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google spotting- B-58 pod at Castle?

Thu Mar 12, 2015 6:19 pm

Spotted this on google maps, adjacent to the display area at the Castle AFB museum. Just over the fence line in perhaps the museum storage area. Perhaps a B-58 weapons pod? Shape looks about right, fins too small for a V-2 or similar....

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Merce ... 8218?hl=en

Re: google spotting- B-58 pod at Castle?

Thu Mar 12, 2015 6:57 pm

Looks like there could be a second one over by the right hand fence, without the fins. Similar?

Bazza

Re: google spotting- B-58 pod at Castle?

Thu Mar 12, 2015 7:40 pm

Does not look like the ones that came with the Monogram model.

Kenn

Re: google spotting- B-58 pod at Castle?

Thu Mar 12, 2015 9:20 pm

http://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fil ... castle.jpg

Re: google spotting- B-58 pod at Castle?

Fri Mar 13, 2015 8:17 am

Mike wrote:http://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:B-58_weapons_pod_castle.jpg


That sure looks like it, thank you Mike.

Re: google spotting- B-58 pod at Castle?

Fri Mar 13, 2015 8:01 pm

If you go the street view you can "drive" in that lot that looks like a RV parking area. Using that the object by the fence looks like a rocket.

Re: google spotting- B-58 pod at Castle?

Sat Mar 14, 2015 1:35 pm

Hi everyone! Yes, that is indeed a Hustler pod in our boneyard. Now just need a Hustler to go with it. :)

Re: google spotting- B-58 pod at Castle?

Sat Mar 14, 2015 6:14 pm

Spectre_I wrote:Hi everyone! Yes, that is indeed a Hustler pod in our boneyard. Now just need a Hustler to go with it. :)


Why yes you do! Thanks spectre. I think a Hustler would be great there and would be in a better climate than some others, too bad so few survived.

Re: google spotting- B-58 pod at Castle?

Sat Mar 14, 2015 6:31 pm

We'd love a Hustler. We've got dang near every other U.S. bomber; it would round out the collection nicely. Unfortunately there just aren't any left. If I am not mistaken, there are 8 total. 7 are in museums or gate guards. The only unclaimed one is out at Edwards and is a photo target. It's a hulk and beyond restoration.

Re: google spotting- B-58 pod at Castle?

Sat Mar 14, 2015 6:38 pm

seagull61785 wrote:Looks like there could be a second one over by the right hand fence, without the fins. Similar?

Bazza

Nope. We just have the one.

That overhead is about a year old. We've put an RA-5 an F-101 and a VC-9 out since. :)

Re: google spotting- B-58 pod at Castle?

Sun Mar 15, 2015 12:15 am

The B-58 out on the Edwards range is not beyond restoration. It just needs EXTRA work. I recently visited the plane, with permission of course.
It needs to be saved. They also have a B-47 out on the range too.
http://pacaeropress.websitetoolbox.com/post/derelict-b47-out-on-the-edwards-afb-range-7256058?pid=1285901540#post1285901540

Re: google spotting- B-58 pod at Castle?

Sun Mar 15, 2015 1:04 am

Pictures of B-58A Hustler #53-0665 Snoopy 1 At Edwards at this link
http://joeidoni.smugmug.com/Aircraft-Crash-Sites/Ed/28972348_wJC8ZK#!p=2&n=10

http://joeidoni.smugmug.com/Aircraft-Cr ... #!p=2&n=10

Re: google spotting- B-58 pod at Castle?

Sun Mar 15, 2015 4:18 am

Spectre_I wrote: It's a hulk and beyond restoration.

While I agree with you that there are many parts missing that would be near impossible to find, why not try to save the nose/cockpit section? That way a piece of it can be preserved, you have a (partial) Hustler for the museum, and a restoration of that part seems perfectly feasible. Better that no Hustler in the museum and the last available survivor to become beercans!

Re: google spotting- B-58 pod at Castle?

Sun Mar 15, 2015 8:59 am

Spectre_I wrote:
seagull61785 wrote:Looks like there could be a second one over by the right hand fence, without the fins. Similar?


.We've put an RA-5 an F-101 and a VC-9 out since. :)


Nice, do you know if the RA-5C Vigilante came from China Lake? I note several in the ballistics lab bone yard. (yes I spend too much time on google maps)

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.7312292 ... !1e3?hl=en

Re: google spotting- B-58 pod at Castle?

Sun Mar 15, 2015 1:04 pm

sandiego89 wrote:
Spectre_I wrote:
seagull61785 wrote:Looks like there could be a second one over by the right hand fence, without the fins. Similar?


.We've put an RA-5 an F-101 and a VC-9 out since. :)


Nice, do you know if the RA-5C Vigilante came from China Lake? I note several in the ballistics lab bone yard. (yes I spend too much time on google maps)

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.7312292 ... !1e3?hl=en

Yes it did.
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