B-58A Hustler

s/n 55-666

The Convair B-58 Hustler was the world’s first supersonic nuclear bomber. It set 19 speed and altitude records, won six aviation trophies, and released the first bombs at speeds of MACH 1 and MACH 2. Though revolutionary, the B-58 was plagued with technical problems and high costs, limiting total production to only 116 aircraft. These aircraft equipped the 43rd and 305th Bomb Wings, but never saw active combat. The B-58’s operational service with the United States Air Force lasted from 1960-1969.

HISTORY

1958, March --  Built at Convair in Fort Worth, Texas, and took its first flight.

1958, 8 November  -- GE J79-GE-5 jet engine test aircraft and flew 32 minutes at Mach 2.

1959, 29 April -- Delivered  to the USAF as a YB-58A-CF, but  retained by Convair as test and  evaluation YRB- 58A aircraft.

1962, 16 August  -- Made longest B-58 early test program flight of 11 hours 15 minutes.

1962, November --  Assigned to the 6510th Operational Maintenance Squadron (AF Systems Command), Edwards AFB, CA.1964, May -- Assigned to 3345th Maintenance & Support Group (ATC),
Chanute AFB, IL as GRB-58A.

1967 --  Transferred to museum status.

The current  nose art on B-58A, s/n 55-666, depicts that of B58A, s/n 61-2059, “Greased Lightning” assigned to the 305th Bomb Wing. On October 16, 1962, B58A, s/n 61-2059 flew nonstop (with airborne refueling) 8028 miles  from Tokyo to London in 8 hours and 35 minutes.

This aircraft is on loan to the Chanute Air Museum from the National Museum of the United States Air Force.