{"id":3415346,"date":"2026-07-02T15:15:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T13:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/?p=3415346"},"modified":"2026-09-04T09:20:21","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T07:20:21","slug":"the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\/","title":{"rendered":"The Convair B-58 Hustler: First Supersonic Bomber"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\nh2{padding-top:22px}\n.quick-facts{background:#f4f4f4;border-left:4px solid #1a1a1a;padding:15px 20px;margin:20px 0}\n.quick-facts ul{margin:0;padding-left:20px}\n.quick-facts li{margin-bottom:4px}\n<\/style>\n<!-- mfsh:top -->\n\n<style>\n.mfsh-trigger{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;height:44px;padding:0 18px;margin:0 0 26px;border:2px solid #0F1720;background:#fff;color:#0F1720;font-family:inherit;font-size:14px;font-weight:700;line-height:1;letter-spacing:0;text-transform:none;cursor:pointer;box-shadow:none;transition:background .15s,color .15s}\n.mfsh-trigger:hover,.mfsh-trigger:focus-visible{background:#0F1720;color:#fff;outline:none}\n.mfsh-trigger svg{width:18px;height:18px;display:block;flex-shrink:0}\n.mfsh-trigger.mfsh-bottom{margin:8px 0 28px}\n.mfsh-meta{position:relative;padding-right:190px}\n.mfsh-trigger.mfsh-inmeta{position:absolute;right:0;bottom:0;margin:0;height:30px;padding:0 8.9px;font-size:13px}\n.mfsh-trigger.mfsh-inmeta svg{width:16px;height:16px}\n.mfsh-overlay{position:fixed;inset:0;background:rgba(15,23,32,.55);z-index:99999;display:flex;align-items:flex-end;justify-content:center;opacity:0;pointer-events:none;transition:opacity .2s}\n.mfsh-overlay.mfsh-open{opacity:1;pointer-events:auto}\n.mfsh-sheet{width:100%;max-width:520px;background:#fff;color:#0F1720;padding:18px 20px 28px;transform:translateY(24px);transition:transform .22s;box-shadow:0 12px 32px rgba(15,23,32,.25);font-family:inherit;max-height:92vh;overflow:auto;-webkit-overflow-scrolling:touch}\n.mfsh-overlay.mfsh-open .mfsh-sheet{transform:none}\n@media (min-width:640px){.mfsh-overlay{align-items:center}.mfsh-sheet{padding-bottom:20px}}\n.mfsh-head{display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;margin:0 0 14px}\n.mfsh-head strong{font-size:18px;font-weight:800;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:8px;line-height:1}\n.mfsh-head strong svg{width:18px;height:18px}\n.mfsh-close{background:none;border:0;padding:6px;margin:0;cursor:pointer;color:#0F1720;line-height:0;box-shadow:none}\n.mfsh-close svg{width:18px;height:18px}\n.mfsh-preview{display:grid;grid-template-columns:96px 1fr;gap:12px;border:1px solid #DCE3EE;background:#F5F7FB;padding:10px;margin:0 0 12px;align-items:center}\n.mfsh-preview img{width:96px;height:72px;object-fit:cover;display:block;margin:0}\n.mfsh-preview .mfsh-kicker{font-size:10px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.14em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#5C91FF;margin:0 0 4px;line-height:1.2}\n.mfsh-preview .mfsh-title{font-size:14px;line-height:1.3;font-weight:700;margin:0;display:block}\n.mfsh-list{display:grid;margin:0;padding:0}\n.mfsh-item{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:14px;height:50px;width:100%;border:0;border-top:1px solid #DCE3EE;background:none;padding:0 4px;margin:0;text-align:left;font-family:inherit;font-size:15px;font-weight:600;color:#0F1720;cursor:pointer;box-shadow:none;letter-spacing:0;text-transform:none;line-height:1}\n.mfsh-item:hover,.mfsh-item:focus-visible{background:#F5F7FB;outline:none}\n.mfsh-item svg{width:20px;height:20px;color:#5C91FF;flex-shrink:0;display:block}\n.mfsh-item small{margin-left:auto;color:#5B6674;font-weight:500;font-size:12px}\n.mfsh-item.mfsh-done svg{color:#1E9E5A}\n.mfsh-toast{position:fixed;left:50%;bottom:32px;transform:translate(-50%,10px);background:#0F1720;color:#fff;padding:10px 16px;font-weight:700;font-size:13px;font-family:inherit;opacity:0;pointer-events:none;transition:opacity .2s,transform .2s;z-index:100000}\n.mfsh-toast.mfsh-show{opacity:1;transform:translate(-50%,0)}\n@media (prefers-reduced-motion:reduce){.mfsh-overlay,.mfsh-sheet,.mfsh-toast,.mfsh-trigger{transition:none}}\n<\/style>\n<svg width=\"0\" height=\"0\" style=\"position:absolute\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n  <symbol id=\"mfsh-i-share\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.9\" stroke-linecap=\"square\" d=\"M12 3v12M8 7l4-4 4 4M5 12v8h14v-8\"\/><\/symbol>\n  <symbol id=\"mfsh-i-close\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"square\" d=\"m5 5 14 14M19 5 5 19\"\/><\/symbol>\n  <symbol id=\"mfsh-i-wa\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M12 2a10 10 0 0 0-8.6 15.1L2 22l5.1-1.3A10 10 0 1 0 12 2Zm0 1.8a8.2 8.2 0 1 1-4.2 15.3l-.3-.2-3 .8.8-2.9-.2-.3A8.2 8.2 0 0 1 12 3.8Zm-3 4.4c-.2 0-.5 0-.8.4-.3.3-1 1-1 2.4s1 2.8 1.2 3c.1.2 2 3.2 5 4.4 2.5 1 3 .8 3.5.7.5 0 1.7-.7 2-1.4.2-.7.2-1.3.1-1.4l-.5-.3-2-1c-.3 0-.5-.1-.7.2l-.9 1.1c-.2.2-.3.2-.6.1-.3-.2-1.3-.5-2.4-1.5-.9-.8-1.5-1.8-1.7-2-.2-.4 0-.5.2-.7l.4-.5.3-.5v-.5l-.9-2.2c-.2-.5-.4-.5-.6-.5H9Z\"\/><\/symbol>\n  <symbol id=\"mfsh-i-x\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M17.8 3h3l-6.7 7.7L22 21h-6.2l-4.8-6.3L5.4 21h-3l7.2-8.2L2 3h6.3l4.4 5.8L17.8 3Zm-1.1 16.2h1.7L7.4 4.7H5.6l11.1 14.5Z\"\/><\/symbol>\n  <symbol id=\"mfsh-i-fb\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M13.5 22v-8h2.7l.4-3.2h-3.1V8.8c0-.9.3-1.6 1.6-1.6h1.7V4.4c-.3 0-1.3-.1-2.5-.1-2.5 0-4.1 1.5-4.1 4.2v2.3H7.4V14h2.8v8h3.3Z\"\/><\/symbol>\n  <symbol id=\"mfsh-i-li\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M6.5 