Warplanes of the USA: Texas, San Antonio, Kelly Field Heritage Museum, Kelly AFB
San Antonio, Kelly Field Heritage Museum, Kelly AFB, 149 TFG/CC, 78241-5000.
(USAF Photo)
The U.S. Air Force's first operational supersonic bomber, the B-58 Hustler, made its initial flight on November 11, 1956. The aircraft featured a distinctive delta wing shape and a sophisticated inertial guidance navigation and bombing system. Its design included a slender "wasp-waist" fuselage and extensive use of heat-resistant honeycomb sandwich skin panels in the wings and fuselage. Due to the thin fuselage, bombs could not be carried internally. Instead, a droppable two-component pod beneath the fuselage housed a nuclear weapon, along with extra fuel, reconnaissance equipment, or other specialized gear. The B-58's crew comprised a pilot, a navigator/bombardier, and a defense systems operator.
(Author Photos)
Convair B-58A Hustler (Serial No. 59-2437), C/N 40 "Firefly II".
(Author Photos)
Convair F-106B Delta Dart (Serial No. 57-2533), C/N 8-27-27, mounted on a pylon.
(Author Photos)
General Dynamics FB-111A Aardvark (Serial No. 68-0275), C/N B1-47, mounted on a pylon at the main entrance to the base.
(Author Photos)
McDonnell Douglas F-15A Eagle (Serial No. 63-7431).
The following aircraft were located at Kelly Airfield until the base closed. Many may have been moved to Lackland AFB, the location of the remaining aircraft is unconfirmed.
Convair F-102A Delta Dagger (Serial No. 56-1268).
Boeing B-29A Superfortress (Serial No. 44-62220).
Boeing B-52D Stratofortress (Serial No. 56-0692).
Cessna O-2A Skymaster (Serial No. 68-6865), 87602, C/N 337M-0154.
Cessna A-37B Dragonfly (Serial No. 67-14790).
Cessna T-37B Tweet (Serial No. 56-3555).
Convair TF-102A Delta Dagger (Serial No. 56-2352).
Convair C-131B Samaritan (Serial No. 53-7811).
Douglas C-47D Skytrain (Serial No. 43-48415), C/N 1423/25676.
Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star (Serial No. 57-760).
McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom II (Serial No. 63-7431).
Noordyn C-74 Norseman (Serial No. 42-65406).
North American F-100D Super Sabre (Serial No. 56-3000).
North American CT-39A Sabreliner (Serial No. 62-4482).
Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter (Serial No. 73-1640).
Northrop T-38A Talon (Serial No. 59-1595), C/N N5108, 12th FTW.