Brian B

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Got the latest issue of Smithsonian Air and Space today and immediately read the cover story on the B-58. It made me wonder if anybody is working on a turbine version of the plane. I know there was a DF version some years ago.

The RCU archives hint at some activity in the B-58 area, but nothing recent, and nothing I could find that indicates that one of these is flying somewhere. I think I would travel some distance to see one of these fly!

Anybody working on it?

Hustler58

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I am CNC a new one ,hope to have it done sometime before I die. Butch

I-NAV

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Butch,
In your second life make us another U-2S and supper size it!

Mike

Terry Holston

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would that be bigger or smaller than dinner sized???????????????? LOL, Just kidding..................sorry I could'nt resist.

Hustler58

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I-NAV, How big do you want it? The drawings are finished all I have to do is start cutting.

WhoDaMan

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I still need the plans to mine,,,,,,,,,,,,, and don't die till you finish the new one,,,, a request

mikehannah

Hi
It is a mean looking plane. Why did it last only 10 years in service?

M

WhoDaMan

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Paul's gear

Brian B

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According to the Air And Space article, the B-58 was able to outfly anything the Russians had in 1960, whether it was a fighter or a missile. But, by 1970, the Russians had the capability to shoot it down. It was not exactly stealthy, either. So it was too vulnerable to continue to serve. Sure is a beauty, though.

B58

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If you have been to the Wright Patterson Museum you probably have seen tail number 458 on display. I helped take her up there in 1969, and had been stationed with the B-58 at Little Rock AFB for the previous 4 years. As I recall the reason given at that time to phase the aircraft out was that the FB-111 could do anything it could do, do it cheaper, faster, etc. Turned out the 111 was a disapointment as a bomber. Really, I think what killed the program was the fact that the 58 was designed in the late 40's, and built in the 50's. The metals and construction techniques of that time were not up to the demands of the airframe. We had many structural problems, and the longer the plane was in service, the harder it was to maintain. It was up to about 100 man hours or more in maintenance for every hour of flight. She sure could go though. 458 set the Bendix Trophy record that may still stand. you can look it up. New York to LA in 4 hours with 3 refuels! I was at the museum a couple years ago and was climbing in the wheel wells doing a preflight before they ran me out from under the jet. I was so excited I just stepped right over the ropes and started doing a walk around. Anyway, fun to talk about the old girl, and if anyone builds a scale version, keep it light! She was a hot rod. Drag chute deployment speed was 238 knots.

F106A

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It was a very expensive airplane and expensive to operate. It literally was worth it's weight in gold. Two wings of the B-58 cost the same as six wings of B-52's. I talked to some B-58 IP's and they flew it about 125 hrs/year, regular pilots got about 80-90 hrs/year.
It had relatively short legs for a bomber, and was state of the art at the time, but the advanced systems had to be de-bugged, which took it's toll on reliability.
It also had a very high accident rate, about 25% (26 out of 116).
It seems strange now, but as much as the brass hated the B-58, towards the end they fought for it, but McNamara was focused on the the FB-111, and it's fate was sealed. McNamara, the man who knew the cost of everything and the value of nothing.
I was stationed at Kinchloe AFB, Mich and every so often a bunch of B-58's would come up from Bunker Hill. Watching them taking off, and the noise when all four J-79's went into burner, is a sight and sound I'll never forget.
BRG,
Jon

B58

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The high accident rate was due mostly to the unforgiving nature of the plane. It was a joy once it was airborne though. We sent several through a new flight control and bomb nav update, and then straight to the boneyard. I was on alert at Whiteman AFB, MO, when word came down to download the nukes and fly back to Little Rock. We then prepped her for the flight to Wright Pat, and there she sits. The cost seemed high then, but the price tag on that particular airplane was 14 million dollars. Today that would barely buy an engine for a new fighter.

I-NAV

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Butch,
A or 12 to 14 foot wingspan U-2 would be about right, I've got an 11.5 foot kit from Germany, but it's an A-model with the short wings. The S-model is a better looking airplane and it's got all those neat pods and sensors hanging off it.

Connery

If youd like to see a large scratch build of the U-2S check out this link:

http://www.tylermodelers.com/snyder/u2/pixss-u2.htm

It was built by Sam Snyder who is a member or our local club; Tyler Modelers Club; and a well known personality in the hobby. He has built many scratch scale jets, including a large Avro Vulcan.

Hustler58

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Here are a couple pictures of the TR-1 that I designed from scratch and Paul Steely finished. B-58 in the back ground

Hustler58

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Sorry, Paul I should have read my post. It is Paul Stelly, AKA The CNC MAN ,AKA Mr Retract, Part time 777 Driver !

ps2727

Butch,
Great design and molding work on the B58 and U2 models.
Here is your 106 design, I think it's Ron's.




Hey, I'm thinking of trading my Honda for and Indian motorcycle, would you like to borrow it?

WhoDaMan

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Paul Dave and I are working on this one next