The Mach 2+ Convair B-58 Hustler, the world's first supersonic bomber, and considered quite advanced when first flown in 1956, made an important contribution to U.S. military aviation history. As a front-line USAF intercontinental strategic nuclear medium-weight bomber, the B-58 served America well as a deterrent force from 1960 to 1970. Not used in combat, the B-58 nonetheless did play a useful role in the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1963.
Relatively small, fast, and sleek, the Hustler exhibited the feel and performance of a supersonic jet interceptor. The B-58 was sensationally hot, very loud, and a recipient of many trophies and international records for both speed and altitude. Only 116 airframes were built and 2 active SAC wings deployed, as superior adversary defenses (Soviet SAMs), new ICBMs (such as the Minuteman), and fresh competing supersonic bomber designs (like the FB-111) took precedence. The program also suffered from high costs and excessive hull loss rates. The elite B-58 aircrews, however, generally liked the high-performance Hustler. Many of the technology innovations commercialized in the B-58 (composite honeycomb sandwich construction, drag reduction via the "area rule" and conical-camber wings, enclosed crew escape capsules, etc.) were applied well to other aircraft programs.
Larry Rinek will outline program development, discuss the various technical innovations introduced by the Convair team, show the prototypes, and discuss key production models. He will also display some derivatives with special configurations. Larry will also show at the conclusion dramatic short video clips of the Hustler in action. Sit back and enjoy as we go back to the heart of the cold-war era of the 1950s-1960s. Members will not want to miss the action.
Larry Rinek began his lengthy career in the Southern California aerospace industry, and worked for NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab, Menasco's Burbank aircraft landing gear plant, and the USAF in El Segundo. Later, at SRI International and on behalf of the Stanford Transportation Group consultancy in Northern California, he performed many business and technology studies for aerospace clients over a 25+ year period. Since 1998, Larry has been Frost & Sullivan's Director of Consulting for a variety of industries. He is responsible for consulting project development and oversight, strategic project input, client liaison activities, proposal preparation, and mentoring of the research staff.
Larry has an MBA in Marketing, and a BS degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He is an active member of AIAA, SAE, American Aviation Historical Society (AAHS), Aviation Engine Historical Society (AEHS), and works with the Silicon Valley Engineering Council (SVEC). Mr. Rinek is a well-recognized aviation historian, author, and speaker. He places research emphasis on U.S. technology innovation, particularly in aero-propulsion. He has authored 15 scholarly publications, most concerning the history of American aviation. He presented the AIAA September 2001 Boeing B-47 Stratojet dinner program.
Cocktails at 6:30 pm; buffet dinner at 7:00 pm; program starts at 8:00 pm.
Cost:
| Members and their guests | $20 | |
| Non-Members | $25 | |
| Students | $14 |
This meeting is open to the general public.
For more information about this program, contact:
Prasad Gogineni at:
programs@aiaa-sf.org
Note: The AIAA San Francisco Section is unable to process credit cards. Checks are welcomed.
Wyndham Garden Hotel
1300 Chesapeake Terrace
Sunnyvale, CA 94089
408-747-0999
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