Convair B-58A Hustler Interview – Col. Chuck Jones (Ret.)

Convair B-58A Hustler Interview – Col. Chuck Jones (Ret.)Another great video by Ken LaRock from the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/

Interview with Col.(Ret.) Chuck Jones as he talks about his time in the Convair B-58A Hustler. Colonel Jones is a former navigator/bombardier in the B-58 and currently volunteers here at the museum. You can see the museum’s B-58 in the Cold War Gallery https://bit.ly/2ggqWdv

The U.S. Air Force’s first operational supersonic bomber, the B-58 made its initial flight on Nov. 11, 1956. In addition to the Hustler’s delta wing shape, distinctive features included a sophisticated inertial guidance navigation and bombing system, a slender “wasp-waist” fuselage and an extensive use of heat-resistant honeycomb sandwich skin panels in the wings and fuselage. Since the thin fuselage prevented the carrying of bombs internally, a droppable, two-component pod beneath the fuselage contained a nuclear weapon — along with extra fuel, reconnaissance equipment or other specialized gear. The B-58 crew consisted of a pilot, navigator/bombardier and defense systems operator.

Convair built 116 B-58s: 30 test and pre-production aircraft and 86 for operational service. Hustlers flew in the Strategic Air Command between 1960 and 1970. Setting 19 world speed and altitude records, B-58s also won five different aviation trophies.

The B-58A on display set three speed records while flying from Los Angeles to New York and back on March 5, 1962. For this effort, the crew received the Bendix and Mackay Trophies for 1962. It was flown to the museum in December 1969.