B-58 Hustler
WEB SITE
Information and images concerning the B-58 Hustler.
THE B-58 “HUSTLER”
No bomber made so definite a break with the past as the B-58. The world’s first supersonic bomber, the Hustler was ordered by the Air Force in 1954, the same year that Fort Worth produced the last B-36. From the beginning of its operational career, the Hustler set a string of performance records that may never be matched by another military bomber.
Alone in its class, the B-58 could fly faster than twice the speed of sound, pinpoint targets from an altitude of 60,000 feet, and avoid radar in low-level near-supersonic flight at 500 feet and below. At altitude, the B-58 could cruise at higher speeds than any other bomber in the free world. The Hustler was powered by four General Electric J-79 engines, each delivering 15,000 pounds of thrust in afterburner. The B-58 could fly more than 4,500 miles without refueling. With aerial refueling, the aircraft was a true intercontinental bomber. Its electronic bombing and navigation system was ten times more precise than its predecessors, required only two-thirds the space, and weighed just half as much as earlier systems.
The B-58 dramatically reversed the trend toward ever larger bomber aircraft. Helping to minimize the size was a jettisonable pod under the fuselage that held both the payload, which varied according to the mission, and extra fuel. To reduce drag, the “area rule” principle was applied to the design of the B-58 fuselage, giving it a sleek shape. Strong honeycomb skin material reduced aircraft weight and allowed the bomber to withstand the high temperatures caused by wind friction. The unique structure also lessened the susceptibility of material failures due to sonic fatigue.
On December 1, 1959, the first production Hustler left the division and was taken across the runway to Carswell AFB. B-58 production ended two years later, after 116 planes had been built (including eight TB-58 pilot trainers). The Air Force retired the B-58 in January 1970. The Hustler was built by Convair which later became General Dynamics.
This site operated by Darrell R. Schmidt, a former B-58 pilot. To respond or offer suggestions, click on the envelope icon at the bottom of this page.
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(2006-2012)
This document contains 6 years of entries
so it may take a while to load...have patience
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old Guestbook(Jan ’02 –Mar ‘06
View older Guestbook(July '98-Jan '02)
View oldest Guestbook (July '97-July "98)
BOTH THE NEW AND OLD GUESTBOOKS HAVE
MUCH BACKGROUND
DATA ABOUT THE B-58 HUSTLER-DON'T
MISS VIEWING THEM!
ADDITIONAL PAGES
16 Minute B-58 video on YouTube
Clicking on this link (above) will take you to a YouTube video that discusses the
B-58 cockpits, construction, and a short flight. You can click on the lower right icon to view it full page. You can use the back arrow to return to this home page.
30 Minute B-58 video on YouTube
This is similar to the above video but also includes more information on capsules, structure, and crew pictures.
Note: I erroneously state the lower gauges on the DSO's panel are fuel
selectors for air refueling. They are really
ECM controls. The pilot's fuel panel contains the selection for fuel tank refill.
(Senior Moment)
Spring 2011 AAHS Magazine article on the B-58
AAHS = American Aviation Historical Society
(Courtesy of the AAHS with application form at the end)
You can use the back arrow to return to this home page.
HUSTLER
ARMAMENT IS SHOWN IN THIS PICTURE
4 "small" nukes fit under the
wings, 2 in tandem on each side
very near the fuselage.
The Large red/white nuke sits inside the
larger pod which holds fuel.
The resultant 2-component pod is carried
under the belly of the Hustler.
Pilot’s Cockpit
Other
Aviation Links
These are links to good sources of Military Aircraft info.
Use the back arrow to return to this site
Randy Brewer's
Hustler Page
B-58 Hustler Ejection History
B-58 Master Warning Voice Messages
B-47 Stratojet
B-52 Stratofortress
Locations
of Preserved War Planes
RoadRunners Internationale
Interactive display. Click on the MAP in the upper right hand corner to bring down a visual menu of the different sites within the museum, then click on a dot within that site to view the exhibits from that camera angle and then follow (click on) the arrows. You can run your mouse over the aircraft and it can tell you what it is and in some cases you can click it and find out even more on the plane. Clicking the button with 4 arrows coming in from the corners puts you into full screen mode. "Esc" will bring you back. WARNING: Time flies when you get immersed in this tour!
HUSTLER AFTER TAKEOFF, GEAR RETRACTION IS
STARTING
HUSTLER PAINTING PROVIDED BY
Robert B. Garrett
T/Sgt Retired USAF
To send me an E-mail, click on the envelope icon below
Darrell R. Schmidt
Lieutenant Colonel, USAF, Retired
Captain, American Airlines, Retired
This page was last updated on 3 March, 2018
There are two types of memberships available in the
B-58 Hustler Association, Inc.
1). Any person who served in any capacity
with the B-58 and
2). Any person who has an interest in
the B-58 is eligible for Associate Membership.
There is no distinction of any kind between
these two types of membership. Dues are ten (10) dollars for two years, payable
during even numbered years.
If you have questions about membership please contact:
Beth Johnson, Association Secretary
Current B-58 Association Officers
President - Harold A. Rumzek (Colleyville, TX)
Vice-President - David Sharrock (Sacramento, CA)
Secretary / Treasurer -Beth Johnson (Fort Worth, TX)
Executive Director - (Vacant at this time)
Directors
Alex Brewer (Eugene, OR)
Richard Bolcer (Fort Worth, TX)
Robert "Butch"
Sickels (Fort Worth, TX)
George Holt, Jr (Randolph, VT)
Ed Johnson (Fort Worth, TX)
George MacDonald (Phoenix, AZ)
Virgil Patterson (Arlington, TX)
Darrell Schmidt (Mission Viejo, CA)
Members are eligible to attend the B-58 reunions, held every even numbered year. Interested persons should contact the "B-58 HUSTLER ASSOCIATION, PO Box 126158, Ft Worth, TX 76126." All members receive the B-58 newsletter. To obtain a B-58 Ass’n Application click the link below.
CLICK HERE TO
VIEW/DOWNLOAD 2018 REUNION REGISTRATION
. Full information and sign-up forms are available at the official B-58 Hustler Association web site. Look for Current Newsletter link near the bottom of the page. Click on the Hustler Ass'n logo below.
New B-58 Hustler Association Home Page
Lest We Forget
FREEDOM IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR
SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
A DAY OF INFAMY
World Trade Center pictures a few days after 9-11