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B-58 Hustler
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Photo: Robert Deering 1990 Meacham Airport (FTW) Fort Worth, Texas |
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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 (at the Air Force Museum) 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. |
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%20(2)%20(8X4).jpg) Photo: Robert Deering 1990 Meacham Airport (FTW) Fort Worth, Texas |
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