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Home > Fact Sheets > Convair YB-58A
CONVAIR YB-58A
Posted 7/8/2009
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Convair YB-58A Hustler 3/4 front view (S/N 55-0667) with a test installation of the two component pod (TCP). The top section labeled B-1-1 housed the weapons bay and two fuel cells, the bottom section labeled B-2-1 housed two large fuel cells and could be dropped after it was empty exposing the weapons bay for use in an attack. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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Convair built 11 service test aircraft as YB-58A. These planes were used for various test programs including flight testing of the large pods mounted on the lower fuselage, defensive fire control systems and performance testing.
Because the B-58 was designed to fly at twice the speed of sound, special consideration was given to supersonic aerodynamics when designing the aircraft. The "Area Rule" governs the basic shape of the aircraft and states (very approximately) that the cross sectional area should remain constant. This is most obvious in the "wasp waist" of most high-performance aircraft fuselages where the wing is joined. On the B-58, the engine nacelles were factored in and that explains why the inboard engines project far out in front of the wing leading edge. The fuselage mounted pods, which were designed to carry additional fuel and (nuclear) weapons, were also designed using the Area Rule.
The YB-58As were modified several times. Some aircraft were converted to TB-58A trainers while others were brought up to B-58A production standards. The original order for YB-58As was altered and 17 aircraft were built as RB-58A reconnaissance aircraft. Finally, one aircraft was used to test the YJ93 jet engine developed for the North American XB-70 program.
| Type |
Number built/
converted |
Remarks |
| YB-58A |
11 |
Service test aircraft |
TECHNICAL NOTES:
Armament: Designed for one 20mm cannon in tail; nuclear weapons in pod or on under-wing pylons (some YB-58As were armed, while most were not)
Engines: Four General Electric J79-GE-5or -5A turbojets of 15,600 lbs. thrust each with afterburner
Maximum speed: 1,325 mph
Cruising speed: 610 mph
Range: 4,400 miles maximum ferry range
Service ceiling: 64,800 ft.
Span: 56 ft. 10 in.
Length: 96 ft. 10 in.
Height: 31 ft. 5 in.
Weight: 163,000 lbs. maximum
Crew: Three (pilot, navigator/bombardier, defensive systems operator)
Serial numbers: 55-0662 and 55-0672
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