The Convair B-58A Hustler was an exceptional performance three-seat medium-range supersonic nuclear strategic bomber which first flew in November 1956, 86 production B-58A nuclear bombers entered service with the USAF's Strategic Air Command, the first aircraft being delivered in march 1960 and the Convair Hustler remained in USAF service until January 1970 when, controversially, they were replaced by the FB-111A 'Aardvark'. It is of note that the Convair Hustler was the first US supersonic bomber and in consequence had three totally separated individual cockpits instead of ejector seats, each of the three crew was entombed in their own individual escape capsule designed to protect them against the rigors of a Mach 2 ejection. Convair B-58A Hustler Specifications: - Crew: Pilot, observer-bombardier and defence system operator
- Length: 96 ft 9 in (29.5 m)
- Wingspan: 56 ft 9 in (17.3 m)
- Height: 29 ft 11 in (8.9 m)
- Empty weight: 55,560 lb (25,200 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 176,890 lb (80,240 kg)
- Engines: Four 15,600 lbf (69.3 kn) General Electric J79-GE-5A turbojets
- Maximum speed: 1,600 mph (2,600 km/h) at 40,000 ft (12,000 m)
- Cruise speed: 610 mph (985 km/h)
- Combat radius: 1,740 mi (3,220 km)
- Service ceiling: 63,400 ft (19,300 m)
- Rate of climb: 2,700 ft/min (13.7 m/s)
Armament: - Guns: Radar-directed tail turret mounted M61 20mm Vulcan cannon
- Bombs: Initially a single nuclear weapon in a streamlined MB-1C fuselage mounted pod and later four under-wing B-43 or B61 nuclear bombs
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