EUROPEAN RECOGNITION MODEL - B-58 - 1:200 SCALE
([url]http://www.collectair.com/images/b58euro.jpg[/url])
Several European/NATO countries produced recognition models during the cold war period; models were produced in several scales and in various materials. I assume that some of these were also available on the commercial market. This B-58 model is in 1:200 scale with a length of 5.87 inches. The material is plastic and the model has a raised number "303" on the undersurface of the wing. This attractive example of a NATO recognition model is available for Sorry Sold.
([url]http://www.collectair.com/images/b58euro2.jpg[/url])
Whilst the B-58 was used in trials to support the YF-12, what about a dedicated USAF interceptor version? Maybe armed with up to 8 Phoenix or equivalent? Crew could comprise pilot plus RIO and Offensive electonics officer or even two RIOs.With the "Snoopy" nose and a new ventral pod to carry those missiles? Why not. Of go for four very long-range Eagle missiles, similar to those carried by the F6D, or AIM-47/54 missiles with a booster stage added, on the existing stores hardpoints under the wing.
I've always thought the B-58 was one of the most Soviet looking designs that America ever came up with. It has Tupolev or Myashishev written all over itAccording to The Future was FAB, Gerry Anderson's model shop did just that, but with both engines on each side for one of his shows.
Using the Academy 1/144 kit, I once tried to take the two outboard jet pods and move them to positions either side of the vertical fin in Tu-22 "Blinder" style. I didn't get it to work as well as I had hoped, but I will try it again sometime.
My idea was to scratch build some "Ash" AAMs for it and maybe make it a Myashishev competitor to the Tu-128 "Fiddler".
The B-58 just looks like red stars and bort numbers should be on it.
I was rather taken by the enlarged B-58 with four J75s that the Aerofax book, final edition, depicted. I'm thinking that a Canadian version of that one, with Iroquois engines replacing the J75's, would be quite the whif.
Given Alexander Lippisch's possible (albeit indirect IIRC) influence in Convair's work that led to the B-58 Hustler (big stretch here I know), what if we had a "Fatherland" ([url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatherland_(novel))[/url] style scenario whereby the B-58 was a German Lippisch dsigned bomber?
Not sure this is the right place for this but I have some spare J79 nacelles from a 1/128(?) Hustler that I want to stick onto a suitable 50's fighter Super Lorin/Blinder style. Does anybody have any suggestions?Would that be the old Monogram kit? Perhaps a 1/72 F-102 with the inlets faired over and the back end of that B-58 replacing the exhaust nozzle. Cluster the pods two to a side at the base of the vertical fin.
Nice.
Did you see the artists name? "McCall"
Nice.
Did you see the artists name? "McCall"
Indeed. Artwork: “Failsafe” Saturday Evening Post Cover (October 13, 1962) by Robert McCall.
Could make an interesting diorama:
([url]http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p110/GTX_Christmas/Convair%20B-58%20Hard%20Shelter.jpg[/url])
Needs a RATO or catapult to really impress. :)
Needs a RATO or catapult to really impress. :)
Would that RATO be the size of a Minuteman III?
I seem to talk myself in and out of adding a B-58 to the collection...and here you all go finding cool artwork and ideas to tempt me.
Needs a RATO or catapult to really impress. :)
Would that RATO be the size of a Minuteman III?
I seem to talk myself in and out of adding a B-58 to the collection...and here you all go finding cool artwork and ideas to tempt me.
I seem to talk myself in and out of adding a B-58 to the collection...and here you all go finding cool artwork and ideas to tempt me.If you sell your Hustler don't worry, I have at least three of the things in protective custody :)
I'm debating about selling my 1/48 scale kit. I WANT to sell it, then I see something cool :-\ hell it just looks cool sitting there
How about an RAF B-58K with the J-79s replaced by afterburning Speys? More fuel-efficient in subsonic cruise, more thrust in supersonic dash. There might be a US equivalent with TF-30s.
How do you represent this? Simple: use the engine pods from the 1/64th Lindberg kit on a 1/72nd airframe, or the pods from Lindberg's 1/128th version on a 1/144th airframe.
Could make an interesting diorama:
([url]http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p110/GTX_Christmas/Convair%20B-58%20Hard%20Shelter.jpg[/url])
I wouldn't be surprised at all if McNamara willfully lied in order to advance his pet project, the F-111, and B-58 just so happened to be in the way of FB-111A (and F-111A to a lesser extent).
Never mind that when fully loaded, FB-111's performance suffered much more than B-58's, and it was still shorter ranged, even though on long-range missions it would have carried just one SRAM to have the necessary range. Sure, FB-111 could on paper carry more conventional ordnance, nevermind that it was not tasked to do that until B-1B became operational and at maximum load would not have been a great performer, limiting it to smaller loads in practice (Meanwhile in Operation Bullseye, B-58 proved it could fly at 600+ kts at low altitude while carrying four MER's full of bombs).
I've been thinking of one in Aerospace Weather Service markings, such as B-47's flew in. Perhaps they could check the weather on SST routes for military SSTs?
From YouTube: Convair video on the first "tactical" B-58 Hustler (aircraft number 31) (https://youtu.be/wOXqWTQAsGk)
Hustler carrying the Grand Slam would be nice to see...