Question about Lindberg's 1/64 scale B-58 Hustler kit.

I recently purchased this lindberg remote control B-58 as I have never seen this model and looked interesting. I've been building since dad got me interetsed in 1958. However the kit didn't have an instruction sheet. I'd be grateful if you could photo copy the instruction sheet. Whaver costs let me know. David Garrett.

Mr Fabricator, I recently found this unusal Lindberg remote B 52 and had to have it. However it didn't have any instructions. I was woindering if I could pay you for a copy of the remote B52 instructions. And when you part( and I understand will be painful) think of letting me know, Thanks for considering. David Garrett

Mathmatical Note:

1/32: 1" = 2'8"

1/48: 1" = 4'

1/60: 1" = 5'

1/64: 1" = 5' 4"

1/72: 1" = 6'

1/128: 1" = 10' 8"

1/144: 1" = 12' 

There were 3 kits in the Lindberg 'Remote' aircraft line.  They were: 1/64 B-58 Hustler, 1/96 Vulcan, and 1/96 Victor.  I currently own both the B-58 and Victor remote kits.  They worked via a pylon control stick that connected, via 2 metal rods, into the body of the aircraft.  The rods connected to plastic bellcranks that connected to the flying surfaces. When you moved the control stick, the control surfaces moved and the aircraft rotated, appropriately, on its display stand.  I have not built my 2 kits, but have them as part of my extensive classic model kit collection.  They are really unique among all of the classic 'working parts' kits of the late 1950s and 1960s era.  I value all of my classics, from that era, since I starting building plastic models in the mid 1950s.  I am planning on selling most of my collection (over 1000 kits), so that others can have a chance to own and enjoy these special examples of a great hobby era.

I don't think you'll have much trouble building an accurate B-58 from the 1/48 Monogram kit. The last time I looked at one, it seemed to be spot on, but others may know more. There are some aftermarket parts that add details, but the basic kit is pretty sound, I think.

I think have found one of the reasons for discrepancies in some of the B-58 models produced over the years. Convair released two sets of model drawings, one in 1/60 scale and the other 1/120 scale. Now you would think that to get the 1/120 scale drawing they would just reduce the 1/60 drawing by 50%. But no! They did two completely different drawings, and they do not agree with each other in many respects!

BraniffBuff wrote:

The officially specified overall length of the B-58 is 96 feet 9 inches from forward tip of radome (NOT the pitot boom) to upper aft tip of the vertical fin, measured parallel to static ground line. The vertical fin is swept 52° at the leading edge. Overall height is 29 feet 11 inches, measured from upper after tip of the vertical fin perpendicular to static ground line. These measurements come from official Convair documents which I have in front of me as I write this. The length of Lindberg's 1/64 B-58 fuselage should be 18.14 inches, measured as above. Wingspan should be 10.66 inches tip-to-tip. It's a good model. I haven't seen one in years, but built plenty of them (and its smaller brother) as a kid. At one point it was released with movable controls connected by wires to a remote control stick. It was to be mounted on a stand so it could be "flown" (early "fly-by-wire" technology!). For those interested, I'm in the process of creating new scale drawings of the B-58, based on the Convair documents, but it's gonna take a while. Oh, and if you are interested in the 1/72 Italeri B-58 kit, it's too short, because the kit designers took the overall length to include the nose pitot boom, so it needs to be stretched by about 8%. However, the discrepancy is not just in the fuselage, but distributed throughout the entire length of the model, so all the wing and tail sweep angles are wrong as well.

Michael,

I would be most interested in your scale drawings when completed.  At some point down th e line, I have the big 1:48 Mono kit, and they would be of immense help,  I plan to use the Engines 'n' Things cockpit set and do some scratch building also.  As for the Italeri kit, it even looks wrong to me, now I know why! 

Brian 

The officially specified overall length of the B-58 is 96 feet 9 inches from forward tip of radome (NOT the pitot boom) to upper aft tip of the vertical fin, measured parallel to static ground line. The vertical fin is swept 52° at the leading edge. Overall height is 29 feet 11 inches, measured from upper after tip of the vertical fin perpendicular to static ground line. These measurements come from official Convair documents which I have in front of me as I write this.

The length of Lindberg's 1/64 B-58 fuselage should be 18.14 inches, measured as above. Wingspan should be 10.66 inches tip-to-tip.

It's a good model. I haven't seen one in years, but built plenty of them (and its smaller brother) as a kid. At one point it was released with movable controls connected by wires to a remote control stick. It was to be mounted on a stand so it could be "flown" (early "fly-by-wire" technology!).

For those interested, I'm in the process of creating new scale drawings of the B-58, based on the Convair documents, but it's gonna take a while.

Oh, and if you are interested in the 1/72 Italeri B-58 kit, it's too short, because the kit designers took the overall length to include the nose pitot boom, so it needs to be stretched by about 8%. However, the discrepancy is not just in the fuselage, but distributed throughout the entire length of the model, so all the wing and tail sweep angles are wrong as well.

So Lindberg made the B-58 in 1/128 and 1/64 scale. I think somewhere I read that they aslo ahd it in 1/96ish scale is that true? Also is that 9.5 inches for the 1/128 one with or without the probe?

I am currently building that very kit, and enjoying it immensel!  It's about 17" long and is a fairly accurate representation.  It has a rudimentary interior (more than the 1:48 Momogram kit) and several "working" features, like retracting l.g and opening hatches.  I decided to do mine as a "what if" and painted it SEA camo, in homage to the "lost B-58" that may or may not have existed.  Here are a couple of progress pics for you:

 

Hope this is of some help!

Brian 

 

I happen to be building the 1/128 scale right now for the IMS2 group build.  Mine is 9.5 inches long, so yours would be twice that.  I'm pretty sure the 1/64 is almost the same kit, as far as design goes.

EDIT (9-22-2008): build completed
/forums/1006672/ShowPost.aspx#1006672

 

My kit has raised panel lines, ugly seams, and incorrect profile in many places. 
All of a modeller's favorites can be found in this kit. 

Check out this profile shot for an example of how far off the kit is on the tail:

I've been rebuilding the tail, then I vacuformed a new canopy.  Next I'm gonna have to rebuild major parts of all four engines.

 

If I could do it again, I think would toss it and get the 1/144 Academy model.  A good alternate for the 1/64 lindberg would be Revell-Monogram's excellent 1/48 kit.  Another thing to consider is that there seem to be no B-58 decals available for these odd-ball scales, so you may end up making your own (probably what I will have to do).

But... this one has taught me a LOT of new skills.  So that's something...  Hopefully it comes out OK in the end.

 

Good Luck

The good news is yeah, I built 4 or 5 of them.  I ate a lot of cereal and sent of 25 or 50 cents and the coupon to get them.  The bad news is it was 50 years ago and all I remember is it was fun!!