B-58 Hustler
1. - Development
The Convair B-58 Hustler was the first operational supersonic jet bomber, and the first capable of Mach 2 flight.
The aircraft was developed for the United States Air Force for service in the Strategic Air Command (SAC) during the late 1950s. Originally intended to fly at high altitudes and speeds to avoid Soviet fighters, the introduction of highly accurate Soviet surface-to-air missiles forced the B-58 into a low-level penetration role that severely limited its range and strategic value. This led to a brief operational career between 1960 and 1969. Its specialized role was succeeded by other American supersonic bombers, such as the FB-111A and the later B-1B Lancer.
The B-58 received a great deal of notoriety due to its sonic boom, which was often heard by the public as it passed overhead in supersonic flight.
Edit2. - Serial #'s
B-58 Hustler - SerialsEdit3. - Operational History
Edit4. - Variants
XB-58 Prototype. Two built.
YB-58APre-production aircraft, 11 built.
B-58AThree-seat medium-range strategic bomber aircraft, 86 built.
TB-58ATraining aircraft, eight conversions from YB-58A.
NB-58AThis designation was given to a YB-58A, which was used for testing the J93 engine. The engine was originally intended for the XB-70 Valkyrie Mach 3 bomber.
RB-58AVariant with ventral reconnaissance pod, 17 built.
B-58BUnbuilt version. SAC planned to order 185 of these improved bombers; cancelled due to budgetary considerations.
B-58CUnbuilt version. Enlarged version with more fuel and 32,500 lbf (145 kN) J58, the same engine used on the Lockheed SR-71. Design studies were conducted with two and four engine designs, the C model had an estimated top speed approaching Mach 3, a supersonic cruise capability of approximately Mach 2, and a service ceiling of about 70,000 ft ( m) along with the capability of carrying conventional bombs. Convair estimated maximum range at 5,984 mi (5,200 nmi, 9,630 km). The B-58C was proposed as a lower cost alternative to the North American XB-70. As enemy defenses against high-speed, high-altitude penetration bombers improved, the value of the B-58C diminished and the program was cancelled in early 1961
Edit5. - Technical Specifications
General characteristicsCrew: 3: pilot; observer (navigator, radar operator, bombardier); defense system operator (DSO; electronic countermeasures operator and pilot assistant).
Length: 96 ft 9 in (29.5 m)
Wingspan: 56 ft 9 in (17.3 m)
Height: 29 ft 11 in (8.9 m)
Wing area: 1,542 ft² (143.3 m²)
Airfoil: NACA 0003.46-64.069 root, NACA 0004.08-63 tip
Empty weight: 55,560 lb (25,200 kg)
Loaded weight: 67,871 lb (30,786 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 176,890 lb (80,240 kg)
Powerplant: 4× General Electric J79-GE-5A turbojet Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0068
Drag area: 10.49 ft² (0.97 m²)
Aspect ratio: 2.09
PerformanceMaximum speed: Mach 2.0
26 (1,319mph) at 40,000 ft (12,000 m)
Cruise speed: 610 mph (530 kn, 985 km/h)
Combat radius: 1,740 mi (1,510 nmi, 3,220 km)
Ferry range: 4,720 mi (4,100 nmi, 7,590 km)
Service ceiling: 63,400 ft (19,300 m)
Rate of climb: 17,400 ft/min (5,310 m/min) at gross weight
27Wing loading: 44.01 lb/ft² (214.9 kg/m²)
Thrust/weight: 0.919
Lift-to-drag ratio: 11.3 (without weapons/fuel pod)
ArmamentGuns: 1 × 20 mm (0.79 in) T171 cannon
Bombs: 4 × B-43 or B61 nuclear bombs; maximum weapons load was 19,450 lb (8,823 kg)
Edit6. - Operators
Edit7. - Survivors
Today there are eight B-58 survivors:
TB-58A AF Serial No. 55-0663, at the Grissom Air Museum, Grissom Air Reserve Base (former Bunker Hill AFB/former Grissom AFB), Peru, Indiana (Oldest :Remaining Aircraft... fourth B-58 Built)
YB-58A AF Serial No. 55-0665 at Edwards Air Force Base,California ("Snoopy")...this aircraft is abandoned on the Edwards AFB range and is in poor :condition.
YB-58AAF Serial No. 55-0666 the Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum (former Chanute AFB), Rantoul, Illinois
TB-58A AF Serial No. 55-0668 Lone Star Flight Museum, Galveston, Texas ("Wild Child II")
B-58A AF serial No 59-2437 Lackland AFB/Kelly Field Annex (former Kelly Air Force Base), San Antonio, Texas ("Firefly II")
B-58A AF Serial No. 59-2458 National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio ("Cowtown Hustler") This :aircraft flew from Los Angeles to New York and back on 5 March, 1962, setting three separate speed records, and earning the crew the Bendix Trophy :and the Mackay Trophy for 1962. The aircraft was flown to the Museum on 1 March, 1969.
23 The aircraft is on display in the Museum's Cold War :gallery.
AF Serial No. 61-2059 Strategic Air and Space Museum, Ashland, Nebraska, ("Greased Lightning", which averaged 938 mph flying from Tokyo to London.)
B-58A AF Serial No. 61-2080 Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson, Arizona (Last B-58 to be delivered)
Edit8. - Links
Edit9. - Markings
Edit10. - References
http://www.b-58.com