) - See all my reviews

Already owning several books on the B-36, including Jacobsen's "Convair B-36", I almost passed on "Magnesium Overcast". I'm really glad I didn't. In addition to some very interesting historical background that I wasn't aware of, it has a lot of great photos and drawings I haven't seen in other publications. Some of them are a little small, but the paper quality is excellent so that isn't the problem it would be in with a lesser quality product. And the color section is just stunning, with quite a number of operational photos I haven't seen before. The weapon section defines the bomb bay modifications required to carry various weapons, when they were made, and to how many aircraft. It also covers various nuclear weapon tests and the B-36's participation in them. There is also extensive coverage on the defensive gun installations. The great thing is that it's highly readable and well organized, too. Highly recommended!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnesium Overcast, March 16, 2002

By	Paul Flaherty (Durham, Maine United States) - See all my reviews

An excellent and long overdue book. Covers all aspects of the B-36,except possibly the crews experiences,but that is for a different book. Many,many rare photos. Sections on the XC-99 and YB-60 are "bonuses".

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The "benchmark" B-36 book!!, January 10, 2002

By A Customer

Finally! The B-36 book I've waited decades for. I liked the first-person accounts in Jacobsen's "Convair B-36" but was a little disappointed with the technical coverage. "Magnesium Overcast" tells the story of the aircraft with text and tremendous photo coverage. The photos of the 1952 tornado damage are especially interesting. I knew there had to be photos out there somewhere! This is a book I'll refer to many times. Thanks Mr. Jenkins!!