The U.S. Air Force Built 116 B-58 Hustler Supersonic Bombers — 26 Were Lost to Accidents Before the Entire Fleet Was Retired in 10 Years

The U.S. Air Force Built 116 B-58 Hustler Supersonic Bombers — 26 Were Lost to Accidents Before the Entire Fleet Was Retired in 10 Years

The B-58 Hustler was the U.S. Air Force’s first operational supersonic bomber, and made its initial flight on Nov. 11, 1956. It was designed and developed during the Cold War, when the US believed its bombers could outrun Soviet missiles. Convair built 116 B-58s, which were a direct successor to the subsonic B-47: 30 test and pre-production aircraft and 86 for operational service. B-58 Hustlers flew in the Strategic Air Command between 1960 and …