Boy...I know I'm gonna stir up a storm with this one (knowing how
much Jim Sanders detests this particular subject and plane).
     Last year, a former AFJROTC buddy of mine gave me a stack of old
Air Force Magazines c.1983, 84. In one of the Airmail sections, a
retired USAF Col went into a rant about a proposed "B" model of the
Convair B-58 Hustler - which would've had a 5 ft fuselage extention
for increased fuel capacity and turbofan engines for better fuel
economy.
     For Jim Sander's sake, I won't repeat all the glowing attributes
this gentleman bestowed upon this aircraft. However, I for one happen
to think the 58 was a very sleek looking aircraft (even if it was a
dog to fly) and given my penchant for liking to write amateur
"alternate realtity" yarns (and building models of the aircraft used
therein), this letter piqued my curiosity a great deal.
     One of the things that stuck me as odd is the fact that prior to
seeing this letter, I have never once seen any reference to a B-58B in
any of the military aviation books I've owned or read over the years
(including a large package of literature, drawings, and photos I
aquired from GD a number of years back). A book I have on American
Fighters shows a proposed enlarged/stretched FB-111H, but the
58B...that's a mystery.
     I'm also sorta curious as to what type of turbofans Convair/GD
proposed to used on this model of the Hustler. Given it's supersonic
mission, and the size of the J79 nacelles, the first motorvator that
comes to mind is the TF30, but that's a SWAG at best.
Derek "Tiger" (/\)akefield
iscandar@chatter.com
... Don't hit me, Mr. Moderator... I'll go back on topic... I swear!
--- Blue Wave/DOS v2.30 [NR]
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