Semi-mystery, Absolutely Pathetic Looking Airplane!

[THE PILGRIM]

Here's one that's parked out there, in the desert.
It probably should be chopped.
But some, maybe a lot of it's parts have been taken for other planes.

 

[Bugkiller99]

"Tower, permission to take off"

"I'm not a miracle worker!" Denied!

 

[vt_shooter]

Anybody know what it is?

 

[jeffsmith]

Looks like a Mirage in the Desert

It's a B-58 Hustler abandoned at Edwards AFB

 

[Old_Cop]

B-58 Hustler I think.

 

[M29since14]

B-58 Hustler I think.

Me too! The exaggerated wide-angle perspective of the photo makes it hard to recognize.

 

[dockmurgw]

I keep staring at the photo, and cant decide what that nose resembles more...a HP spitzer bullet or Madonna.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Flashback!

Before dad retired from the Air Force, I told him I wanted to try my hand at building model planes. This is what he brought me:

You always remember your first.

 

[muddocktor]

That particular aircraft is a photo target at Edwards Air Force Base and it's nickname is "Snoopy". It was used to test the radar that was used in the YF-12 program and had the nose extended to contain that radar. It's too bad they don't let someone take it out of the desert and restore it so that it could be a part of some aircraft collection.

 

[SC_Mike]

Interesting how much the fuselage looks like the B1. I guess a great design just keeps working.

 

[OLDSTER]

North Koreas latest stealth fighter.

 

[Rustyt1953]

 

[shouldazagged]

I hate to see any aircraft left to crumble like that, especially a military type. It's painful.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I hate to see any aircraft left to crumble like that, specially a military type. It's painful.

That's what a lot of folks in the B-58 Community say.
Most of the actual operational B-58s were destroyed.
This one is a pre- production Model, it never an operational plane, it belonged to the Edwards R&D Folks for many years now.
So it's been going downhill, parts have been removed, and it's been ignored for years.

 

[LVSteve]

In the UK they took all but one of the TSR.2 pre-production aircraft to the artillery range at Shoeburyness. Hilarity with high speed HE followed. Sad end to the most advanced aircraft of the day in the most mismanaged project of military history.

 

[shouldazagged]

In the UK they took all but one of the TSR.2 pre-production aircraft to the artillery range at Shoeburyness. Hilarity with high speed HE followed. Sad end to the most advanced aircraft of the day in the most mismanaged project of military history.

You're right, that is very sad.

I'll need to Google the TSR.2.

I just did, and what happened to the project is a damned shame.

It was an impressive-looking aircraft--looked built for business.

 

[Hobie 11]

The fuselages have that "waist" to help manage transition through mach. Here's more than you'll ever want to know: Area rule - Wikipedia The B-58 looked fast just standing still! It is a shame to see that.

 

[rwsmith]

That is the........

That is the economical alternative to the F-35.

 

[gman51]

Nothing a little TLC couldn't fix and be ready to fly.
I watched a 60 minute show on airplanes in boneyards. Every part stripped and sold is put into record. The show also said you can't just go buy an airplane from an airplane dealer or individual. I believe it said all airplane sales go through one central records base so that all airplanes are accounted for.
I watched a Pawn shop show that a guy wanted to sell a jet to the pawn shop. The pawn shop had a fighter jet pilot test fly the plane. He said the plane was good to go. The pilot told the pawn shop that the plane was worth around $150,000 but it also would cost about $5000 a month for storage, maintenance and mandatory flying time. The pawn shop passed on it.

 

[pharmer]

Taxpayers forked over a few $million each 60 years ago. Who cares, it's other people's money. Joe