The Hustler

[Cajun76]

As some of you may know, I served in the USAF at Little Rock AFB. Being the history buff I am, I researched the base's history and learned the base had once hosted the B-58 Hustler from 1964 to 1970.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-58_Hustler

There are several static displays on the base, including C-130s, a B-47, B-57B, C-123, RF-101 Voodoo and a C-119.

A couple of days ago, I noticed a large, distinctive tank/pod in a parking lot that got me wondering what it belonged to. Should I dare to hope it was from a B-58? Indeed it was, because yesterday as I was leaving the base, I passed a B-58 fuselage and wings that were heading on base.

Looks like we're going to have a Hustler display soon, I'm very happy. :cool: I took pictures and got closer until I was told to stay on the grass, lol.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/Mobile/2012-02-09135852.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/Mobile/2012-02-09135923.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/Mobile/2012-02-09135905.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/Mobile/2012-02-09140014.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/Mobile/2012-02-09140046.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/Mobile/2012-02-09140110.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/Mobile/2012-02-09140124.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/Mobile/2012-02-09140222.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/Mobile/2012-02-09140241.jpg

[erco415]

Wow! Very cool! The -58 is one of my favorites, many thanks for the pictures!

[berg417448]

Checking around a little and using that serial # 0668, it appears that this aircraft may be a TB-58A Hustler, s/n 55-0668 which
came from the Lone Star Flight museum where it was damaged back in 2008 by a hurricane.

[AndyJWest]

Nice pictures. :cool:

The main landing gear looks rather complex - in fact I can't see how it worked at all. Obviously designed to fit into a rather thin wing somehow or other....

[berg417448]

I think the main gear retracted straight back. At least, that's what it looks like on the old grainy videos.

[ytareh]

Absolutely awesome looking machine ,I guess it may be a sign of growing old but the hardware of the 50s-80s seems soooo much cooler than 'Stealth' tech ...

[Cajun76]

The part of the gear *I* found intriguing was the nose gear, once you realize that the pod is in the way. I couldn't get close enough, and had never really wondered about it before, but it must have to rotate forward as the top is drawn aft to clear the weapon/fuel pod.

For the main gear, I believe where the upper "V" part meets the lower strut, it bends like a knee, with the upper folding forward, the lower rotates aft and the wheels are curled back and tucked in. The wheel wells were pressurized and air conditioned because of heat generated by Mach 2 flight.




http://www.vectorsite.net/avb58_01.jpg

Ah, found a semi-decent video, gear operation @ 6:40.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saeejPWQTHw

[AndyJWest]

Nice video, Cajun. :cool:

Yes, the nose gear design is clever too - I'd just assumed it retracted backwards, and hadn't thought about the pod.

[LEBillfish]

Awesome!Next to the Lockheed Constellation has always gotten my vote for the most beautiful aircraft ever built. My husband's cousin it's also my understanding used to fly these for a while when not flying B-52's (was a Col. in S.A.C.), sadly however that's the extent of the information my husband has never keeping contact with that part of the family.

Here are a couple of other videos you might like.The first having a song I believe just fits perfectly with the video (note also Gen. Stewart is flying). The second having some nice views.


http://youtu.be/qx-uZZVc0dE


http://youtu.be/IbYATGZrJss

K2

[Messaschnitzel]

This might help explain how the landing gear operates:

Main Gear Assembly Animation

http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~t_miyama/b58leg1.gif


Front Gear Assembly Animation

http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~t_miyama/b58leg2.gif

[AndyJWest]

Neat. Thanks, LBF and Messaschnitzel.

[Cajun76]

Yes, great input. I hope to get some more pics soon. They've set the fuselage up in it's spot, but haven't attached anything but the pod yet when I drove by yesterday evening. Coming down Vandenberg Ave., it will be directly across as one turns onto Thomas Ave., facing you. Quite a sight, hope it doesn't cause any accidents. As LBF says, it's a real looker. :cool:

http://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=34.897873,-92.132926&hl=en&sll=34.897464,-92.132072&sspn=0.003392,0.006968&dirflg=w&mra=mift&mrsp=1&sz=18&t=h&z=18

[Cajun76]

They seem to be taking their sweet time with this bird, the wings and engines are on, but there's still supports under the wings and always workstands nearby. Some of the panels near the rudder are also not installed yet. I'll take some shots next chance I get, but it's been very hot lately. Bumped from page 5, lol.

[whiteladder]

Great series of pictures, its much smaller than I had imagined. Like the picture of the fuselage side where you can see how thin the wing is.

[Cajun76]

It's taken far longer than I thought, and they're still not finished, but they finally installed some of the last panels and removed the blocks under the engine pods. My apologies, early morning is probably not the best time to take pics. Still awesome though, hope you enjoy. :cool:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/2012-08-20_08-09-52_319.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/2012-08-20_08-10-31_419.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/2012-08-20_08-10-55_614.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/2012-08-20_08-11-10_602.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/2012-08-20_08-11-21_992.jpg

[Dance]

Such a svelte bird.

[AndyJWest]

She's looking good. :cool:

Seems shinier on one side than the other. Is that just a trick if the light, or are they still applying the Brasso?

[Cajun76]

Probably still needs polishing, but perhaps the right side had moisture from still being in shadow. Regardless, all the major bits are done, hopefully they'll have it looking really nice for the airshow the base is putting on Sept. 8-9.

[Cajun76]

Due to some recent interest, I have some newer pics to share. Enjoy!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/2012-09-19_08-23-28_503.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/2012-09-19_08-24-47_457.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/2012-09-19_08-24-17_316.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/2012-09-19_08-21-28_703.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/2012-09-19_08-20-49_898.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/2012-09-19_08-22-22_720.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/2012-09-19_08-22-48_956.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/2012-09-19_08-19-16_931.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/2012-09-19_08-18-41_307.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/2012-09-19_08-20-17_993.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/2012-09-19_08-19-52_666.jpg

Some details of the engine nacelle and gear. They left a panel open, Cajun swoops in. :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/2012-09-19_08-27-14_822.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/2012-09-19_08-26-07_62.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/2012-09-19_08-26-17_411.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/2012-09-19_08-25-40_904.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/2012-09-19_08-26-56_972.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/Cajun76/2012-09-19_08-25-52_891.jpg

[woofiedog]

Truely a great aircraft and you did an excellent job taking these photos.

Thank's

[Cajun76]

Thanks, I'm trying to capture as much detail as the Security Forces will allow. ;) A professional modeler has even taken notice, but I'll let him reveal himself if he desires. They've added a silvery plate just inside the intake to simulate the compressor blades I believe, but on only one engine I've seen so far. There are still maintenance stands around it at times, so clear shots of the entire bird can be hard to come by.

Maybe this spring they will have it finished up. Here's hoping.

[Cajun76]

More pics soon, they are finished with the bird, the dedication ceremony is today, May 3rd. :) I've driven past it a few times in the last few days after they finished, but haven't had the chance to take pics. Looks really good though. :)

[woofiedog]

Will be looking forward to see the finished product.

[Cajun76]

http://www.littlerock.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123347304

[Worf101]

Thanks Cajun that was absolutely "Top Notch". Of course I've never seen a Hustler in flight or up close... This is the next best thing.

Worf