Gen Stewart flew a TB-58. I was there. My plane ,59-2450 ,was parked next to his ,and the movie people had us shut down all power units so they could film. Yes some of it is staged for the movie, but he did it . Took the 58 so fast it blistered the nose radome paint. Wife got made at me cause I didn';t go ask for his autograph. Spent five years as a groung crew member on them. Yes it was pain to work on and most crashes were pilot error, but nothing and I mean nothing could catch it or hit it.
the B-58, the F-106 Dart, the F-104 StarFighter and the lovely P-38 Lightning are the finest, sexiest aircraft (AND most lethal) Man has ever sent aloft..........
I knew one of the crewmembers of the first trophy winner. The Thompson Trophy. Maj. Howard Bialas was the Defense System Operator of the B-58 called "Roadrunner".
@wlpowell63 Hey I knew him also . Ran into him once when I was a KC-135 crew chief. I remember he told my crew chief once "chief , if you say yea to me one more time I'm gonna feather your props!" It was hilarious! 59-2450
The Hustler was basically a short term solution to the deep penetration problem. Ground based radars couldn't see fast targets flying on the deck. Terrain following radars were employed on B-52s and B-58 aircraft to allow plane to fly napp of the earth.
Another solution was tried which was increasing the speed at extremely high altitude, but MIG-25 aircraft put the B-70 out of business before it deployed.
I was always fascinated by the looks of the "Hustler" and why I had not heard more about it in military history, it looked so mean! I just saw on the Military Channel an episode of Great Planes and they talked about this plane, and it looks like they used footage from this film extensively for it! Found out about this film from wiki, and thanks to you fgdavison I'm watching it now. I appreciate it! I recommend that Great Planes episode it's pretty cool to learn more.
I think there could be other Jimmy's in Hollywood if our country would allow it (Pat Tlllman comes to mind). Trouble is, the country has changed or at least the media that trumps up who our hero's should be has changed. Jimmy kept his military service pretty low key as well later on, I had no idea his service extended as long and as high as it did until lately thanks to the internet. I think it was partly his modesty and partly the changing country from the late 1960's on.
General Stewart did fly the Hustler. He was allowed to fly it one time. That is why he was in the pilot's seat. No co-pilot in the B-58. He was a reserve officer who also flew B-52 missions over N. Vietnam. Jimmy was all man.
Thats what the Wiki page on the B58 says but there he is in the pilot's seat and he's a Brig General (and Jimmy Stewart, Mr Honesty!) so I'll take Jimmy's word for it over some Wiki post! If he says he flew it, thats good enough for me!
The B-58 was so cool, thanx for the video!
jcostello117 9 months ago
I think he was a reserve bomber pilot in the 50's at old Carswell AFB now NAS JRB Fort Worth Tx. Flew B-36, B-47, B-58 and maybe B-52.
brown9708 10 months ago
Gen Stewart flew a TB-58. I was there. My plane ,59-2450 ,was parked next to his ,and the movie people had us shut down all power units so they could film. Yes some of it is staged for the movie, but he did it . Took the 58 so fast it blistered the nose radome paint. Wife got made at me cause I didn';t go ask for his autograph. Spent five years as a groung crew member on them. Yes it was pain to work on and most crashes were pilot error, but nothing and I mean nothing could catch it or hit it.
starfrog141 1 year ago
Just a brilliant design and - by its technology - way ahead in its time. Too sad that they are all gone but a few on display.
worldbestpilot 1 year ago
the B-58, the F-106 Dart, the F-104 StarFighter and the lovely P-38 Lightning are the finest, sexiest aircraft (AND most lethal) Man has ever sent aloft..........
I was just born too damn late!!
rattinox 1 year ago
Sexiest bomber ever designed, no doubt of that!
rattinox 1 year ago
@rattinox sure is, after the Blackbird....
CAPTJACKAUBREY69 1 year ago
I knew one of the crewmembers of the first trophy winner. The Thompson Trophy. Maj. Howard Bialas was the Defense System Operator of the B-58 called "Roadrunner".
wlpowell63 2 years ago
@wlpowell63 Hey I knew him also . Ran into him once when I was a KC-135 crew chief. I remember he told my crew chief once "chief , if you say yea to me one more time I'm gonna feather your props!" It was hilarious! 59-2450
starfrog141 1 year ago
The Hustler was basically a short term solution to the deep penetration problem. Ground based radars couldn't see fast targets flying on the deck. Terrain following radars were employed on B-52s and B-58 aircraft to allow plane to fly napp of the earth.
Another solution was tried which was increasing the speed at extremely high altitude, but MIG-25 aircraft put the B-70 out of business before it deployed.
HJMC3345 2 years ago
Major Henry J. Deutschendorf was the singer John Denver's dad.
Mainsail76 2 years ago 2
I was always fascinated by the looks of the "Hustler" and why I had not heard more about it in military history, it looked so mean! I just saw on the Military Channel an episode of Great Planes and they talked about this plane, and it looks like they used footage from this film extensively for it! Found out about this film from wiki, and thanks to you fgdavison I'm watching it now. I appreciate it! I recommend that Great Planes episode it's pretty cool to learn more.
verbusen 2 years ago
still a remarkable plane. Heard the one about using a baby bear to test the ejection seats?
biukucanoe 2 years ago
Jimmy was a GREAT American. Very different breed of man than today's "Hollywood" types. Sorely missed.
RandallParr 2 years ago 6
I think there could be other Jimmy's in Hollywood if our country would allow it (Pat Tlllman comes to mind). Trouble is, the country has changed or at least the media that trumps up who our hero's should be has changed. Jimmy kept his military service pretty low key as well later on, I had no idea his service extended as long and as high as it did until lately thanks to the internet. I think it was partly his modesty and partly the changing country from the late 1960's on.
verbusen 2 years ago
General Stewart did fly the Hustler. He was allowed to fly it one time. That is why he was in the pilot's seat. No co-pilot in the B-58. He was a reserve officer who also flew B-52 missions over N. Vietnam. Jimmy was all man.
angmhalp 2 years ago
jimmy stewart flew this plane
spacepatrolman 3 years ago
Not quite correct. Stewart flew missions in the B-24 and years, years later, was offered a backseat *ride* in the B-58 - one time thing.
Jazzstanton 2 years ago
Thats what the Wiki page on the B58 says but there he is in the pilot's seat and he's a Brig General (and Jimmy Stewart, Mr Honesty!) so I'll take Jimmy's word for it over some Wiki post! If he says he flew it, thats good enough for me!
verbusen 2 years ago
There is also an actual published work, written by one of Jimmy former staffers based on an interview. But verb, you've said it best for all of us.
Jazzstanton 2 years ago
Rare, historical video, thanks for posting!!!
filo6777 3 years ago 6