8.5H3V21h3.5V8.5ZM4.8 3a2 2 0 1 0 0 4 2 2 0 0 0 0-4ZM21 13.4c0-3.4-1.8-5.2-4.5-5.2-1.6 0-2.7.8-3.2 1.7V8.5H9.9V21h3.4v-6.4c0-1.7.6-2.8 2.1-2.8 1.4 0 2 1 2 2.8V21H21v-7.6Z\"\/><\/symbol>\n  <symbol id=\"mfsh-i-rd\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M22 12.1a2.4 2.4 0 0 0-4.1-1.7 11.7 11.7 0 0 0-5.5-1.7l1-4.5 3.1.7a1.7 1.7 0 1 0 .2-1l-3.6-.8a.5.5 0 0 0-.6.4l-1.1 5.2a11.8 11.8 0 0 0-5.8 1.7A2.4 2.4 0 1 0 3 14.3v.5c0 3.4 4 6.2 9 6.2s9-2.8 9-6.2v-.5a2.4 2.4 0 0 0 1-2.2ZM7.5 13.8a1.7 1.7 0 1 1 3.4 0 1.7 1.7 0 0 1-3.4 0Zm8.9 4.5c-1.2 1.2-3.4 1.3-4.4 1.3s-3.3-.1-4.4-1.3a.5.5 0 0 1 .7-.7c.7.8 2.4 1 3.7 1s2.9-.2 3.7-1a.5.5 0 0 1 .7.7Zm-.6-2.8a1.7 1.7 0 1 1 0-3.4 1.7 1.7 0 0 1 0 3.4Z\"\/><\/symbol>\n  <symbol id=\"mfsh-i-tg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M21.9 4.6 18.7 19.9c-.2 1-.9 1.3-1.7.8l-4.9-3.6-2.3 2.3c-.3.3-.5.5-1 .5l.4-5 9-8.2c.4-.3-.1-.5-.6-.2L6.4 13.5 1.6 12c-1-.3-1.1-1 .2-1.5l18.8-7.2c.9-.3 1.6.2 1.3 1.3Z\"\/><\/symbol>\n  <symbol id=\"mfsh-i-mail\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.8\" d=\"M3 6h18v12H3z\"\/><path fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.8\" d=\"m3 7 9 6 9-6\"\/><\/symbol>\n  <symbol id=\"mfsh-i-link\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.9\" stroke-linecap=\"square\" d=\"M10 14a4 4 0 0 0 5.7 0l3-3a4 4 0 0 0-5.7-5.7l-1.5 1.5M14 10a4 4 0 0 0-5.7 0l-3 3a4 4 0 0 0 5.7 5.7l1.5-1.5\"\/><\/symbol>\n  <symbol id=\"mfsh-i-more\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><circle cx=\"5\" cy=\"12\" r=\"2\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/><circle cx=\"12\" cy=\"12\" r=\"2\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/><circle cx=\"19\" cy=\"12\" r=\"2\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/><\/symbol>\n<\/svg>\n<span class=\"mfsh-top-slot\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"mfsh-trigger\" data-mfsh-placement=\"top\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><svg><use href=\"#mfsh-i-share\"\/><\/svg>Share this story<\/button><\/span>\n<script>\n(function(){\n  if (window.__mfsh) return; window.__mfsh = true;\n  var SECTION = 'afterburner';\n  function meta(p){ var m=document.querySelector('meta[property=\"'+p+'\"]'); return m ? m.getAttribute('content') : ''; }\n  function pageUrl(){ var c=document.querySelector('link[rel=\"canonical\"]'); return (c && c.href) || (location.origin + location.pathname); }\n  function pageTitle(){ var h=document.querySelector('h1.entry-title'); return (h && h.textContent.trim()) || meta('og:title') || document.title; }\n  function slug(){ return location.pathname.replace(\/\\\/+$\/,'').split('\/').pop() || 'home'; }\n  function kicker(){ var c=document.querySelector('.et_pb_title_container a[rel=\"category tag\"], .et_pb_title_container a[rel=\"category\"], a[rel=\"category tag\"]'); return 'Afterburner' + (c && c.textContent.trim() ? ' \u00b7 ' + c.textContent.trim() : ''); }\n  function shareUrl(ch, placement){ return pageUrl() + '?utm_source=share&utm_medium=' + ch + '&utm_campaign=' + SECTION + '&utm_content=sheet_' + placement; }\n  function track(ch, placement, extra){\n    window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];\n    var ev = { event:'share', share_channel:ch, share_variant:'sheet', share_placement:placement, page_section:SECTION, content_id:slug() };\n    if (extra) for (var k in extra) ev[k]=extra[k];\n    window.dataLayer.push(ev);\n  }\n  var CH = [\n    ['whatsapp','WhatsApp','mfsh-i-wa',''],\n    ['x','X','mfsh-i-x',''],\n    ['facebook','Facebook','mfsh-i-fb',''],\n    ['linkedin','LinkedIn','mfsh-i-li',''],\n    ['reddit','Reddit','mfsh-i-rd','r\/aviation, r\/WarplanePorn'],\n    ['telegram','Telegram','mfsh-i-tg',''],\n    ['email','Email','mfsh-i-mail',''],\n    ['copy','Copy link','mfsh-i-link',''],\n    ['native','More','mfsh-i-more','Instagram, Signal, AirDrop']\n  ];\n  var overlay, toastEl, toastT, placement = 'top';\n  function build(){\n    overlay = document.createElement('div'); overlay.className = 'mfsh-overlay'; overlay.setAttribute('role','dialog'); overlay.setAttribute('aria-modal','true'); overlay.setAttribute('aria-label','Share');\n    var img = meta('og:image');\n    var items = CH.filter(function(c){ return c[0] !== 'native' || !!navigator.share; }).map(function(c){\n      return '<button type=\"button\" class=\"mfsh-item\" data-mfsh-ch=\"'+c[0]+'\"><svg><use href=\"#'+c[2]+'\"\/><\/svg>'+c[1]+(c[3]?'<small>'+c[3]+'<\/small>':'')+'<\/button>';\n    }).join('');\n    overlay.innerHTML = '<div class=\"mfsh-sheet\"><div class=\"mfsh-head\"><strong><svg><use href=\"#mfsh-i-share\"\/><\/svg>Share<\/strong><button type=\"button\" class=\"mfsh-close\" aria-label=\"Close\"><svg><use href=\"#mfsh-i-close\"\/><\/svg><\/button><\/div>'\n      + '<div class=\"mfsh-preview\">' + (img ? '<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"skip-lazy\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"'+img+'\" alt=\"\">' : '<span><\/span>') + '<div><div class=\"mfsh-kicker\">'+kicker()+'<\/div><span class=\"mfsh-title\">'+pageTitle()+'<\/span><\/div><\/div>'\n      + '<div class=\"mfsh-list\">'+items+'<\/div><\/div>';\n    document.body.appendChild(overlay);\n    toastEl = document.createElement('div'); toastEl.className = 'mfsh-toast'; document.body.appendChild(toastEl);\n    overlay.addEventListener('click', function(e){\n      if (e.target === overlay || e.target.closest('.mfsh-close')) { close(); return; }\n      var b = e.target.closest('.mfsh-item'); if (b) act(b.getAttribute('data-mfsh-ch'), b);\n    });\n    document.addEventListener('keydown', function(e){ if (e.key === 'Escape') close(); });\n  }\n  function open(p){ placement = p || 'top'; if (!overlay) build(); overlay.classList.add('mfsh-open'); track('open', placement); }\n  function close(){ if (overlay) overlay.classList.remove('mfsh-open'); }\n  function toast(m){ toastEl.textContent = m; toastEl.classList.add('mfsh-show'); clearTimeout(toastT); toastT = setTimeout(function(){ toastEl.classList.remove('mfsh-show'); }, 1600); }\n  function act(ch, btn){\n    var url = shareUrl(ch, placement), t = pageTitle(), enc = encodeURIComponent;\n    if (ch === 'copy') {\n      var done = function(){ toast('Link copied'); btn.classList.add('mfsh-done'); setTimeout(function(){ btn.classList.remove('mfsh-done'); close(); }, 900); };\n      track(ch, placement);\n      if (navigator.clipboard && navigator.clipboard.writeText) navigator.clipboard.writeText(url).then(done, done); else done();\n      return;\n    }\n    if (ch === 'native') {\n      track(ch, placement, { share_result:'opened' });\n      navigator.share({ title:t, text:t, url:url }).then(function(){ track('native', placement, { share_result:'completed' }); close(); }).catch(function(){});\n      return;\n    }\n    var target = {\n      whatsapp: 'https:\/\/api.whatsapp.com\/send?text=' + enc(t + ' ' + url),\n      x:        'https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=' + enc(t) + '&url=' + enc(url) + '&via=MiGFlug',\n      facebook: 'https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=' + enc(url),\n      linkedin: 'https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/sharing\/share-offsite\/?url=' + enc(url),\n      reddit:   'https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=' + enc(url) + '&title=' + enc(t),\n      telegram: 'https:\/\/t.me\/share\/url?url=' + enc(url) + '&text=' + enc(t),\n      email:    'mailto:?subject=' + enc(t) + '&body=' + enc('Thought you would like this, from Afterburner, MiGFlug\\'s magazine:\\n' + t + '\\n' + url)\n    }[ch];\n    track(ch, placement);\n    if (target) { if (ch === 'email') location.href = target; else window.open(target, '_blank', 'noopener,width=680,height=560'); }\n    close();\n  }\n  var mq = window.matchMedia('(min-width:981px)');\n  function place(){\n    var t = document.querySelector('.mfsh-trigger[data-mfsh-placement=\"top\"]'), slot = document.querySelector('.mfsh-top-slot');\n    var meta = [].slice.call(document.querySelectorAll('.et_pb_title_meta_container, .et_post_meta_wrapper .post-meta, .single .post-meta')).filter(function(m){ return m.offsetParent !== null; })[0];\n    if (!t || !slot) return;\n    if (meta && mq.matches) { meta.classList.add('mfsh-meta'); t.classList.add('mfsh-inmeta'); if (t.parentNode !== meta) meta.appendChild(t); var a = meta.querySelector('a'); if (a) { var pr = document.createElement('span'); pr.style.cssText = 'display:inline-block;width:0;height:0;vertical-align:baseline'; a.appendChild(pr); var base = pr.getBoundingClientRect().bottom; pr.remove(); var fs = parseFloat(getComputedStyle(a).fontSize) || 14, mb = meta.getBoundingClientRect().bottom; t.style.bottom = Math.max(0, mb - (base + fs * 0.12)) + 'px'; } }\n    else { t.classList.remove('mfsh-inmeta'); if (t.parentNode !== slot) slot.appendChild(t); }\n  }\n  if (document.readyState === 'loading') document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', place); else place(); window.addEventListener('load', place); if (document.fonts && document.fonts.ready) document.fonts.ready.then(place); window.addEventListener('resize', place);\n  if (mq.addEventListener) mq.addEventListener('change', place); else mq.addListener(place);\n  document.addEventListener('click', function(e){ var b = e.target.closest('.mfsh-trigger'); if (b) { e.preventDefault(); open(b.getAttribute('data-mfsh-placement') || 'top'); } });\n})();\n<\/script><!-- \/mfsh:top -->\n<p>The Convair B-58 Hustler was the world's first operational supersonic bomber \u2014 a Mach 2 delta-wing marvel that could outrun every interceptor of its era. It was also one of the most dangerous aircraft in the United States Air Force inventory, killing more than one in five of its aircrews during barely a decade of service.<\/p><div class=\"quick-facts\">\n<strong>Quick Facts<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>First flight:<\/strong> 11 November 1956<\/li>\n<li><strong>Role:<\/strong> Supersonic strategic bomber<\/li>\n<li><strong>Manufacturer:<\/strong> Convair (General Dynamics)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Engines:<\/strong> 4 \u00d7 General Electric J79-GE-5B turbojets<\/li>\n<li><strong>Top speed:<\/strong> Mach 2.0 (1,319 mph \/ 2,124 km\/h)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Crew:<\/strong> 3 (pilot, navigator-bombardier, defence systems operator)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Built:<\/strong> 116<\/li>\n<li><strong>Service:<\/strong> 1960\u20131970 (USAF Strategic Air Command)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Born for Speed<\/h2>\n<p>In the early 1950s, the U.S. Air Force needed a bomber that could fly fast enough and high enough to penetrate Soviet air defences. Convair's answer was radical: a slim delta-wing airframe powered by four General Electric J79 afterburning turbojets \u2014 the same engines that would later power the <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/aircraft\/f-104-starfighter\">F-104<\/a> Starfighter and <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/aircraft\/f-4-phantom-ii\">F-4<\/a> Phantom II. Instead of an internal bomb bay, the B-58 carried its nuclear weapon and extra fuel in a massive external pod slung beneath the fuselage, which could be dropped over the target.