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Video: B-58 Hustler 1960s Low-Level Bombing Documentary
This 1960s documentary profiles the low-level bombing capabilities of the B-58 during several test flights, and also serves as a great example of the kind of intimidating information the US pushed towards the Soviet Union during the Cold War. (youtu.be) Mais...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Excellent. Only thing that would make it better would be more and better cockpit shots. Wish I could get a ride along. Two thumbs up.
Some excellent info about the plane here:
http://www.aviation-history.com/convair/b58.html
http://www.aviation-history.com/convair/b58.html
I worked on Hustler at Convair in 1956. Was a Co-Op working in the Fuel and Oil Group routing fuel lines through the wing.
Far as I know the only external fuel it could carry was in the centerline pod not shown here. I agreed on all your points, wondered about refueling myself.
The video doesn't mention any in-flight refueling. I find it real difficult to believe you can run those J-79's at 500 feet for anywhere near that distance. There couldn't possibly be sufficient fuel in those wings and fuselage (I don't see any external tanks - maybe I should look again) for enough fuel to go that far. I'm calling this a propaganda film but do appreciate the great footage of a very impressive airplane.
The pod on the belly carried fuel and a "nuclear device." It had a 1,500 mile combat radius "at cruise altitude", which was reduced to about 950 miles for low altitude missions. It was capable of being refueled in-flight, so the range could be extended tremendously. For instance, in 1963, a B-58 flew the longest supersonic distance. It went from Tokyo to London, a distance of 8,028 miles, in 8 hours, 35 minutes, 20.4 seconds, averaging 938 mph. Obviously, it could not have done this without aerial refueling. As far as I know, this is still the record for a long-distance supersonic flight.
Well, it is a Convair film.