Mythbusting the Convair B-58 Hustler with Col George Holt Jr. USAF Rtd

The Convair B-58 Hustler is regarded as one of the USAF's missteps in strategic bomber design from the 1950s and 60s. The claims that it was expensive and dangerous to fly led to its removal from service in the 1970s in favour of the Boeing B-52. But is that really the case? Former B-58 Navigator/Bombardier Col. Geroge Holt Jr. Rtd. joins us to reflect on his time on the Hustler and do some well-needed myth-busting.

★You can buy George's book, The B-58 Blunder: How the U.S. Abandoned its Best Strategic Bomber, at Amazon.

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[TakeDeadAim]

My grandfather was one of the lead electronic engineers on both the B58 and the F111 at Convair/GD. Even he said while the B58 was a great testbed for then "advanced" technology, that it was an aircraft which was a one trick pony. Although it was probably his favorite aircraft to be a part of, he said it's time on active duty was appropriately limited due to rapid advancement in technology. I still have B58 tie tacks/cuff links, pens and even some manuals which I found after he died. Cool memorabilia!

[Ramjetwarrior]

Those who are fans of the B-58 'Hustler' as I am, should watch the movie 'Fail Safe'. 1964, starring Henry Fonda and Larry Hagman. Truly one of the favorite movies of my youth. Brilliant and well written story of the 'Cold War era'. Can't say enough good things about it! (Edit: Peace out)!

[maximilliancunningham]

Arguably the most beutifull aircraft of the cold war era. Sleek lines, looks like its going mach 2, parked, A real modern work of art. Escorted by F-104 starfighters, what a sight !

[taofledermaus]

I really enjoyed this. It's great to hear about the planes but the personal stories are priceless.

[WootTootZoot]

My Basic Training Assistant Training Instructor was a Crew Chief on the B-58. We had to go to KP at Kelly Field and the TI had the bus driver go out past the flightline where the last four B-58's were being prepped to fly to the Davis-Montham AFB boneyard. He had the bus driver stop, and we sat there for about five minutes as he told us some great stories about his time on the Hustler. He said it was bitter-sweet for him, he loved the airplane, but said the particular front landing gear on his airplane was a royal pain in the ass.

[Pjs]

As a young ‘teenager’ in very early 1960s I saw a Revell model construction kit of the Hustler. It was my dream to make that model fly… it looked so aerodynamic! So futuristic, particularly compared with the uk available WW2 style prop driven historical models. It looked the future in miniature.

[richardfeldman]

I remember as a kid, going to the open houses they had for the public at Bunker Hill AFB. My biggest thrill was sitting in the pilot's seat in the B-58 they had on display. Grew up in Kokomo just South of Bunker Hill and I remember the house ratteling every time there was a sonic boom. The B-58 was and still is my favorite aircraft of all times.

[danpatterson]

I have always considered the B-58 the finest example of ambition made real. The one in Dayton is polished to mirror finish and looks like liquid metal.

[rickbase]

The B-58 was a sexy aircraft. The sleekness....delta wing....those slung engines and the unpainted hull all made for an aircraft that belonged in the Atomic Age era aesthetic.

[martyviehweg]

Great interview. I grew up with the B58 at Carswell AFB then Little Rock AFB untill they phased it out. My father was a maintainer and also crew chief for a period before he transitioned to the B52 in the 70s. From a young kids perspective the B58 was like the Starship Enterprise, so futuristic. When it took off with full afterburner all of base housing would rattle.

[rudyyarbrough]

I was 2nd lieutenant in the USMC doing a cross-country training flight and had landed at Bunker Hill AFB in an F-4B to refuel. After refueling and taxiing for TO, I was told to hold short for a departing plane. It turned out to be a B-58. What a sight! Big and shiny and with 4 J-79s under its wings. My plane had two so I knew how powerful they were. The Hustler pushed all four up to TO power and it was a glorious sound! Then they went to AB on all four and I was awestruck. However, they didn't move for a few seconds doing an engine check. In the F-4, if you went into AB while the parking brake was on, the plane would move while dragging the nonmoving wheels. That's how powerful the engines were and for that plane not to move with four ABs running told me what a heavy plane it was. It was a beauty and has always been one of my favorites along with the F105 and of course the Phantom.

[TimeToCheckReality]

As a young kid of that era, that was my dream plane. Later replaced by the Black Bird.
My father (a teacher) was a member of the CAP in Detroit, occasionally flying in to Wright Paterson. On one of those trips, he was given a ride in the third seat to Texas and back at supersonic speed. It was only later when i was older that this was when he bought me the model kit.

[alexxhater]

Our local museum made really interesting decision on placing B-58 right next to F-102 so you can clearly see that the wing is quite similar on these planes. Also seeing it live I actually never expected that it is quite small even compared to B-47.

[thDIVTimberwolf]

I never got to see one fly, but i can imagine the howl of those 4 J-79s!

[BjarneLinetsky]

My respect to the men who spent hours in a claustrophobic environment, working very hard to stay ahead of an aircraft covering 30 miles in a minute, using vacuum tube technology.

[craiglordable]

Thanks, great to see some recognition. I was at Bunker Hill 305th BW Mar 67-Feb 68.

[devaughnjohnson]

I can't thank you enough for making this interview with Col Holt. I never bought the 'hype' about it being dangerous and expensive to fly. Because our generals had to play politics, they stopped the best weapon the US ever had! It proves that the upper-level air force leadership is one-sided and are narrow-minded politicians in uniform. I was stationed at little Rock AFB where we had B-47's & KC-135's - boring stuff. Then one day she - the B 58 Hustler - showed up and there was never a boring day or night. Fell in love with her on first sight. And after seeing her perform, I was totally hooked. She was all I could think of! Upon hearing that she was being removed from service, I couldn't believe it. Who in their mind would make such a blunder??

[francisbusa]

Glad to hear about the true nature of this aircraft from a man who flew her. I remember back in the early '60s building a Revelle model of this plane. Thanks.

[SPiderman-rhzk]

I can't thank you enough for making this interview happen. There is comparatively little to read about this aircraft. Infuriatingly, so much of the stuff you can read up on concerning the Hustler is the same content, recycled and rehashed, so that it becomes increasingly hard to find new information. What we need is testimony from those that flew her and operated her; I grant you that many of the aircrew are no longer with us now, so it becomes ever more important to ensure stuff like this is put on record. Thank you again.

[michaelhart]

43rd BW Little Rock AFB Arkansas 1967-69