<\/p>\n\n<p>Test pilot Beryl Erickson took the first B-58 airborne on 11 November 1956 from Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas. The aircraft exceeded Mach 1 on its maiden flight \u2014 something no bomber had ever done before.<\/p>\n\n\n<div style=\"position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;height:0;overflow:hidden;margin:24px 0\"><iframe class=\"skip-lazy\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yalg7GsqkCY\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0;border-radius:8px\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Speed Records and the Thompson Trophy<\/h2>\n<p>The Hustler was not just fast for a bomber \u2014 it was fast, period. Over its career it set 19 world speed records, more than any other bomber in history. Its most famous run came on 5 March 1962 during Operation Heat Rise, when a B-58 flew from Los Angeles to New York in 2 hours, 0 minutes, and 58.71 seconds, averaging 1,044 mph. The feat earned its crew the prestigious Bendix Trophy.<\/p>\n\n<p>On the return leg the same day, the crew set another record flying back from New York to Los Angeles. The Thompson Trophy, Mackay Trophy, and Bleriot Trophy all went to B-58 crews during this period. No other Cold War bomber came close to matching its collection of speed awards.<\/p>\n\n\n<div style=\"position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;height:0;overflow:hidden;margin:24px 0\"><iframe class=\"skip-lazy\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BIwaBL4cDwc\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0;border-radius:8px\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n\n<h2>The Escape Capsule Problem<\/h2>\n<p>Flying at Mach 2 above 40,000 feet created a problem no previous bomber crew had faced: conventional ejection seats were useless. At those speeds, windblast alone would kill any crewmember who ejected into the open airstream. The solution was the Stanley Aviation escape capsule \u2014 a clamshell pod that enclosed each crewmember before ejection, complete with its own oxygen supply and flotation gear.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\" style=\"margin:0 0 24px\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"skip-lazy\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/b58-hustler-escape-capsule.jpg\" alt=\"Stanley Aviation escape capsule for the B-58 Hustler crew\" style=\"max-width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:6px\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:13px;color:#777;text-align:center;margin-top:6px;font-style:italic\">The B-58 introduced the first enclosed escape capsule for high-speed ejection \u2014 a necessity at Mach 2 altitudes where windblast would kill an exposed pilot.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>The capsule was revolutionary but complicated. It added weight, took valuable seconds to close before ejection, and gave crewmembers an uncomfortable feeling of being sealed into a coffin. Only one successful capsule ejection occurred in combat-speed conditions during the aircraft's service life.<\/p>\n\n<h2>A Deadly Record<\/h2>\n<p>The B-58's accident rate was staggering. Of the 116 aircraft built, 26 were destroyed in accidents \u2014 an attrition rate of 22.4 percent. The aircraft was unforgiving of pilot error, particularly during landing. Its thin delta wing required very high approach speeds and offered almost no margin for recovery if something went wrong.<\/p>\n\n<p>The nuclear mission profile made things worse. Crews trained for low-level penetration runs at near-supersonic speed, threading between mountains and radar coverage. A single mistake at those altitudes and speeds left no time to react. The Hustler demanded the best pilots SAC had, and even they sometimes were not enough.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Retirement After Just Ten Years<\/h2>\n<p>By the mid-1960s, the Soviet Union had deployed surface-to-air missiles that could reach the B-58's operating altitude. The aircraft's design left no room for electronic countermeasures equipment, and its high operating costs \u2014 roughly three times those of a <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/aircraft\/b-52-stratofortress\">B-52<\/a> \u2014 made it an expensive platform to maintain. When Defence Secretary Robert McNamara ordered a review of SAC's bomber fleet, the Hustler's fate was sealed.<\/p>\n\n<p>The last B-58s were retired on 31 January 1970, after barely a decade of operational service. Most were scrapped at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. A handful survive as museum displays, including examples at the National Museum of the United States Air Force and the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum.<\/p>\n\n<!-- mf-faq -->\n\n<div class=\"mf-faq-block\"><style>.mf-faq-block{margin:34px 0}.mf-faq-item:not([open]) .mf-faq-answer{display:none !important}.mf-faq-block h2.mf-faq-h{padding-top:22px;margin-bottom:14px}.mf-faq-item{border:1px solid #e2e8f5;border-radius:8px;margin:0 0 10px;background:#fff}.mf-faq-item summary{list-style:none;cursor:pointer;padding:15px 50px 15px 18px;font-weight:600;color:#1a1a1a;position:relative;line-height:1.45;user-select:none}.mf-faq-item summary::-webkit-details-marker{display:none}.mf-faq-item summary::after{content:\"+\";position:absolute;right:18px;top:50%;transform:translateY(-50%);font-size:1.5em;font-weight:400;color:#5C91FF;line-height:1}.mf-faq-item[open] summary::after{content:\"\\2013\"}.mf-faq-item[open] summary{border-bottom:1px solid #eef1f8}.mf-faq-item summary:hover{background:#f5f8ff}.mf-faq-answer{padding:14px 18px;color:#333;line-height:1.6}.mf-faq-answer p{margin:0}.mf-faq-answer a{color:#5C91FF}<\/style><h2 class=\"mf-faq-h\">Related Questions<\/h2><details class=\"mf-faq-item\"><summary>What was the Convair B-58 Hustler?