Vulture B.1 ---- (RAF B-58 Hustler), 1/72 **FINISHED PICS PG 14**

[kitnut617]

Not back then but there's the Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine today ---

[NARSES2]

Would it have had a 15" gun turret in that case? 

Well it would fit the build as the turrets and guns were older then the RAF. They came from Courageous and Glorious when they were converted to aircraft carriers 

I've often wondered where the RN kept all the turrets and guns it stored over the years and if as a designer you were jjust allowed to wander around and pick one that looked right for your design 

[zenrat]

This article simply says Vanguard's turrets were kept "in store" before being "shipped to Scotstoun for refurbishment at the former Coventry Ordnance Works , now operated by Harland & Wolff .  They were then shipped in VANGUARD only a few miles down the Clyde in 1944".

[sandiego89]

Top photo Proposed version for Australia with iron bombs, still has the pod for fuel, but shows likely placement for iron bombs.

lower photo, slightly enlarged and "significantly" more powerfull B-58B version for USAF. No pod.  Iron bombs were tested in 1967.   

The pod on the was really needed for any type of respectable range, but perfectly fine to display yours without for a "show" aircraft.



Source, Aerograph 4 Convair B-58, page 89 by Jay Miller -an excellent reference.

[steelpillow]

Depending on whether or not you want to whiff the laws of physics, those four iron bombs under the trailing edge would seriously destabilise the plane. The centre of lift of a supersonic delta is surprisingly far forward at subsonic speeds and moves back to approx. 50% root chord position at high supersonic speeds. Those four at the back would make it tail-heavy and longidtudinally unstable at subsonic speeds.
Might just be able to squeeze one in ahead of the others and offset a fraction outboard. Could also add a pylon between the engines, forward-raked to mount one clear of the inboard exhaust plume. That restores the dozen it was proposed to carry.
But IMHO it would also spoil its magic lines and a follow-up project to whiff the big pod into a spaceplane would be soo much cooler.

[Weaver]

The 'simple' solution would be to turn the pod into the world's biggest cluster bomb, with 250lb Mk.81 'submunitions' 

[AS.12]

How about a few underslung Shrikes and a big tank for a Black Buck mission?

[NARSES2]

Right a couple of basic questions if I may, generated by the Australian proposal photo.

I assume the bombs are 500lb or 1,000lb ? Otherwise it seems like a lot of aeroplane for a small bomb load ?

The other is why are the front two bombs not paired ? Or is it simply that this proposal simply shows one possible option ?

[Old Wombat]

The other is why are the front two bombs not paired ? Or is it simply that this proposal simply shows one possible option ?

I'd confidently hazard that it's because of the ruddy great fuel tank getting in the way.

[sandiego89]

Right a couple of basic questions if I may, generated by the Australian proposal photo.

I assume the bombs are 500lb or 1,000lb ? Otherwise it seems like a lot of aeroplane for a small bomb load ?

The other is why are the front two bombs not paired ? Or is it simply that this proposal simply shows one possible option ?

I assume the single row is to allow them to be dropped without hitting the still attached pod. More room aft for double wide.

[NARSES2]

I forgot about that rather large tank 

[Old Wombat]

After I replied to your question, Chris, I was having a bit of a think about the inefficiency of that set-up & it occurred to me that a conformal belly fuel tank with cut-outs for semi-recessed bombs would be a more efficient means of having the Hustler carrying conventional munitions than that shown.

You could do the same for the fuselage, too, perhaps with removable panels over the cut-outs to preserve the lines of the aircraft when not carrying bombs.

The conformal fuel tank would also make for a great PR or ECM modular pod system, too.

[zenrat]

Passenger pod?

[Weaver]

Passenger pod?

It was seriously(?) proposed:

[TheChronicOne]

Passenger pod?

It was seriously(?) proposed:

That would be one LOUD ride.   

I am currently looking for a B-58 in 1/144 to turn into an airliner, just so happens. . . . . . . .. .