Originally Posted by
Pontius Navigator
More likely they could not fly slowly enough to intercept the B36.
Yes, I have read several accounts of jet interceptors that would fall off trying to get into a shooting position, or just get high enough for a B-36 intercept, but they could not maneuver at all. The B-36 could do a gentle turn and the fighter would fall out of the sky trying to match the turn. Intercepts had to be timed perfectly and early 36 crews felt rather safe.