Greased Lightning

October 16th,1963; A Convair B-58 Hustler nicknamed "Greased Lightning" took to the skies from Tokyo with one mission in mind.  To smash the world record for the longest supersonic flight in history.  Tokyo to London (via Alaska), a distance of 8,028 miles in an astounding 8 hours, 35 minutes, 20.4 seconds, averaging 938 miles per hour. A record that as of 2016, still stands.

The B-58, designed by Convair was the world's first operational Mach 2 Bomber that was built for use in the USAF and Strategic Air Command.  The B-58 Hustler utilized 4 engines in underwing pods each capable of 15,600 pounds of thrust with afterburners, and carried up to five nuclear weapons; four on pylons under the wings, and one nuclear weapon and fuel in a combination bomb/fuel pod under the fuselage.  

Due to the introduction of Soviet Surface To Air Missiles, the B-58's operational role became one of low-level supersonic penetration. One performance specification the Hustler could always deliver is that she was built for speed. The specific B-58 aircraft used for the record-breaking attempt was not modified in any way other than being washed and waxed before the flight.  

The supersonic speed of the record-setting flight was limited only by the speed at which they believed the honeycomb aircraft panels would begin to delaminate, although one of the afterburners malfunctioned en route, and the last hour of the flight was continued at subsonic speed. This reduced the average speed to roughly Mach 1.5, despite most of the flight being at Mach 2.

The other limiting factor was the high fuel burn rate required for the long-distance supersonic speeds, "Greased Lighting" was forced to refuel in air 5 times while en route. Each time required the aircraft to slow down to rendezvous with the slower re-fueling aircraft.  

January 12, 1961, A B-58 Hustler #59-0442, under command of Pilot, Major Henry J. Deutschendorf, Sr.;DSO Captain Raymond R. Wagener; and Navigator, Captain William L. Polhemus, flew two laps around a closed circuit 1000 km course an average of 1,061.81 miles per hour between Yuma Az, and Edwards AFB, CA.

The B-58 set 19 world speed records during her service, including coast-to-coast records, and the longest supersonic flight in history. In 1963, "Greased Lightning" flew from Tokyo to London (via Alaska), a distance of 8,028 miles, with 5 aerial refuelings in 8 hours, 35 minutes, 20.4 seconds, averaging 938 miles per hour. To this date, the record still stands.

Other than being washed, and waxed, the Hustler had not been modified in any way for the record setting flights.

During her service, the Hustler managed to also grab the Bleriot trophy, the Thompson trophy, the Mackay trophy, the Bendix trophy and the Harmon trophy. As a matter of fact, The B-58 holds more records than any other fighter/bomber. Which is in itself...a record.

Pictured: Lieutenant Colonel Henry J. Deutschendorf, Sr., USAF wife and son, Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. also known as famed singer John Denver...

Since Hustler pilots were the only USAF pilots experienced in long-duration supersonic flight. After the Huster was retired from service, several former crews were selected for the SR-71 Blackbird as their next assignment.  

Another interesting note regarding the Delta Queen...Pilots consider the Hustler to be one of the sexiest aircraft to have ever graced the skies but most do not know that the B-58 Hustler was equipped with the newly developed Nortronics Division automated cockpit voice warnings featuring the voice of actress and singer Joan Elms. To the crews flying the B-58 Hustler, the sultry voice was known as "Sexy Sally."