The author flew in this supersonic bomber and was the B-58 subject matter expert in the Pentagon. He tells the true story of how the B-58 came to a premature death in the U.S. military, largely because of infighting among military and civilian leaders. It was a technological marvel for its time and the very best pilots and navigators were chosen to fly this unique aircraft. At its maximum speed of 2.2 Mach (1,452 mph) it was 2½ times faster than the muzzle velocity of a .45 caliber bullet. It could fly faster and out turn must fighters of its day undetectable by enemy radars due to its speed and low radar cross section and was better at flying through heavy turbulence due to its solid delta wing design. It had a highly accurate navigation and bombing system and had a capsule and was also capable of flying close to tree top level just below the speed of sound.
Commission Earned
If you can't look at the money allocated to "defense" and NOT realize that likely 90% is pure waste, graft, or general mismanagement, then you haven't been paying enough attention. Just look at the F-35. The only thing that kept it going was a purposeful and calculated subcontracting of everything on the plane across virtually every Congressional district in the US. Defense of our nation is certainly important, but when folks are up in arms over ANY cuts to spending, while knowing full well that the current "spending" is a bottomless pit of waste, nothing is ever going to get fixed. Just because the word "Defense" is in the preamble of the Constitution doesn't mean that it should get a blank check for EVERYTHING.
ReplyDeletewhile true enough, what does it have to do with the B58?
DeleteAddressing this book directly, I enjoyed the read very much. I've always been a fan of this aircraft, but contrary to the title the story of its inception, design, deployment & withdrawal are quite complex. Yes, engineering, politics (local, federal & geo) & accounting all played a role. One could suggest that one of the biggest arguments its detractors could wield was the loss rate. This aircraft was so radically different in terms of construction, operation & maintenance that the loss rate isn't shocking -- you could even argue it was lower than expected. Remember, this was not too long after the time when "transition training" meant 30 minutes of an experienced pilot pointing to the instrument panel & off you go. The giveaway is that most pilots are said to have loved the aircraft wholeheartedly or hated it with a passion, very little in between. Disclaimer: my comments are the product of reading many sources (including this book) & not any actual, personal experience.
ReplyDeleteAs Anon @1219 said this is a good read. It is one not only for reading but also for retention and reference. There is good information on how years ago, the decisions were made for keeping or discarding the various medium and heavy bombers.
ReplyDeleteDave
So what was the outrageous blunder?
ReplyDeleteCome on. spill it.
As a teen I held a .45 in both hands on an angle of (+/-) 35° and fired several rounds from a bluff on Lake Erie, both eyes open, and watched the base of the bullet going downrange.
ReplyDeleteI've done that, elsewhere, of course, with an 8" howitzer.
Delete"Flying at subsonic speed, the Hustler had a 2,000 mile range. When a 450-mile supersonic sprint was included in the mission, the range dropped to 1,500 miles."
ReplyDeleteConsider the bomber loss rate for Linebacker II if that aircraft was indeed as good as the author said it was and the Buffs had not been sent Downtown.
ReplyDeleteMy memory may be off but I recall reading that one of the reasons for the loss of B52s in the big VN campaigns was, frankly, operational stupidity. Allegedly the planes were routed repetitively & with predictable timing for the convenience of the planners. Believable, when one party has absolutely no skin in the game.
DeleteMy daddy built those at Convair, General Dynamics in San Diego. He was a machine shop supervisor. Ended up resigning in 1964, because the 102, 106 and hustler were over.
ReplyDeleteHe then went to Saigon to run the machine shop at Tan Son Nhut Air base. He made lots of money there, stayed till '72. Brought home a wonderful Viet Namese wife. I didn't see much of my dad from age 13 on. Fortunately Mom was old school smart, born in 1913.
Not unlike the Avro Arrow, Canadian bomber. Ahead of it's time and cancelled but a weak government.
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