The B-58 Connections

[CoastieJohn]

This maybe old news to some. It's good for a Sunday night read.

I was watching a PBS drive tonight plugging singer John Denver's life and music. Of course it mentioned his dad, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Henry John "Dutch" Deutschendorf's service during WWII, Korea and VN. I didn't know his dad set some world records in the B-58. One thing mentioned in the JD documentary was his dad supposedly checked out Lindberg in a B-24 or B-25 during WWII.



Below is a Youtube of his dad's B-58 record setting flight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jN6hx0LCfA

That led me to see this B-58 documentary narrated by BrigGen Jimmy Stewart. It also includes "Dutch's" record setting flight and footage of Jimmy Stewart getting out of the B-58. He stated he was invited to fly it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEKyTxnrXIc

Curious about Jimmy Stewart, another Google led me to this excellent summary of Jimmy Stewart's military service. I did not know his last military flight was as an Observer in a B-52 over North Vietnam. So there ya have it.....

http://www.historynet.com/mr-stewart-goes-to-war.htm

[JohnB]

Anyone remember the John Denver TV special (remember when they had those?) about flying circa 1985?

IIRC, very Air Force-centric and he flew in a F-15.

His dad flew his Lear 35 which sported a custom paint scheme. I believe the aircraft is still around (I saw it for sale a few years back), but t New longer has his scheme.

[CoastieJohn]

That PBS documentary last night showed his private jet flying with JD in the left and his dad in the right seat. It did have a flashy paint scheme.

[maxum96]

Cool films. Anyone know if Jimmy Stewart really flew a B-58 as the command pilot?

[JohnB]

Probably not as PIC. He was a reservist and I doubt if he had time to go through the complete B-58 school. I would think SAC had regulations about those things....from personal experience I know they had regs about everything else.

Last edited by JohnB on Tue Mar 21, 2017 9:04 am, edited 1 time in total.

[airnutz]

Cool films. Anyone know if Jimmy Stewart really flew a B-58 as the command pilot?

One of the B-58 pilots told me years ago in an e-mail that, "Jimmy Stewart lined up with the other brass to get his ride and his Mach 2 pin." So no, he didn't pilot the -58. I think it was the Hustler House website, 'bout 15 years ago. You might try asking Lt. Col. Schmidt(again?) for a more recent and certain rendition, Max?
b-58-hustler.com

[maxum96]

Cool films. Anyone know if Jimmy Stewart really flew a B-58 as the command pilot?

One of the B-58 pilots told me years ago in an e-mail that, "Jimmy Stewart lined up with the other brass to get his ride and his Mach 2 pin." So no, he didn't pilot the -58. I think it was the Hustler House website, 'bout 15 years ago. You might try asking Lt. Col. Schmidt(again?) for a more recent and certain rendition, Max?
b-58-hustler.com

I didn't think he'd flown a B-58 as PIC even though the one film showed him climbing out of the front seat. But I wasn't sure. Not taking anything away from Jimmy Stewart and his service in WWII and beyond, but I wouldn't doubt he got his mach 2 pin as a publicity stunt.

[airnutz]

Yep, no intent to take away anything from Jimmy Stewart. I think it was more of a reflection of the ambiguity in the language of the PR people. He was one of the great coups of the USAF PR who came by it honestly with the amiable participation of the General. I don't think he was getting his Mach 2 pin as a publicity stunt. I think the pin was more of an appeal of the 10 year old in all of us who forever get a kick out of flight. Who would turn down a free ride in a B-58 at any speed? I'd guess when the PR people got wind of it it was more like, "Umm General, while you're there, we'd like to showcase the B-58...." Betcha the other brass hat riders didn't get that offer.

[Gary M]

It's my understanding that Jimmy Stewart was offered a ride to get his Mach 2 pin in a B-58. Once they were up there, the A/C went to afterburner but could only get three to light off! A slight nose down attitude finally got them to 2.0!