The
Convair B-58 Hustler, designed by American aircraft manufacturer Convair and manufactured by Consolidated at Fort Worth, TX, was the first operational bomber capable of Mach 2 flight.
Developed in the 1950s, it was used as a nuclear weapon carrier by the Strategic Air Command during the Cold War until 1970.
A total of 116 aircraft were built, 30 of them test and 86 series machines.
The introduction of new anti-aircraft systems in the USSR (especially SA-2 Guideline) quickly ruins the strategic advantage of the B-58.
The high operating and maintenance costs ultimately led to the end of the program and from 1965 to the gradual decommissioning of the Convair B-58.
As far as I know there are 8 surviving aircraft.
A little more information can be found in the placemarks.
55-0663 Grissom Air Museum, Peru, Indiana (This is the oldest remaining aircraft)
55-0668 Little Rock Air Force Base , Jacksonville, Arkansas
55-0665 Edwards Air Force Base, California
55-0666 Castle Air Museum Atwater, California ( Under restoration)
59-2437 Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas
59-2458 National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio
61-2059 Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum Ashland, Nebraska
61-2080 – Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson, Arizona (It was the last B-58 to be delivered)
See also the
B-58 rocket sled (Post here in the forum)
Attachments:B-58 Collection.kmz (2.78 KB)