Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. Now this is something you rarely encounter! This is the standard type of open ejection seat that was used on the Convair B-58A Hustler. The seat is in wonderful condition and appears to be complete from its outward appearance. It measures approximately 54"H x 24"W x 30"D.
The ejection seat was completely deactivated and rendered inert from any explosive / propellant content that was present. It is in total compliance with the current BATF standards governing explosives.
Due to the size and nature of this item, it is unfortunately unavailable for export.
There were two emergency systems utilized in the B-58, the standard open ejection seat (like this example) and the Stanley encapsulated ejection seats later fitted to production B-58s (but not to TB-58As, which retained the original seats).
This original SACseat-type open ejection seat was initially installed in the B-58A and later the TB-58A was a ballistic-initiated, rocket-catapult ejection system which operated independently of other aircraft systems. The backrest of the seat provided storage for a backpack type parachute and the bucket portion of the seat provided storage for the survival kit, both of which are no longer present. A gas operated human-seat separation system facilitated separating the crewmember from the seat once clear of the aircraft.
Each seat was mounted on ejection rails which were attached to each aft cabin bulkhead. Slide blocks on the back of each seat engaged the ejection rails and maintained the seat in a position such that its path of travel was parallel to the rails. The seat catapult, mounted on bulkhead attached brackets behind the seat supported a seat adjustment actuator which in turn supported the seat and the canopy actuator. An initiator to blow the hatch was activated by a hand-operated trigger handle in each armrest and a second (delayed) initiator was used to activate the ejection seat rockets in the proper sequence for "safe" ejection. The pilot station had slightly angled rails to guide the seat out of the center of the hatch opening since the pilot seat was offset to the left for visibility around the center windscreen post.
This seat still retains all straps and buckles which appear to be functional. All markings, stenciling and data plates are still visible and states the type as being for a B58 A. Another data plate states that it was manufactured by Airesearch Manufacturing Company and dated 1961.
Definitely a must have item for the avid aviator collector! Comes more than ready for further research and display.
The Convair B-58 Hustler, designed and produced by American aircraft manufacturer Convair, was the first operational bomber capable of Mach 2 flight.
The B-58 was developed during the 1950s for the United States Air Force (USAF) Strategic Air Command (SAC). To achieve the high speeds desired, Convair chose a delta wing design used by contemporary interceptors such as the Convair F-102. The bomber was powered by four General Electric J79 engines in underwing pods. It had no bomb bay: it carried a single nuclear weapon plus fuel in a combination bomb/fuel pod underneath the fuselage. Later, four external hardpoints were added, enabling it to carry up to five weapons.
The B-58 entered service in March 1960, and flew for a decade with two SAC bomb wings: the 43rd Bombardment Wing and the 305th Bombardment Wing. It was considered difficult to fly, imposing a high workload upon its three-man crews. Designed to replace the subsonic Boeing B-47 Stratojet strategic bomber, the B-58 became notorious for its sonic boom heard on the ground by the public as it passed overhead in supersonic flight.
The B-58 was designed to fly at high altitudes and supersonic speeds to avoid Soviet interceptors, but with the Soviet introduction of high-altitude surface-to-air missiles, the B-58 was forced to adopt a low-level-penetration role that severely limited its range and strategic value. It was never used to deliver conventional bombs. The B-58 was substantially more expensive to operate than other bombers, such as the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, and required more frequent aerial refueling. The B-58 also suffered from a high rate of accidental losses. These factors resulted in a relatively brief operational career of ten years. The B-58 was succeeded in its role by the smaller, swing-wing FB-111A.
Curbside truck freight is included with purchase for locations within the US 48 states. NOT available for international shipment due to the nature of the item, which contains deactivated ordnance.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
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