B-58 Hustler: The Champion of Champions
On October 14, 1947, U.S. Air Force Captain Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager piloted the Bell X-1 and became the first man to fly faster than the speed of sound (Mach 1). Incredibly, three short years afterward, the U. S. Air Force contracted Convair (Consolidated Vultee Aircraft, a division of General Dynamics) to investigate the concept of a bomber that could attack targets three-to-four thousand miles away, and travel at 1.5 times the speed of sound. Their engineering culminated with the USAF’s first supersonic bomber, the B-58 “Hustler.”
Convair competed with Boeing, whose concept was a swept-wing aircraft similar to the B-47, with a crew of three, and powered by four engines mounted near the wing roots. Conviar’s design, on the other hand, began as a delta-winged parasite aircraft that could be carried underneath their B-36 Peacemaker. Once released, the parasite would use its proposed five engines to reach Mach 1.3, and would accelerate to Mach 1.5 before releasing its nuclear warhead pod and flying clear of the combat area. The Boeing design was rejected in 1952 because it did not meet the desired Mach number requirement. And Convair’s parasite concept was deemed to be too risky, so it was changed to a conventional, stand-alone bomber that could reach its target using air refueling. Convair won a full-scale, Phase I development contract, with the plane receiving the designation of B-58. After making several design changes, the “Hustler’s” first flight happened on November 11, 1956, from the Conviar’s Fort Worth, Texas, facility.
B-58s and their crews wasted no time setting speed records, and won five major aeronautical trophies (the Bendix Trophy, Thompson Trophy, Bleriot Trophy, Mackay Trophy, and the Harmon Trophy).
Convair B-58 Hustler Artwork by John Matthews
“Desert Hustle”
On September 18, 1958, Convair Chief Test Pilot Beryl Erickson flew a freshly produced B-58 Hustler (s/n 58-1015) on a 700 MPH dash from Carswell AFB (Fort Worth), Texas, to Edwards AFB, California. The 1,400 mile flight took two hours, and was flown at altitudes not exceeding 500 feet. The flight demonstrated the Hustler was very capable of stable performance in the low altitude, high speed flight regime over various types of terrain to strike a target.
My artwork, “Desert Hustle,” shows ‘1015 streaking past desert buttes and over the barren terrain at approximately 300 feet on its historic flight. I’ve made “Desert Hustle” available as a special run of 20 hand-signed and numbered prints limited to only 20 editions. I’ve also made it available as an open edition print, and several other fun items, through my Fine Art America website store. Click on the buttons below for more information and to order yours today.
“Greased Lightning”
On October 16, 1963, USAF Pilot Maj. Sidney Kubesch, Navigator John Barrett, and Electronic Warfare Officer Capt. Gerard Williamson, of the 305th Bombardment Wing at Bunker Hill AFB, set a world record that stands to this day. Flying Convair B-58A-20-CF Hustler 61-2059, they set a speed record from Tokyo, Japan to London, England traveling 8,028 miles non-stop in eight hours and 35 minutes at an average speed of 692.71 MPH! They were awarded the Bendix Trophy in addition to the Distinguished Flying Cross.
My artwork, “Greased Lightning,” captures ‘2059 while she flies into the record books. I featured her as she appeared on the date of her record-setting flight, with the 305th Bombardment Group crest set against a star-filled banner on the nose of the aircraft. 305th BG and Strategic Air Command crests adorn the print’s lower margin.
Order this print as a signed and numbered limited edition, or as an open edition unsigned print from my Fine Art America collection.
“Greased Lightning” Convair B-58 Hustler 61-2059 Profile
This is a 36X12 inch profile featuring Convair B-58 Hustler, 61-2059, “Greased Lightning.” I’ve also made it available in smaller sizes to suit your space. Like My above artwork, “Greased Lightning,” I’ve depicted 61-2059 as she appeared on the date of her record-setting flight into aviation history. Strategic Air Command and 305th Bombardment Group crests are prominently featured on either side of the profile title. Order yours through my Fine Art America Collection!
“High Altitude Hustle”
“High Altitude Hustle” features a lone Convair B-58 Hustler cruising at high altitude above a broken layer of clouds. This 24X36 inch art print is available at my Fine Art America store, or as a limited edition signed and numbered print.
“Cruising Speed”
“Cruising Speed” features a Convair B-58 Hustler cruising at high altitude as contrails stream from the plane’s engines across an azure sky. This 36X12 inch art print is available through my Fine Art America page, or as a signed and numbered limited edition print.
“Hustlers”
“Hustlers” features the Convair B-58 flying across the Texas plains through a brilliant blue sky over a broken layer of clouds reflected in the Hustler’s natural metal finish. This is a 24X18 inch art print that is available at my Fine Art America Page, or as a signed and numbered limited edition print.
B-58 “Hustler” Poster
This is a 24×36 print that features the top view of the B-58 on a blue background with the bold Strategic Air Command (SAC) crest and banner of stars.
Convair
XB-58 Profile I
This distinctive black and white paint scheme, with crimson stripes and engine intake flashes, was worn by the XB-58 on her first flight, which happened on November 11, 1956. Her inaugural flight took place nine years after “Chuck” Yeager broke the sound barrier in October 1947, and was flown by Convair Chief Test Pilot Beryl Erickson.
Convair XB-58 Profile II
This bold crimson and white paint scheme is what most folks think of when they remember the XB-58. Add my XB-58 profile print to your collection today from my Fine Art America store.
“Supersonic Sundown”
“Supersonic Sundown” features a quartet of B-58 Hustlers as they climb over the ocean in close formation through a broken layer of clouds. The early evening sun shines brightly off of their wings as they climb to their cruising altitude. This 24X18 print of my artwork is available at Fine Art America and as a signed and numbered limited edition print.
Convair B-58 Hustler Blueprint
This unique illustration is a 36X24 inch print that shows the top, side, and front views of the Conviar B-58 Hustler on a background that resembles an engineering blueprint. Available in several different sizes at my Fine Art America Page.
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Neil Fraser
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Fine work John!
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Thank you very much Neil! I appreciate it.
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