davparlr
Senior Master Sergeant
I have always been impressed by the B-58, mainly for the looks. I decided to take look and see how this amazing, and dangerous, aircraft would stack up against the contemporary interceptor aircraft. So, here are some stats
Wing Loading (wt/area)
B-58 44
F-4 78
F-106 52
F-104 105
Lightning 88
Mig-21 63
Thrust to Weight (lbsThrust/wt)
B-58 .78
F-4 .86
F-106 .71
F-104 .75
Lightning .78
Mig-21 .79
Max Speed (Mach)
B-58 2.1
F-4 2.23
F-106 2.3
F-104 2.2
Lightning 2.27 (after 1965)
Mig-21 2.05
Service Ceiling (kft)
B-58 63.4
F-4 60
F-106 57
F-104 50k
Lightning 60+ (after 1965)
Mig-21 62.3
So it is apparent that the B-58 had very similar performance with contemporary interceptors, which is an obvious advantage since the interceptors must climb to intercept. Once there, the B-58 typically had an altitude performance capability advantage, particularly over the Mig, which was slower. Now throw in the fact that the missiles in that era were particularly inefficient, and that the B-58 had a 20mm Vulcan canon for a tail stinger, and you have a potent weapons system….if it all worked. It was notoriously unreliable due to advanced and immature avionics. Also, due to the uniqueness of the delta wing, it was difficult to fly and had some inherent dangers, such as supersonic asymmetrical thrust with engine failure and instant obliteration. Apparently crews got used to it and appreciated its capabilities. I worked with a B-58 pilot and I think he was proud of it and spoke of the dangerous nature, but not in a hostile manner. The demise came with the improved ground-to-air missiles.
Still, it was a magnificent and beautiful aircraft.
Wing Loading (wt/area)
B-58 44
F-4 78
F-106 52
F-104 105
Lightning 88
Mig-21 63
Thrust to Weight (lbsThrust/wt)
B-58 .78
F-4 .86
F-106 .71
F-104 .75
Lightning .78
Mig-21 .79
Max Speed (Mach)
B-58 2.1
F-4 2.23
F-106 2.3
F-104 2.2
Lightning 2.27 (after 1965)
Mig-21 2.05
Service Ceiling (kft)
B-58 63.4
F-4 60
F-106 57
F-104 50k
Lightning 60+ (after 1965)
Mig-21 62.3
So it is apparent that the B-58 had very similar performance with contemporary interceptors, which is an obvious advantage since the interceptors must climb to intercept. Once there, the B-58 typically had an altitude performance capability advantage, particularly over the Mig, which was slower. Now throw in the fact that the missiles in that era were particularly inefficient, and that the B-58 had a 20mm Vulcan canon for a tail stinger, and you have a potent weapons system….if it all worked. It was notoriously unreliable due to advanced and immature avionics. Also, due to the uniqueness of the delta wing, it was difficult to fly and had some inherent dangers, such as supersonic asymmetrical thrust with engine failure and instant obliteration. Apparently crews got used to it and appreciated its capabilities. I worked with a B-58 pilot and I think he was proud of it and spoke of the dangerous nature, but not in a hostile manner. The demise came with the improved ground-to-air missiles.
Still, it was a magnificent and beautiful aircraft.
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