<\/summary><div class=\"mf-faq-answer\"><p>The Convair B-58 Hustler was the world's first operational supersonic bomber, a delta-wing strategic bomber that entered US Air Force service in 1960. Capable of Mach 2, it could outrun every interceptor of its era. It served with Strategic Air Command until 1970, but a high accident rate cut its career short. Only 116 were built.<\/p><\/div><\/details><details class=\"mf-faq-item\"><summary>Was the B-58 Hustler the first supersonic bomber?<\/summary><div class=\"mf-faq-answer\"><p>Yes. The B-58 Hustler was the first operational bomber able to fly at supersonic speed in level flight, reaching Mach 2. It first flew on 11 November 1956 and exceeded Mach 1 on its maiden flight, something no bomber had done before. Later supersonic designs such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/the-xb-70-valkyrie-when-a-pr-photo-shoot-killed-the-fastest-bomber-ever-built\/\">XB-70 Valkyrie<\/a> flew even faster but never entered service.<\/p><\/div><\/details><details class=\"mf-faq-item\"><summary>Why was the B-58 Hustler so dangerous to fly?<\/summary><div class=\"mf-faq-answer\"><p>The B-58 was extremely demanding. Of the 116 built, 26 were lost in accidents, killing more than one in five of its aircrews during barely a decade of service. Flying at Mach 2 left little margin for error, and emergencies at high speed and altitude were often unrecoverable, which contributed to its early retirement in 1970.<\/p><\/div><\/details><details class=\"mf-faq-item\"><summary>What engines did the B-58 Hustler use?<\/summary><div class=\"mf-faq-answer\"><p>The B-58 was powered by four General Electric J79 afterburning turbojets, mounted in individual pods under its delta wing. The same J79 engine also powered the <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/the-f-104-starfighter-how-germany-turned-a-masterpiece-into-the-widowmaker\/\">F-104 Starfighter<\/a> and the F-4 Phantom II, making it one of the defining jet engines of the Cold War.<\/p><\/div><\/details><details class=\"mf-faq-item\"><summary>How fast was the B-58 Hustler?<\/summary><div class=\"mf-faq-answer\"><p>The B-58 Hustler could reach Mach 2, about 1,319 mph. It set 19 world speed records, more than any other bomber in history. During Operation Heat Rise in 1962, a B-58 flew from Los Angeles to New York in just over two hours, averaging 1,044 mph and earning its crew the Bendix Trophy.<\/p><\/div><\/details><details class=\"mf-faq-item\"><summary>Why did the B-58 carry its bombs in an external pod?<\/summary><div class=\"mf-faq-answer\"><p>Instead of an internal bomb bay, the B-58 carried its nuclear weapon and extra fuel in a large external pod slung beneath the fuselage, which could be dropped over the target. Its slim delta-wing airframe had no room for a conventional bomb bay, so the pod let the bomber stay aerodynamically clean for Mach 2 flight.<\/p><\/div><\/details><details class=\"mf-faq-item\"><summary>What was the B-58's escape capsule?<\/summary><div class=\"mf-faq-answer\"><p>Because conventional ejection seats were useless at Mach 2, the B-58 introduced the Stanley Aviation escape capsule, a clamshell pod that sealed each crewmember before ejection with its own oxygen and flotation gear. It was the first enclosed escape capsule designed for high-speed ejection, protecting crews from windblast that would otherwise be fatal.<\/p><\/div><\/details><details class=\"mf-faq-item\"><summary>How many B-58 Hustlers were built?<\/summary><div class=\"mf-faq-answer\"><p>Only 116 B-58 Hustlers were built. It carried a crew of three, a pilot, navigator-bombardier and defence systems operator, and served with Strategic Air Command from 1960 to 1970. Its high cost and accident rate meant it was retired far sooner than most Cold War bombers.<\/p><\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What was the Convair B-58 Hustler?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The Convair B-58 Hustler was the world's first operational supersonic bomber, a delta-wing strategic bomber that entered US Air Force service in 1960. Capable of Mach 2, it could outrun every interceptor of its era. It served with Strategic Air Command until 1970, but a high accident rate cut its career short. Only 116 were built.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Was the B-58 Hustler the first supersonic bomber?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes. The B-58 Hustler was the first operational bomber able to fly at supersonic speed in level flight, reaching Mach 2. It first flew on 11 November 1956 and exceeded Mach 1 on its maiden flight, something no bomber had done before. Later supersonic designs such as the <a href=\\\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/the-xb-70-valkyrie-when-a-pr-photo-shoot-killed-the-fastest-bomber-ever-built\/\\\">XB-70 Valkyrie<\/a> flew even faster but never entered service.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Why was the B-58 Hustler so dangerous to fly?