B-36A at the 1948 Air Age Exhibition. A McDonnell XF-85 Goblin parasite fighter, built here at Lambert Field, is displayed with the bomber but note that the XF-85 was probably never actually carried by a B-36. Three days earlier on 14 October 1948, test pilot Edwin Schoch had managed the first successful hook-up with a B-29 over Muroc Dry Lake in the second XF-85 airframe. This Goblin may therefore be assumed to be the first, 46-523, repaired after falling from a crane during wind tunnel testing at Moffett Field. Photo from: McDonnell

The third B-36 and the first production aircraft made its maiden flight before the YB-36 on 28 August 1947. Its second and last flight was two days later to Wright-Patterson AFB where it was ground-tested to destruction. Photo from: San Diego Air & Space Museum

Hundreds of people walked to the north end of SFO for a first look at the huge B-36. It was part of the San Francisco Air Fair celebration.