“Desert Hustle” features Convair B-58A Hustler 58-1015. The USAF ordered the aircraft as a YB-58. It was modified in production as an RB-58A to carry a special photographic reconnaissance pod, and later delivered as a B-58A. On September 18, 1958, Convair’s Chief Test Pilot, Beryl Erickson, flew 1015 at 600 Knots (around 700 miles per hour) at approximately 500 feet in a 1,400 mile dash from Carswell AFB (Fort Worth), Texas, to Edwards AFB, California, in two hours. The flight demonstrated the B-58s capabilities as a stable high speed, low altitude weapons platform using what was essentially a freshly produced aircraft.

In “Desert Hustle,” I’ve depicted 1015 flying over a desert portion of Test Pilot Beryl Erickson’s flight plan. Under the brilliant azure sky, the Hustler flies in valleys between buttes and over scrub-covered terrain at 300 feet toward Edwards AFB.

Like all of my artwork, “Desert Hustle” began with a detailed 3D model of a B-58 Hustler, which I created. I “painted” the aircraft digitally using authentic colors, insignias, markings (etc.), and imported the model into an environment in which I’ve created terrain, plants, atmosphere, and sky to compose what is, essentially, a digital painting. The artistic principles of light, dark, color, shape, proportion, and composition apply with my work just as they do with “traditional” artwork.

I’m presenting “Desert Hustle” as a hand-signed and numbered 18X24 inch print. This special piece of aviation artwork is limited to 20 editions. Each is printed on 60 Lb. acid-free paper so colors remain vivid for years with proper care. Each edition comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. All limited edition prints are shipped free of charge via USPS Priority Mail.

For more information about the B-58 Hustler, please go to the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

Would you like to see more of my artwork featuring the B-58? See my website’s B-58 portfolio page.