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The B-58 was extremely demanding. Of the 116 built, 26 were lost in accidents, killing more than one in five of its aircrews during barely a decade of service. Flying at Mach 2 left little margin for error, and emergencies at high speed and altitude were often unrecoverable, which contributed to its early retirement in 1970.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What engines did the B-58 Hustler use?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The B-58 was powered by four General Electric J79 afterburning turbojets, mounted in individual pods under its delta wing. The same J79 engine also powered the <a href=\\\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/the-f-104-starfighter-how-germany-turned-a-masterpiece-into-the-widowmaker\/\\\">F-104 Starfighter<\/a> and the F-4 Phantom II, making it one of the defining jet engines of the Cold War.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How fast was the B-58 Hustler?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The B-58 Hustler could reach Mach 2, about 1,319 mph. It set 19 world speed records, more than any other bomber in history. During Operation Heat Rise in 1962, a B-58 flew from Los Angeles to New York in just over two hours, averaging 1,044 mph and earning its crew the Bendix Trophy.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Why did the B-58 carry its bombs in an external pod?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Instead of an internal bomb bay, the B-58 carried its nuclear weapon and extra fuel in a large external pod slung beneath the fuselage, which could be dropped over the target. Its slim delta-wing airframe had no room for a conventional bomb bay, so the pod let the bomber stay aerodynamically clean for Mach 2 flight.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What was the B-58's escape capsule?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Because conventional ejection seats were useless at Mach 2, the B-58 introduced the Stanley Aviation escape capsule, a clamshell pod that sealed each crewmember before ejection with its own oxygen and flotation gear. It was the first enclosed escape capsule designed for high-speed ejection, protecting crews from windblast that would otherwise be fatal.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How many B-58 Hustlers were built?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Only 116 B-58 Hustlers were built. It carried a crew of three, a pilot, navigator-bombardier and defence systems operator, and served with Strategic Air Command from 1960 to 1970. Its high cost and accident rate meant it was retired far sooner than most Cold War bombers.\"}}]}<\/script><!-- \/mf-faq -->\n\n<!-- mfsh:bottom -->\n\n<button type=\"button\" class=\"mfsh-trigger mfsh-bottom\" data-mfsh-placement=\"bottom\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><svg><use href=\"#mfsh-i-share\"\/><\/svg>Share this story<\/button>\n\n<!-- \/mfsh:bottom -->\n\n<div style=\"position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;height:0;overflow:hidden;margin:24px 0\"><iframe class=\"skip-lazy\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IUVoypQtgRE\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0;border-radius:8px\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Sources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Convair_B-58_Hustler\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wikipedia \u2014 Convair B-58 Hustler<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.af.mil\/About-Us\/Fact-Sheets\/Display\/Article\/104467\/b-58-hustler\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">USAF Fact Sheet \u2014 B-58 Hustler<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalmuseum.af.mil\/Visit\/Museum-Exhibits\/Fact-Sheets\/Display\/Article\/196043\/convair-b-58a-hustler\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Museum of the USAF \u2014 Convair B-58A Hustler<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2>Related Posts<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/the-f-104-starfighter-how-germany-turned-a-masterpiece-into-the-widowmaker\/\">The F-104 Starfighter: How Germany Turned a Masterpiece Into the Widowmaker<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/convair-f2y-sea-dart-supersonic-seaplane-fighter\/\">The Supersonic Fighter That Took Off From the Sea<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/douglas-f4d-skyray-speed-climb-records\/\">The Manta Ray That Broke the Speed Record<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Share this story The Convair B-58 Hustler was the world&#8217;s first operational supersonic bomber \u2014 a Mach 2 delta-wing marvel that could outrun every interceptor of its era. It was also one of the most dangerous aircraft in the United States Air Force inventory, killing more than one in five of its aircrews during barely [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":3414379,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"editor_notices":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[666,664],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3415346","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-history-and-legends","category-military-aviation"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Convair B-58 Hustler: First Supersonic Bomber | Afterburner - MiGFlug&#039;s Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Convair B-58 Hustler was the world&#039;s first supersonic bomber \u2014 a Mach 2 delta-wing marvel, and one of the deadliest aircraft the USAF flew.