General Characteristics

• Crew: 3: pilot; observer (navigator, radar operator, bombardier); defense system operator (DSO; electronic countermeasures operator and pilot assistant).
• Length: 96 ft 10 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

Performance

• Maximum speed: Mach 2.0 (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: 4,100 nmi (4,700 mi, 7,600 km)
• Service ceiling: 63,400 ft (19,300 m)
• Rate of climb: 17,400 ft/min (88 m/s) at gross weight
• Wing loading: 44.0 lb/ft² (215 kg/m²)
• Thrust/weight: 0.919 lbf/lb
• Lift-to-drag ratio: 11.3 (without weapons/fuel pod)

Armament

• Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.79 in) T171 cannon
• Bombs: 4× B43 or B61 nuclear bombs; maximum weapons load was 19,450 lb (8,820 kg)

Avionics

• AN/APB-2 Bombing radar
• AN/APN-110 Doppler navigational radar (part of Sperry AN/ASQ-42 Navigation & Bombing System)
• AN/APN-170 Terrain-following radar
• AN/APR-12 Radar warning receiver
• Hughes Aircraft AN/APQ-69 podded side-looking aperture radar (mounted on RB-58A)
• Goodyear AN/APS-73 podded synthetic aperture radar (mounted on RB-58A)

• XB-58: Prototype; two built.
• YB-58A: Pre-production aircraft, 11 built.
• B-58A: Three-seat medium-range strategic bomber aircraft, 86 built.
• TB-58A: Training aircraft, eight conversions from YB-58A.
• NB-58A: This designation was given to a YB-58A, which was used for testing the J93 engine. The engine was originally intended for the North American XB-70 Valkyrie Mach 3 bomber.
• RB-58A: Variant with ventral reconnaissance pod, 17 built.
• B-58B: Unbuilt version. SAC planned to order 185 of these improved bombers which had uprated J79-GE-9 engines, a stretched fuselage for extra fuel capacity, canards and could carry conventional weapons. A prototype B-58B was ordered (S/N 60-1109), but the entire project was canceled before construction began, due to budgetary considerations. The B variant was also planned to be the “mothership” for a Mach 4 parasite called the FISH (for First Invisible Super Hustler). Because It was to be faster and larger than the B-58A, it could carry the FISH instead of the external pod. At an altitude of at least 35,000 feet (11,000 metres) at speeds in excess of Mach 2 the FISHs three ramjet engines could be started. The Super Hustler would then disengage from the B-58B and climb up to 90,000 feet (27,000 metres) and accelerate to Mach 4.2 to complete its mission.
• B-58C: Unbuilt 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 (21,300 m) along with the capability of carrying conventional bombs. Convair estimated maximum range at 5,200 nautical miles (6,000 mi; 9,600 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 canceled in early 1961.

Convair B-58 Hustler – Champion of Champions – James Stewart

The supersonic Convair B-58 Hustler stars in this ultimate Cold War propaganda film. Veteran actor James Stewart (BrigGen U.S. Air Force Reserve) co-stars in this tribute to SAC and the Hustler, and gives a not-too-subliminal message to the Soviets.

B-58 Hustler Wins the Bendix Trophy (Restored Color -1962)

On March 5th, 1962, Capt Robert G Sauer & his crew in “Tall Man 55” took off from Carswell AFB, Fort Worth, Texas to break three transcontinental speed records in one day, over 4,500 miles in “Operation Heat Rise.” The starting gate was Los Angeles, where the Hustler topped up her fuel. Along the way, she slowed briefly again for quick in air refuels, shown in detail, and reached New York City in just 2 hours & 56 seconds. Then, back to the West Coast, nonstop in 2hrs 15 minutes. The round trip was a total of 4 hours 41 minutes, including refueling, and all three times were transcontinental speed record.

