<hi style=afpcap>The largest bomber ever to reach operational service was, not surprisingly, designed by Consolidated Vultee as the B-36 which began life in 1941. The team began work on a design which would have intercontinental range, with the prototype being rolled out in September 1945. Production orders were placed during 1944, with additional contracts issued between 1949 and 1952. Meanwhile the designers experimented with a swept wing pure jet development as the YB-60 with two prototypes being built. The aircraft was essentially similar to the B-52, although no further aircraft were ordered.</hi>
