B-58 Design Evolution

[Skybolt]

Found in a NACA report a good number of configurations leading to the B-58. Judging from the drawings and model photos published by Jay Miller in his "B-58", the six 3-views I post go from the MX-1626 (number 1) to the definitive proposal. In particular, number 5 seems the configuration mock-upped (twin engine nacelles). Enjoy.. Relevant NACA report is RM SL53K04.

[hesham]

Hi,

By the way,the NACA was studied more about 2000 shapes to creat B-58.

[lark]

Good find !

Second drawing shown no indication of a cockpit.
Maybe flush with the fuselage contours ?

[Skybolt]

Maybe flush with the fuselage contours ?

Probably.

[elmayerle]

Second drawing shown no indication of a cockpit.
Maybe flush with the fuselage contours ?

My guess would be that it was similar to the XF-103's cockpit.

[Orionblamblam]

Good find !

Second drawing shown no indication of a cockpit.
Maybe flush with the fuselage contours ?

More likely just a simplified model.

[lark]

Air Pictorial of April 1953 reports that the Convair XB-58
should have eight J-57 engines , in pairs , mounted in the wings...

Any confirmation of this very early concept ?
According to the magazine , some artist impressions should
have been released.

[Matej]

Hm, wasnt XB-58 just too small for eight engines?

[elmayerle]

Air Pictorial of April 1953 reports that the Convair XB-58
should have eight J-57 engines , in pairs , mounted in the wings...

Any confirmation of this very early concept ?
According to the magazine , some artist impressions should
have been released.

Eight J57s is the engine fit of an early B-52, at least without afterburners.  That seems rather a bit of overkill for the XB-58 with or without afterburners.  I could see four afterburning J57s, at least until the J79 presented a smaller and lighter alternative with the same power.

[Skybolt]

Just disinformation? Cold War was rampant... 

[lark]

In those days , designers needed a lot of engines to push their
designs high and fast.
For exemple , the initial desing for the McDonnell FH-1 Phantom used six (6)
Westinhouse engines in the wings.

source : Rene J.Francillon in 'Mc Donnell-Douglas Aircraft since 1920' - Putnam-London
 illustraton in Flight : April 10th 1947 , page 315

[hesham]

Hi,

I know we speak about B-58 design evolution,but we can
also speak about its variants and projects;
the B-58B had range-extension and it had nose mounted
canards and more powerful J79-GE-19 engines,the B-58C
was stretched version and one variant of it had only twin
engined,the B-58D was interceptor and the B-58E multi-
mission bomber projects.
the must interesting the project of the 1955 whih had
folding wing tips and supersonic wing camber.

[hesham]

Hi,

In 1956 the Convair prepared the B-58 as a project used as nuclear
propulsion system testbed with General Electric engines.

[hesham]

Hi,

In 1958 Convair and Lockheed proposed to the AF a joint venture
project calling for development of a special air-launch ballistic
missile (ALBM),Lockheed project 199C.

[hesham]

In those days , designers needed a lot of engines to push their
designs high and fast.
For exemple , the initial desing for the McDonnell FH-1 Phantom used six (6)
Westinhouse engines in the wings.

source : Rene J.Francillon in 'Mc Donnell-Douglas Aircraft since 1920' - Putnam-London
 illustraton in Flight : April 10th 1947 , page 315

The more stranger my dear lark,

thay want to use six 300 1b thrust turbojets,subsequently increased Eight,to Ten
and then changed to two 1165 1b Westinghouse turbojets.