B-58.com - The B-58 Hustler Page

Specifications

The Hustler's performance was unequaled for it's time. It was capable of flying as fast or faster than any fighter it might encounter, and generally at higher altitudes than a fighter could reach. The B-58 was also surprisingly maneuverable for an aircraft of its size and was perfectly adept at low-level penetration flights.

The B-58 had a staggering rate of climb, particularly when lightly loaded. "Climbing like a homesick ape" was a term used more than once to describe the Hustler's climb performance. A B-58 was capable of climbing through 40,000 ft as it passed over the far end of the same runway it used to takeoff!

SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer	Convair Division of General Dynamics Corporation, Fort Worth, TX
Type	Supersonic bomber
Powerplants	Four General Electric J79-GE-5A/5B axial flow turbojets, each rated at 9700 lb.s.t. normal power, 10,300 lb.s.t. military power, and 15,600 lb.s.t. maximum afterburner.
Performance	Maximum speed Mach 2.2 at 40,000 feet, Mach 0.91 at sea level. Cruising speed 521 knots. Takeoff ground roll 7850 feet at 160,000 pounds. Landing ground roll 2615 feet at 63,100 pounds. Maximum initial climb rate 38,650 feet per minute at sea level. An altitude of 30,000 feet could be attained in 11.2 minutes. Normal cruise altitude 38,450 feet. Target area altitude was 55,900 feet. Combat ceiling 63,400 feet. Maximum ferry range 4100 nautical miles.
Weight	55,650 pounds empty (without pod). Maximum gross weight 176,890 pounds (in flight). 63,100 pounds landing weight.
Dimensions	Wingspan 56 feet 9.9 inches, length 96 feet 9.4 inches, height 29 feet 11 inches, wing area 1364.69 square feet.
Armament	One General Electric T-171E-3 remotely-controlled cannon in tail with 1200 rounds. Offensive weapons consisted of one MB-1C pod containing a W39Y1-1 variable-yield thermonuclear warhead, or a Two-Component Pod with a Mk. 53 thermonuclear warhead. In addition, four Mk. 43 thermonuclear weapons could be carried on external pylons underneath the wings between the fuselage and the main landing gear bays.