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Convair B-58 Hustler: First Supersonic Bomber | Afterburner - MiGFlug&#039;s Magazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Convair B-58 Hustler was the world&#039;s first supersonic bomber \u2014 a Mach 2 delta-wing marvel, and one of the deadliest aircraft the USAF flew.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Afterburner - MiGFlug&#039;s Magazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MiGFlug\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-07-02T13:15:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-09-04T07:20:21+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/convair-b58-hustler-mach2.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"960\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"698\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Max Gr\u00fcnwald\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@migflug\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@migflug\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Max Gr\u00fcnwald\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Max Gr\u00fcnwald\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/it\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/da89e4a5834c9a932ee20751ed75569c\"},\"headline\":\"The Convair B-58 Hustler: First Supersonic Bomber\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-02T13:15:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-09-04T07:20:21+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1218,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/it\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/convair-b58-hustler-mach2.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"History &amp; Legends\",\"Military Aviation\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\\\/\",\"name\":\"The Convair B-58 Hustler: First Supersonic Bomber | Afterburner - MiGFlug's Magazine\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/it\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/convair-b58-hustler-mach2.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-02T13:15:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-09-04T07:20:21+00:00\",\"description\":\"The Convair B-58 Hustler was the world's first supersonic bomber \u2014 a Mach 2 delta-wing marvel, and one of the deadliest aircraft the USAF flew.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/convair-b58-hustler-mach2.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/convair-b58-hustler-mach2.jpg\",\"width\":960,\"height\":698,\"caption\":\"Convair B-58 Hustler Mach2\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Startseite\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/it\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"The Convair B-58 Hustler: First Supersonic Bomber\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/it\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/it\\\/\",\"name\":\"Afterburner - MiGFlug's Magazine\",\"description\":\"for those interested in flying military jets and aviation related  topics\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/it\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/it\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/it\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"MiGFlug GmbH\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/it\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/it\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ml5psubhxdln.i.optimole.com\\\/cb:0e0_.b970\\\/w:897\\\/h:278\\\/q:mauto\\\/ig:avif\\\/https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/MIGFLUG_LOGO-no-background.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ml5psubhxdln.i.optimole.com\\\/cb:0e0_.b970\\\/w:897\\\/h:278\\\/q:mauto\\\/ig:avif\\\/https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/MIGFLUG_LOGO-no-background.png\",\"width\":897,\"height\":278,\"caption\":\"MiGFlug GmbH\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/it\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/MiGFlug\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/migflug\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/migflug\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/user\\\/MiGFlug\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/migflug.com\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pinterest.ch\\\/migflug\\\/\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/it\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/da89e4a5834c9a932ee20751ed75569c\",\"name\":\"Max Gr\u00fcnwald\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/4a7af37924a5c24d0712babd0e5eafec09d37b3a41831dd4c4ee30f54ebfc1a7?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/4a7af37924a5c24d0712babd0e5eafec09d37b3a41831dd4c4ee30f54ebfc1a7?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/4a7af37924a5c24d0712babd0e5eafec09d37b3a41831dd4c4ee30f54ebfc1a7?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Max Gr\u00fcnwald\"},\"description\":\"Max Gr\u00fcnwald writes MiGFlug\u2019s technical deep-dives \u2014 engines, avionics and weapons systems, with every number checked twice.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/migflug.com\\\/afterburner\\\/author\\\/maxgruenwald\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The Convair B-58 Hustler: First Supersonic Bomber | Afterburner - MiGFlug's Magazine","description":"The Convair B-58 Hustler was the world's first supersonic bomber \u2014 a Mach 2 delta-wing marvel, and one of the deadliest aircraft the USAF flew.