B-58 Hustler First Test Flight (Restored Color – 1956)

A pilot once said of the Convair B-58, “She looked like she was breaking the sound barrier just sitting on the tarmac.”At Mach 2 +, the B-58 wasn’t just one of the fastest bombers of her day, she was one of the fastest military planes period. A first cousin of the hot “century series” of fighters, the delta winged “Hustler’ medium bomber combined outstanding performance with a striking, javelin-like profile that spawned a mystique that survives to this day. In the early 1960s, at the height of the Cold War, in just two years the B-58 captured 14 speed and performance records, many previously held by Soviet aircraft. She was not only capable of extended 700 mph on-the deck missions at 500 feet (then unheard of for a bomber and without the advantages of today’s ground hugging radar or fly-by-wire) she also set altitude and climb records. The B-58 was capable of doing whatever was necessary to invade enemy air space. In this video, you will see both the low and high speed taxi testing, including front wheel lift off, that proceeded the B-58’s first flight, delivering excellent footage of the silvery prototype from a number of angles. The first flight takes the aircraft to Mach .7 at 20,000′ and back down again without a hitch.

Ken Smith – Convair B-58 Hustler pilot

Ken Smith, retired SAC B-58 pilot, describes his experiences with the Convair B-58 HUSTLER supersonic bomber.

Charlie Hooker – Convair B-58 Hustler pilot

Charlie Hooker describes his experiences with the Convair B-58 HUSTLER.

“Escape and Survive” – B-58 Hustler Escape Module Development

“Escape and Survive” B-58 escape module development. Third of a series, this one by Convair and Stanley Aeronautics Corp.

Convair B-58 Hustler Low Level Bombing Capabilities

The mach 2 Convair B-58 HUSTLER was the vanguard of low-level bombing techniques used in later aircraft. This old film, salvaged from antiquainted 2″ studio tape, reveals the capabilities of this amazing 1950s aircraft.

Convair B-58 HUSTLER supersonic ejection tests

This short film details ejection tests using bears and small primates which resulted in a successful supersonic ejection of a human.

B-58 Hustler Aircraft Description

This is a video with voice over describing the B-58 Hustler, the 4 jet-engine mach 2 bomber, and a short flight depiction.

B-58 Hustler First Flight, 1956

The first flight of the Convair B-58 in 1956 is documented in this film. This footage is taken from the rocket.aero DVD “Hustler: The B-58 Bomber.”

Convair B-58 HUSTLER Flight Control Systems Part 2

Convair B-58 “Hustler” MITO Tests (Restored Color 1963)

There’s some beautiful color B-58 Hustler take-off footage here, shot from many angles, including overhead helicopter shots of dual launches and afterburners lighting up the night. I digitally restored the color.
During the depths of the Cold War, SAC bombers had only 15 to 20-minutes to get airborne between the launch of enemy missiles and their arrival at US targets. That meant that the ability get US air forces on their way quickly and efficiently was absolutely essential for survivability, striking power and deterrence. A critical element in this quick response was “MITO” – “Minimum Interval Take-Off.” This involved determining the optimum interval between the launching aircraft to achieve the fastest possible deployment, while avoiding jet thrust and wing turbulence from preceding aircraft while allowing an adequate safety margin in case an individual plane had to abort. In January, 1963, SAC B-58 units conducted a series of tests to determine optimum MITO for the Hustler for day and night launches, singly and in pairs, with up to a half dozen B-58s queuing up on the flight line.

Convair B-58 Hustler 1960 propaganda film “Tall Man 55”

One of many Cold War propaganda films. This one about the B-58 HUSTLER supersonic bomber, meant to strike fear into the hearts and minds of the Soviets.

First Tactical B-58 Hustler

This selection “Aircraft #31,” highlights delivery of the first tactical B-58 bomber, and is taken from the rocket.aero DVD “Hustler: The B-58 Bomber.”

B-58 Hustler Low Level Bombing

The low-level bombing capabilities of the B-58 are highlighted in this footage, taken from the rocket.aero DVD “Hustler: The B-58 Bomber.”

B-58 Air Launched Ballistic Missile

In addition to its role as a bomber, the B-58 was considered as a potential platform for air launched ballistic missiles, as shown in this archival film. This footage is taken from the rocket.aero DVD “Hustler: The B-58 Bomber.”

George Haloulakos discusses the B-58 Hustler at the San Diego Air and Space Museum

Author and lecturer George Haloulakos discusses the Convair B-58 Hustler and its operational involvement in the Cold War, specifically the Cuban Missile Crisis. Mr. Haloulakos is a University of California San Diego professor who uses the B-58 and its history and usage as a featured subject in his game theory class.