VOICE-OVER:
The Convair B-39
Peacemaker is the most formidable weapon in our Strategic Air
Command’s arsenal for peace. Powered by eight nuclear-heated Pratt
& Whitney NP-4051 turbojets, it circles endlessly above the
Arctic ice cap, waiting for the call. This is Item One, the flight
training and test bird: twelve other birds await criticality on the
ground, for once launched a B-39 can only be landed at two
airfields in Alaska that are equipped to handle them. This one’s
been airborne for nine months so far, and shows no signs of
age.