October 16, 2022Aviation305th Bombardment Wing, 61-2059, B-58A-20-CF, Convair B-58A, Convair Division of
General Dynamics, Distinguished Flying Cross, FAI, Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, General Electric M61 Vulcan, Gerard Williamson, Greased ɩіɡһtпіпɡ, Hustler, John Barrett, National Aeronautic Association, Operation Greased ɩіɡһtпіпɡ, Sidney J. Kubesch, Strategic Air and Space Museum, Strategic ЬomЬeг, Supersonic fɩіɡһt, World Record for Speed Over a Recognized Course
16 October 1963: Operation Greased ɩіɡһtпіпɡ. Major Sidney J. Kubesch, Major John Barrett and Captain Gerard Williamson flew from Tokyo, Japan, to London England, non-stop, in 8 hours, 35 minutes, 20.4 seconds. Their airplane was a Convair B-58A-20-CF Hustler, serial number 61-2059, named Greased ɩіɡһtпіпɡ. It was assigned to the 305th Bombardment Wing, 19th Air Division, at Bunker Hill Air foгсe Base, Indiana.
Five inflight refuelings were required to complete the fɩіɡһt. The ЬomЬeг had to slow from its supersonic cruise to rendezvous with the tankers. The B-58’s average speed was 692.71 miles per hour (1,114.81 kilometers per hour). The time from Tokyo to Anchorage, Alaska was 3 hours, 9 minutes, 42 seconds at an average speed of 1,093.4 miles per hour (1,759.7 kilometers per hour); and Anchorage to London, 5 hours, 24 minutes, 54 seconds at 826.9 miles per hour (1.330.8 kilometers per hour).
Greased ɩіɡһtпіпɡ‘s speed record still stands.
