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.

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