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Senior Member
The Hustler
As some of you may know, I served in the USAF at Little Rock AFB. Being the history buff I am, I researched the base's history and learned the base had once hosted the B-58 Hustler from 1964 to 1970.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-58_Hustler
There are several static displays on the base, including C-130s, a B-47, B-57B, C-123, RF-101 Voodoo and a C-119.
A couple of days ago, I noticed a large, distinctive tank/pod in a parking lot that got me wondering what it belonged to. Should I dare to hope it was from a B-58? Indeed it was, because yesterday as I was leaving the base, I passed a B-58 fuselage and wings that were heading on base.
Looks like we're going to have a Hustler display soon, I'm very happy.
I took pictures and got closer until I was told to stay on the grass, lol.








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Senior Member
Wow! Very cool! The -58 is one of my favorites, many thanks for the pictures!
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Senior Member
Checking around a little and using that serial # 0668, it appears that this aircraft may be a TB-58A Hustler, s/n 55-0668 which
came from the Lone Star Flight museum where it was damaged back in 2008 by a hurricane.
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Senior Member
Nice pictures. 
The main landing gear looks rather complex - in fact I can't see how it worked at all. Obviously designed to fit into a rather thin wing somehow or other....
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Senior Member
I think the main gear retracted straight back. At least, that's what it looks like on the old grainy videos.
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Senior Member
Absolutely awesome looking machine ,I guess it may be a sign of growing old but the hardware of the 50s-80s seems soooo much cooler than 'Stealth' tech ...
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Senior Member
The part of the gear *I* found intriguing was the nose gear, once you realize that the pod is in the way. I couldn't get close enough, and had never really wondered about it before, but it must have to rotate forward as the top is drawn aft to clear the weapon/fuel pod.
For the main gear, I believe where the upper "V" part meets the lower strut, it bends like a knee, with the upper folding forward, the lower rotates aft and the wheels are curled back and tucked in. The wheel wells were pressurized and air conditioned because of heat generated by Mach 2 flight.

Ah, found a semi-decent video, gear operation @ 6:40.
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Senior Member
Nice video, Cajun. 
Yes, the nose gear design is clever too - I'd just assumed it retracted backwards, and hadn't thought about the pod.
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Senior Member
Awesome!Next to the Lockheed Constellation has always gotten my vote for the most beautiful aircraft ever built. My husband's cousin it's also my understanding used to fly these for a while when not flying B-52's (was a Col. in S.A.C.), sadly however that's the extent of the information my husband has never keeping contact with that part of the family.
Here are a couple of other videos you might like.The first having a song I believe just fits perfectly with the video (note also Gen. Stewart is flying). The second having some nice views.
K2
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Senior Member
This might help explain how the landing gear operates:
Main Gear Assembly Animation
http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~t_miyama/b58leg1.gif
Front Gear Assembly Animation
http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~t_miyama/b58leg2.gif