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"The Convair B-58 Hustler: First Supersonic Bomber | Afterburner - MiGFlug's Magazine","og_description":"The Convair B-58 Hustler was the world's first supersonic bomber \u2014 a Mach 2 delta-wing marvel, and one of the deadliest aircraft the USAF flew.","og_url":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\/","og_site_name":"Afterburner - MiGFlug's Magazine","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MiGFlug\/","article_published_time":"2026-07-02T13:15:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-09-04T07:20:21+00:00","og_image":[{"width":960,"height":698,"url":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/convair-b58-hustler-mach2.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Max Gr\u00fcnwald","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@migflug","twitter_site":"@migflug","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Max Gr\u00fcnwald","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\/"},"author":{"name":"Max Gr\u00fcnwald","@id":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/it\/#\/schema\/person\/da89e4a5834c9a932ee20751ed75569c"},"headline":"The Convair B-58 Hustler: First Supersonic Bomber","datePublished":"2026-07-02T13:15:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-09-04T07:20:21+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\/"},"wordCount":1218,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/it\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/convair-b58-hustler-mach2.jpg","articleSection":["History &amp; Legends","Military Aviation"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\/","url":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\/","name":"The Convair B-58 Hustler: First Supersonic Bomber | Afterburner - MiGFlug's Magazine","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/it\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/convair-b58-hustler-mach2.jpg","datePublished":"2026-07-02T13:15:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-09-04T07:20:21+00:00","description":"The Convair B-58 Hustler was the world's first supersonic bomber \u2014 a Mach 2 delta-wing marvel, and one of the deadliest aircraft the USAF flew.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/convair-b58-hustler-mach2.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/convair-b58-hustler-mach2.jpg","width":960,"height":698,"caption":"Convair B-58 Hustler Mach2"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/the-convair-b-58-hustler-first-supersonic-bomber\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Startseite","item":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/it\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"The Convair B-58 Hustler: First Supersonic Bomber"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/it\/#website","url":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/it\/","name":"Afterburner - MiGFlug's Magazine","description":"for those interested in flying military jets and aviation related  topics","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/it\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/it\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/it\/#organization","name":"MiGFlug GmbH","url":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/it\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/it\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/ml5psubhxdln.i.optimole.com\/cb:0e0_.b970\/w:897\/h:278\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/06\/MIGFLUG_LOGO-no-background.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/ml5psubhxdln.i.optimole.com\/cb:0e0_.b970\/w:897\/h:278\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/06\/MIGFLUG_LOGO-no-background.png","width":897,"height":278,"caption":"MiGFlug GmbH"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/it\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MiGFlug\/","https:\/\/x.com\/migflug","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/migflug\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/MiGFlug","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/migflug.com\/","https:\/\/www.pinterest.ch\/migflug\/"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/it\/#\/schema\/person\/da89e4a5834c9a932ee20751ed75569c","name":"Max Gr\u00fcnwald","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4a7af37924a5c24d0712babd0e5eafec09d37b3a41831dd4c4ee30f54ebfc1a7?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4a7af37924a5c24d0712babd0e5eafec09d37b3a41831dd4c4ee30f54ebfc1a7?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4a7af37924a5c24d0712babd0e5eafec09d37b3a41831dd4c4ee30f54ebfc1a7?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Max Gr\u00fcnwald"},"description":"Max Gr\u00fcnwald writes MiGFlug\u2019s technical deep-dives \u2014 engines, avionics and weapons systems, with every number checked twice.","url":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/author\/maxgruenwald\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3415346","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3415346"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3415346\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20009485,"href":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3415346\/revisions\/20009485"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3414379"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3415346"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3415346"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3415346"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}