Convair B58 Hustler

Convair B58 Hustler
Convair B58 Hustler, a plane very much before its time. The Hustler had tremendous performance, capable of Mach 2.0 at 40,000ft and cruising for 1,500 miles unrefuelled, and this in the 1960's. Unfortunately this all came at a very high price. It is estimated that one squadron of B58 Hustlers cost as much to operate as four squadrons of B47s, or twice as much as a squadron of B52s.

There was also a very high price to pay in complexity, difficulty in keeping it serviceable and also keeping it under control. An engine failure at high speed was likely to result in the loss of the aircraft. Something approaching 1/3 of all Hustlers were destroyed in accidents. At full power and low speed, the acceleration was so high that "fuel stacking" could occur, in which the fuel would be thrown to the back of the large tanks, causing a massive C of G change and causing a potentially disasterous nose up movement.

The 60 degree wing sweepback caused similar aerodynamic problems making the Hustler a very difficult aeroplane to keep under control. And so, alas, one of the great aeroplanes of aviation history became a museum piece. This Hustler was photographed at Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson, Arizona. See also Convairs B36 Peacemaker, also from Pima Air & Space Museum.

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