1/144 Hobbycraft B 58 Project

[Sauragnmon]

Brian, you sneaky devil - gunship gray on the inside - and I was thinking it was the use of a transparent paint like I'll use on the Japagripen and the F-3.

[Supertom]

Spats?

[Brian da Basher]

In 1960, attempting to milk their military B 58 design for all it was worth, Convair began work on a high-speed, executive transport version called the 999. Deciding the original engines were too thirsty to be profitable and that airlines had no need for a plane capable of Mach 2, the 999 was powered by two Pratt & Whitney TF30 engines which gave it a respectable top speed of Mach 1.2 with afterburners. The TF 30s also gave the new 999 a range of 1000 miles.

It may come as no surprise that the only customer for the delta-winged Convair 999 was Delta Airlines whose Comptroller, Edward "Fast Eddie" Money and his secretary, Rita D'Orito needed the ultimate in high-speed executive aircraft to fly between far-flung Delta offices to "go over the books".

Delta Airlines eventually bought the entire 999 production run of 9 aircraft, which were known by their crews as the Rustler, a nod to its more famous Air Force brother. Delta Airlines 999 Rustlers were in service from 1963 until 1975 and were made famous by flying Ricky Riccardo and his salsa band from New York to Tortilla, Mexico for a command performance before the Organization of America States at Nacho's Night Club in 1964.

While never operated in great numbers, Delta Airlines Convair Rustlers introduced many VIPs to supersonic travel who will never forget the experience of flying at Mach speed.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

I finally was able to get this model completed after doing a little work on the seams and some touch up painting. The Delta Airlines livery from Flightpath is actually for a 1/200 DC-9 and seemed a good fit for the B 58. I added some passenger windows left over from a DC-3. The entire project took me four days from start to finish and was a nice break.

Brian da Basher

[Daryl J.]

Ahhhh......the ever fertile mind of BdB!   




Daryl J.

[Sisko]

Great build BDB! That looks like a fun weekend project!

It's nice to know that execs will be able to fly to places faster to make people rundant. Or beg for money from the gov

[Ed S]

Brilliant as always BdB.  The Hustler looks good in Delta livery.   

Ed

[sideshowbob9]

Great concept & model! Love the TF-30s!

The Hustler looks good in Delta livery

That she does! 

[thedarkmaster]

 

Well it fooled me ( not hard I know ) into the military stereotype but this is top class....outstanding build   

[nev]

Very, very cool

[sequoiaranger]

Hooray for you. This project is fabulous. Though not into airliners myself, I like the concept of "executive transports" made from military aircraft (and had some projects like that in my stash that was sold off last year). This one is an aesthetic beauty. "Delta" air lines--how appropriate. Next time I fly Delta I will request the "999 Rustler" and see what they say!

BTW, I appreciate that you shied away from making a "Hustler" into Larry Flint's personal aircraft! I shudder to think how it might be decorated!

[tigercat2]

Great concept and extremely well done!!  Convair also proposed a number of other B-58 derivatives; some with non-afterburning J-58s!! 


Wes W.