Convair B-58A Hustler.....(for Steelrazer) by debbielove ()

Photography • Aviation • posted on Jan 15, 2013

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Description

Greetings..

This is for Steelrazer because....he posted an EXCELLENT Render of one of these beauties! It is without dought a stunning aircraft, and I'd longed to see one until, the Grand Tour!, and Young Bill! (Thanks Bill!)

This was taken at the USAF Museum at Dayton, Ohio, and here is some of the info from there site..

The U.S. Air Force's first operational supersonic bomber, the B-58 made its initial flight on Nov. 11, 1956. In addition to the Hustler's delta wing shape, distinctive features included a sophisticated inertial guidance navigation and bombing system, a slender 'wasp-waist' fuselage and an extensive use of heat-resistant honeycomb sandwich skin panels in the wings and fuselage. Since the thin fuselage prevented the carrying of bombs internally, a droppable, two-component pod beneath the fuselage contained a nuclear weapon -- along with extra fuel, reconnaissance equipment or other specialized gear. The B-58 crew consisted of a pilot, navigator/bombardier and defense systems operator..

Convair built 116 B-58s: 30 test and pre-production aircraft and 86 for operational service. Hustlers flew in the Strategic Air Command between 1960 and 1970. Setting 19 world speed and altitude records, B-58s also won five different aviation trophies.

The B-58A on display set three speed records while flying from Los Angeles to New York and back on March 5, 1962. For this effort, the crew received the Bendix and Mackay Trophies for 1962. It was flown to the museum in December 1969.

STAT TIME:
Armament: One 20mm cannon in tail; nuclear weapons in pod or on under-wing pylons
Engines: Four General Electric J79s of 15,000 lbs. thrust each (with afterburner)
Maximum speed: 1,325 mph
Range: 4,400 miles without aerial refueling
Ceiling: 64,800 ft.
Span: 56 ft. 10 in.
Length: 96 ft. 10 in.
Height: 31 ft. 5 in.

The top photo has been seen a LONG time ago but has been re done in photo shop and Picasa 3.. The bottom has not been seen before..

Enjoy
Rob

PS: Neil, the plant should build one of these BUT do not let 'Tailspin' near it!
Rob

Image Comments (19)

flavia49 () posted at 11:30AM Tue, 15 January 2013

fabulous capture

magnus073 () posted at 11:33AM Tue, 15 January 2013

This is such a cool aircraft, and I enjoyed these amazing captures of it Rob. The lighting for these photos is perfect, as it serves to highlight the plane so well. Thanks also for providing the detailed background information

auntietk () posted at 11:47AM Tue, 15 January 2013

I knew this was Dayton just by the lighting! Excellent pictures!

jayfar () posted at 1:16PM Tue, 15 January 2013

Absolutely superb Rob and thanks for the info.

steelrazer () posted at 1:53PM Tue, 15 January 2013

Wow, what great picks. It must have been totally awesome standing next to this baby, to say nothing of hopping in the cockpit and taking to the sky with it. Thanks, Rob, great pics. I wholeheartedly agree that this would be a great project for the plant down at Neiwil Hollow by the Glen...my vote is in for all its worth! You are correct about tailspin too, Rob...but, the weapons pod is quite a spacious alternative for him.

Buffalo1 () posted at 2:31PM Tue, 15 January 2013

Superb airplane and photos.

Darq01 () posted at 3:14PM Tue, 15 January 2013

One of my fav planes of the era. I have almost the same pic. I don't live all that far from the museum. They have some great displays. Great pic as it is dark in this part of the hanger. Did you make it to the other side of the air field to see some planes that they don't have room for? I will post some later if I can find them. Great plane and super great shot.

goodoleboy () posted at 5:09PM Tue, 15 January 2013

OMG, this aircraft is the same color, caramel, as the 1951 Mercury I recently posted! Anyway, excellent POVs, lighting and detail in these stellar shots of probably the most beautiful bomber ever manufactured. Basically, the big brother to the Convair F-102 and F-106 fighters, with their delta wing, wasp waist, tail configuration, etc. I was so sorry to see it go, and wish it had lasted as long as the B-52. Well done, mate.

neiwil () posted at 6:23PM Tue, 15 January 2013

Fantastic !! and great companion to Bills render. I'm still amazed by how dark they have this place, but I suppose it makes it quite interesting if you can't see whats in the distance.... I'll pass this on to the Jet Division and see what they think....though anything with nuclear capability makes everybody nervous unless Tailspin is on his annual leave....I may suggest an extended trip in XL5, provided he gets his license back next week :-)

Faemike55 () posted at 7:26PM Tue, 15 January 2013

of all the aircraft that I read about, this one and the Vigilante were the top two. Thanks for the photos and information

blinkings () posted at 8:03PM Tue, 15 January 2013

EXCELLENT post Rob. If you have the time you might enjoy this HERE

tigertim () posted at 2:25AM Wed, 16 January 2013

Awesome pair of photo's... a real beaut.. got to say, I do like the hangar lighting.. prob not the best for photgraphy,but does give a great "operational' air to the place.!.. Nice one Rob.

dakotabluemoon () posted at 6:44AM Wed, 16 January 2013

Wow Rob what a show piece this is simply beautiful with the amber lights.

Maxidyne () posted at 9:04AM Wed, 16 January 2013

The hanger light really suits this Rob and it looks huge!!! Nice a shiny too, I don't envy the guy who has to polish that :)

bmac62 () posted at 8:00PM Wed, 16 January 2013

One of my favorites too. You and I spent so many hours clicking away in there (at least 14) I still feel like I know the place better than any other air museum I've been in. Great shots!

RodS () posted at 9:18PM Wed, 16 January 2013

A really sweet shot of this B-58, Rob! I really love the play of the light on the fuselage in both of these photos! Super capture of a beautiful plane!