YB-58A-CF Hustler
Number Built: 11
Serial Numbers: 55-662 through 55-672
Notes: Production prototypes. Brought up to B-58A-CF standards.
Most became TB-58A-CF flight trainers. Convair built eleven service test aircraft as YB-58A. These planes were used for various test programs including flight testing of the large pods mounted on the lower fuselage, defensive fire control systems, and performance testing. Because the B-58 was designed to fly at twice the speed of sound, special consideration was given to supersonic aerodynamics when designing the aircraft. The 'Area Rule' governs the basic shape of the aircraft and states (very approximately) that the cross sectional area should remain constant. This is most obvious in the 'wasp waist' of most high performance aircraft fuselages where the wing is joined. On the B-58, the engine nacelles were factored in and explains why the inboard engines project far out in front of the wing leading edge. The fuselage mounted pods, which were designed to carry additional fuel and (nuclear) weapons, were also designed using the 'Area Rule.' The YB-58As were modified several times. Some aircraft were converted to TB-58A trainers while others were brought up to B-58A production standards. The original order for YB-58As was altered and 17 aircraft were built as RB-58A reconnaissance aircraft. Finally, one aircraft was used to test the YJ93 jet engine developed for the North American XB-70 program.

RB-58A-CF Hustler
Number Built: 17
Serial Numbers: 58-1007 through 58-1023
Notes: Originally YB-58A-CF aircraft. Converted to reconnaissance duty. The last 17 service test B-58 aircraft were completed as RB-58A reconnaissance bombers. Of the thirty pre-production aircraft ordered, nearly all carried two, three or even four different designations during their service life. The RB-58As were ordered as YB-58A, but redesignated RB-58A on the production line. These aircraft were intended to carry a reconnaissance pod, but most were used in test programs along with the XB-58 and YB-58A aircraft. Most of the RB-58As were brought up to B-58A production standards and used in operational units. One RB-58A was converted to a TB-58A trainer, one aircraft was retained for static stress and fatigue testing and three aircraft were destroyed in test program crashes between 1958 and 1960.

TB-58A-CF Hustler
Number Built: 8
Serial Numbers: 55-661, 55-662, 55-663, 55-668, 55-670, 55-671, 55-672 and 58-1007
Notes: Originally XB-58A-CF and YB-58A-CF aircraft.
Converted to flight trainers.

NB-58A-CF Hustler
Number Built: 1
Serial Number: 55-662
One YB-58A (S/N 55-662) was used for flight testing the General Electric J93 turbojet engine and redesignated NB-58A. The J93 engine was housed in a specially built pod and mounted on the B-58 in place of the normal external pod. The flight testing was done in support of two North American development programs: the XB-70 "Valkyrie" Mach 3 bomber and the XF-108 "Rapier" Mach 3 fighter program. After the J93 test program was completed, the NB-58A was converted to the TB-58A trainer configuration and served as a chase plane in the XB-70 flight test program.

B-58A-CF Hustler
Number Built: 86
Serial Numbers: 59-2428 through 61-2080
Notes: Production aircraft.

B-58B Hustler
Number Built: 0
The B-58B was proposed as an improved version of the B-58A. In early 1958, Convair presented a proposal to the US Air Force for a new model of the B-58 with more powerful versions of the General Electric J79 turbojet (J79-GE-19). The -B model was also designed with canard surfaces mounted foward of the delta wing. A prototype B-58B was ordered (S/N 60-1109), but the entire project was canceled before construction began.

B-58C Hustler
Number Built: 0
The B-58C, or BJ-58, was proposed as a enlarged version of the B-58A to be powered by Pratt & Whitney J58 turbojet engines. The 32,500 thrust J58 was the same engine used on the Lockheed SR-71. Design studies were conducted with two and four engine designs. The -C model had an estimated top speed approaching Mach 3, a supersonic cruise capability of approximately Mach 2, and a service ceiling of about 70,000 feet. Convair estimated maximum range at 5,200 nautical miles. The B-58C was proposed as a lower cost alternative to the North American XB-70 or as a medium bomber to fill the gap between the XB-70 and the XF-108 Rapier Mach 3 fighter (proposal). The -C model would have been capable of carrying a more varied assortment of weapons, including conventional bombs. The program was canceled in early 1961.

Super Hustler
Number Built: 0
During the winter of 1957, Convair proposed a new type of bombing system to the Air Force, one based on the use of the B-58 Hustler as a carrier aircraft for a new, high-speed parasite aircraft. The project was given the name Super Hustler, although the parasite aircraft itself was to be based on a completely new design. The new parasite aircraft was to be carried underneath the B-58 in the position normally occupied by the pod. The parasite aircraft was to have consisted of two components. One component was to be a powered, manned vehicle containing a crew of two, whereas the other was to be a powered expendable unmanned vehicle containing either a nuclear warhead or fuel, depending on the nature of the mission. However, it was anticipated that the most likely mission for the parasite would probably be reconnaissance.

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