Scale 1/72
Manufacturer Caracal Models
Decal Sheet ID CD72024
Decal Sheet Title B-58 Hustler
Types Featured B-58

Caracal Models have come up with a fantastic sheet - CD72024 provides markings for no less than 19 different B-58s and TB-58s. The airframes featured are:-

  • B-58A 61-2068 from the 305th BW based at Bunker Hill (later Grissom) AFB. Overall natural metal with SAC flash and emblem on nose. "DEPUTY DAWG" on both sides of the nose in black;
  • B-58A 60-1119 from the 305th BW based at Bunker Hill (later Grissom) AFB. Overall natural metal with SAC flash and emblem on nose. "City of Kokomo" on both sides of the nose in black;
  • B-58A 59-2428 from the 43rd BW based at Carswell AFB. Overall natural metal with SAC flash and emblem on nose. "BEN-HUR" in black on both sides of the nose;
  • B-58A 59-2461 from the 305th BW based at Bunker Hill (later Grissom) AFB during 1961. Overall natural metal with SAC flash and emblem on nose. "HOOSIER HUSTLER" in black on both sides of the nose;
  • B-58A 58-1016 from the 43rd BW based at Carswell AFB. Overall natural metal with SAC flash and emblem on nose. "CHAMPION of CHAMPIONS" in red on the left side of the nose;
  • B-58A 58-1009 from the 43rd BW based at Little Rock AFB. Overall natural metal with SAC flash and emblem on nose. "BONANZA" behind the cockpit with a black bull and "El Toro de Moros";
  • B-58A 59-2435 during the period when it was used for weapons and pod-drop tests. Overall natural metal with "SHACKBUSTER" in black on both sides of the nose. Multiple red tylised bomb emblems on left nose;
  • B-58A 59-2430 from the 43rd BW based at Carswell AFB. Overall natural metal with SAC flash and emblem on nose. Red flash on fin;
  • B-58A 59-2447 from the 43rd BW based at Carswell AFB. Overall natural metal with SAC flash and emblem on nose. "RAPID RABBIT" on the left side of the nose  and two vertical red rectangles on the fin;
  • B-58A 59-2458 from the 43rd BW based at Carswell AFB. Overall natural metal with SAC flash and emblem on nose. "BENDIX TROPHY WINNER" on the left side of the nose with crew details;
  • B-58A 61-2053 from the 305th BW based at Bunker Hill (later Grissom) AFB. Overall natural metal with SAC flash and emblem on nose. Winged "2" in yellow on the fin;
  • B-58A 59-2451 from the 43rd BW bsed at Carswell AFB. Overall natural metal with SAC flash and emblem on nose. Two horizontal red bands on the fin;
  • B-58A 55-662 from the Air Force Flight Test Center, prior to its conversion to TB-58A. Overall natural metal with AFFTC emblem on the nose. Red fin with black AFFTC flash outlined in white;
  • B-58A 55-660 during the first B-58 flight in its early evaluation scheme. Overall natural metal with the lower fuselage in white. Red cheatline to forward fuselage and "B-58 Convair" in red script. Red flash to engine intakes;
  • B-58A 55-660 in its later evaluation scheme. Overall natural metal with red/white forward fuelage and red fin with white flash. "B-58 CONVAIR" in block letters on forward fuselage;
  • B-58A 55-661 from the Air Force Flight Test Center. Overall natural metal with red/white forward fuelage and red fin with white flash. AFFTC shield on nose;
  • B-58A 55-665 from the Air Force Flight Test Center. Overall natural metal with AFFTC emblem on fin and shield on nose;
  • TB-58A 55-662 used as chase aircraft for the XB-70 Valkyrie. Overall natural metal;
  • B-58A 59-2428 as it may have appeared under "Project Bullseye" in a four tone SIOP scheme, comprising Dark Green FS34079, SAC Green FS34159, SAC Bomber Tan FS34201 and gloss black FS17038.

Instructions comprise a 16-page A5 manual in full colour, with left-side and scrap views of each aircraft, togther with additional upper and lower schemes where necessary.

Decals come on no ess than four sheets - the main A5 sheet contains individual aircraft markings, sheet two "black" contains serial numbers and additional details, sheet three provides markings in red and sheet four contains stars'n'bars and "USAF" markings for one aircraft.

This sheet is designed for the Italeri/Testors kit and is highly recommended!

Review and images by Chris St Clair