Own and display a very rare piece of Convair B-58 Hustler Mach-2 high-altitude and high-speed strategic bomber - paired with Ron Cole's stunning composition of this aircraft in its intended role against Soviet forces.
The B-58 was designed to fly at high altitudes and supersonic speeds to avoid Soviet interceptors, but with the Soviet introduction of high-altitude surface-to-air missiles, the B-58 was forced to adopt a low-level penetration role that severely limited its range and strategic value. It was never used to deliver conventional bombs. The B-58 was substantially more expensive to operate than other bombers, such as the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, and required more frequent aerial refueling. The B-58 also suffered from a high rate of accidental losses. These factors resulted in a relatively brief operational career of ten years.
B-58 s/n 55-0665 was the seventh Hustler manufactured and was used for numerous testing purposes, including systems for the YF-12A, before being retired and subsequently abandoned in the Mojavi Desert on the grounds of Edwards Air Force Base. A single wing panel was obtained in mid-1980s from which the pieces included in these displays have been cut. The rare aircraft remains on site but in terribly stripped condition and off limits to the public.
This series will be strictly limited to 100 signed & numbered displays.
