What was the mechanism and method of retraction, as it seems (from the perspective of the camera), the Pod actually intruded into the space directly below the NLG bay
KC135TopBoom From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 11714 posts, RR: 52 Reply 1, posted (3 years 9 months 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 4449 times:
The clearance between the nose gear and the weapons/fuel pod depended on which pod was carried. IIRC, there were actually three differently configuered weapons/fuel pods. I believe the minimum clearance was about 18" (.45m)
The nose landing gear had a complicated retraction and extension cycle. But basicly the top of the gear moved aft, while the wheels moved up, and were stowed in the foreward section of the nose gear bay. The pivoting axil of the nose gear (about 75% of the way up the gear sturt from the wheels to the top) was mounted on two slides, one on each side, and would move aft as the gear retracted until the entire nose gear was horizontal within the gear bay. Then the very long nose gear follow up doors would close. Extension was the reverse.
Both the B-58A and the TB-58A worked the same way.
Moose135 From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 2009 posts, RR: 12 Reply 2, posted (3 years 9 months 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 4441 times:
It was a rather complex mechanism, from what I remember, the strut had a joint in the middle - it would pivot forward, then the lower part would swing up and aft, clearing the pod, then the whole thing would pivot back into the gear bay.
Not sure if this gives you a better look at the gear, I may have a better view on the drive at home.
BOACVC10 From United States of America, joined Jul 2006, 516 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (3 years 9 months 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 4434 times:
Quoting KC135TopBoom (Reply 1): The nose landing gear had a complicated retraction and extension cycle. But basicly the top of the gear moved aft, while the wheels moved up, and were stowed in the foreward section of the nose gear bay.
Thanks, that is about what I was wondering when I looked at that picture from a distance perspective, but thought it interesting enough to ask. For some reason, the picture of this very "sleek" and pointed airframe, wing, missiles, jet pods looks like a candidate for a 1950s sci-fi space plane subject... I wonder if it was the result of the designer being influence by any other aircraft, or did it influence later aircraft with its edges/positioning of the pods and engines (I"m talking design paradigm here).
Broke From United States of America, joined Apr 2002, 1322 posts, RR: 4 Reply 4, posted (3 years 9 months 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 4400 times:
The National Museum of the USAF had a working model of the B-58A nose landing gear showing how the gear retracted. The model was on the desk at the entry into the Kettering/Cold war Gallery where the museum's B-58A is on display.
It wasn't there earlier this month and hopefully it is now.
F4wso From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 974 posts, RR: 13 Reply 5, posted (3 years 9 months 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 4284 times:
I remember that working model from when I used to be a docent at the museum. It really helped explain the operation of the nose gear retraction to visitors.
Gary
Cottage Grove, MN
Seeking an honest week's pay for an honest day's work
Fridgmus From United States of America, joined Oct 2006, 1383 posts, RR: 11 Reply 6, posted (3 years 9 months 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 4242 times:
Does anybody know of any good websites profiling the B-58 Hustler? What a beautiful aircraft!
I'd also like to see some cockpit views.
Thanks,
F
The Lockheed Super Constellation, the REAL Queen of the Skies!
KC135TopBoom From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 11714 posts, RR: 52 Reply 7, posted (3 years 9 months 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 4185 times:
Quoting Fridgmus (Reply 6): Does anybody know of any good websites profiling the B-58 Hustler? What a beautiful aircraft!
I'd also like to see some cockpit views.
Try this site, there are many others, too. Just type "B-58" into Google. This is the B-58 Association.
Fridgmus From United States of America, joined Oct 2006, 1383 posts, RR: 11 Reply 8, posted (3 years 9 months 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 4062 times:
KC135TopBoom From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 11714 posts, RR: 52 Reply 9, posted (3 years 9 months 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 4000 times:
Quoting Fridgmus (Reply 8): Our internet out here leaves a lot to be desired and the less searching I have to do on it, the better!
I didn't know that. I think many of us here on a.net can help provide links for you guys out there on the big beach.
GDB From United Kingdom, joined May 2001, 12715 posts, RR: 80 Reply 10, posted (3 years 9 months 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 3961 times:
There is some stuff on You-Tube as well, I saw an entire documentary about the B-58 some time ago, might still be there if it has not bust some copyright.
Fridgmus From United States of America, joined Oct 2006, 1383 posts, RR: 11 Reply 12, posted (3 years 9 months 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 3810 times:
Quoting KC135TopBoom (Reply 9): I didn't know that. I think many of us here on a.net can help provide links for you guys out there on the big beach.
Many thanks TopBoom!
Our bandwidth is very small with no improvements in sight. Not to mention everything shuts down when we get one of our world famous dust storms! Sometimes our download speeds have averaged in single digit kilobytes! And a few times in bytes!
What I wouldn't give to have my old cable internet I had back in PA!
F
The Lockheed Super Constellation, the REAL Queen of the Skies!
KC135TopBoom From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 11714 posts, RR: 52 Reply 15, posted (3 years 8 months 4 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 3484 times:
The picture of the alert force brings back memerories. But, with the B-58 on alert, the crewchief would have to remove that big crew entry stand by himself.
When I pulled alert, we always parked the alert truck (a '59 Ford station wagon in the case of this B-58 crew) at the wing tips, so it did not have to be moved before we could taxi. So, this is a staged picture.
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