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B-58 Hustler

The Convair B-58 was the world's first supersonic bomber, and the first to reach Mach 2. The delta-winged B-58 made its initial flight on November 11, 1956.

B-58 Hustler of the United States Air ForceB-58 Hustler
Photo courtesy of the U.S. Air Force

The service ceiling was 60,000 feet, and it had a range of 4,100 miles. It set 19 world speed and altitude records, and won five different aviation trophies.

B-58 Hustler Specifications

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.
Weight: 163,000 lbs. maximum

B-58 Survivors

Only 116 of the B-58 were built, 30 trial aircraft and 86 production B-58A models. It had an unfavorably high accident rate, with 26 B-58 aircraft being lost in accidents. The last one was retired from service in 1970.

Today, eight survive and are displayed in the United States at these locations:

  • Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson ... the last Hustler to be delivered (shown below)
  • National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio
  • Grisson Air Museum
  • Edwards Air Force Base in California
  • Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas
  • Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas
  • Strategic Air and Space Museum
  • Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum

Photos Courtesy of the Author

Convair B-58A Hustler bomber S/N 61-2080 at the Pima Air Museum in Tucson, Arizona
Convair B-58A Hustler bomber S/N 61-2080 at the Pima Air Museum in Tucson, Arizona
Convair B-58A Hustler with the "Can Do" shield
and the markings of the 305th Bombardment Wing, Grissom AFB, Indiana, 1969
Displayed at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson
Convair B-58A Hustler with the "Can Do" shield and the markings of the 305th Bombardment Wing, Grissom AFB, Indiana, 1969
Undercarriage and engines of the Convair B-58A Hustler at the Pima Air Museum
Undercarriage and engines of the Convair B-58A Hustler at the Pima Air Museum

B-58 Hustler Photos Courtesy of the U.S. Air Force

B-58 Hustler of the United States Air Force (Air Force photo)
B-58 Hustler of the United States Air Force
B-58 Hustler of the United States Air Force (Air Force photo)
B-58 Hustler of the United States Air Force
B-58 Hustler of the United States Air Force (Air Force photo)
B-58 Hustler of the United States Air Force
Convair B-58 Hustler S/N 92460 in flight (vintage postcard)
Convair B-58 Hustler S/N 92460 in flight
Convair B-58 Hustler (photo courtesy of the Museum of the US Air Force)
Convair B-58 Hustler

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