1. CALL TO GLORY
How the Convair B58 Hustler Helped Win the
Cold War
By George A. Haloulakos, MBA, CFA
This is a summary preview of
my forthcoming book CALL
TO GLORY and is solely for
use as prep material given to
media professionals doing
interviews with the author.

2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
Introduction
Part 1: The Back Story of the Hustler
 Call to Glory: Raison d’être for the B-58 Hustler
 Performance, Development and Deployment
 Quiet Triumph: Stopping the Enemy Without Dropping Bombs in Anger
 Economic Considerations versus Accounting Data: There is a Difference!
 Game Theory and Politics: An Intriguing Mixture
Part 2: Reappraising the Hustler
 What is Game Theory? How Does It Apply in Assessing Value of Military Assets?
 Three Strategic Weapons Systems Viewed Through the Prism of Game Theory
o Case 1: North American XB-70 Valkyrie
o Case 2: Douglas Skybolt Missile
o Case 3: Convair B-58 Hustler
 The Human Factor: Playing To Win
Part 2: Reappraising the Hustler - continued
 How the B-58 Reduced Risk and Increased SAC’s Expected Success Rate
 Ultimate Gamesmanship: Cuban Missile Crisis
 Further Quantifying How the Hustler’s Versatility Increased SAC’s Effectiveness
 The $64,000 Question: What About the So Called High Accident Rate?
Part 3: Voices of the Cold War Warriors
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
Afterword: The Legacy – Ahead of its Time at the Right Time
Appendix: Encapsulated Cockpit and its 3 Escape Capsules
Bonus Section: Dialogue Between Analyst and Journalist
Bibliography
Acknowledgements
About the Author

3. A Synopsis of CALL TO GLORY
This slim volume is a strategic analysis on the Convair B-58 Hustler, a
supersonic USAF bomber that was an integral part of our nation’s Strategic Air
Command [SAC] from 1960-1970. In this book I analyze the contribution of
this iconic Cold War aircraft in economic and strategic terms. My purpose is to
inform, educate and inspire people to preserve military aviation heritage
because it offers insights into our nation’s history as well as lessons on the
subjects of Finance, Strategy and Game Theory. Among Cold War bombers
the B-58 was truly an elite aircraft. In the words of Major Victor Mayer –
USAF [Ret] – who served as a B-58 Defense Service Operator [DSO]: “We
were a special group, the Black Sheep of SAC because we were limited to
nuclear weapons delivery. “ Regrettably most people are largely unaware of the
B-58 and its role during a crucial period of American history. In fact, most
people associate this aircraft in its role as the fictional Vindicator Bomber in the
1964 film “Fail Safe” and in the 2000 made-for-TV remake of that same film.
Stock footage of the B-58 was incorporated into both films as the bombers
were flying to their targets. Based on main stream, encyclopedic authoritative
sources such as Britannica and World Book from 1960-1970, one might infer that
the B-58 was a costly Cold War relic that lacked versatility, firepower and
adaptability. But those historic accounts lack context – crucial information that
presents a much different perspective.
I write about military aviation as a teaching tool for the aforementioned
subjects of Finance, Strategy and Game Theory. In conducting extensive
primary and secondary research on the B-58 Hustler it became apparent that
this was an aircraft that was both underappreciated and misunderstood. At
first glance the earlier negative inferences seem reasonable based on examining
this aircraft solely through the prism of traditional accounting practices and
defensive rather than offensive minded approaches; but such approaches omit
the strategic value and total economic return of this unique, specialized aircraft.
I have written this book as a reappraisal of the Convair B-58 Hustler to help
the reader develop a greater appreciation for the historic contribution of this
aircraft and to pay tribute to all of the people associated with its design,
development, deployment and operation.
As an exclusive nuclear strike weapon, the B-58 Hustler has been shrouded
in mystery compared to other major bombers from the same era. Since the B-
52 Stratofortress and B-47 Stratojet both had nuclear and conventional roles
they were more visible to the general public. The B-52 and B-47 were
essentially jet-powered versions of the renowned World War II B-29

4. Superfortress, which made them more easily understood, if not appreciated, by
the general public and policy makers.
Call to Glory will share first-hand insights and information about the Convair B-
58 Hustler not widely known. The reader may find that these observations will
be in conflict with some of the conventional wisdom regarding the B-58,
especially with regards to its capabilities, economic return and overall strategic
value. This is not to suggest that the mainstream account of the B-58 and its
retirement after only one decade of service is false but rather it lacks context.
In the ensuing pages, the reader will learn that during its 10-year service life the
two Convair B-58 Hustler Bomb Wings [80 aircraft in total or 40 per wing]:
 Packed the most nuclear firepower of the SAC strategic bombers
 Equaled and then surpassed the nuclear bomber weapons [392] of the
entire enemy Soviet bomber force in late 1962 / early 1963
 Each Hustler carried five nuclear weapons per aircraft -- not just one [as
popularly inferred in various aircraft encyclopedias] – which meant 400
nuclear weapons were from the two Hustler Bomb Wings
 Demonstrated versatility with photo reconnaissance capability plus low-
level flying over extended distances [700 mph for extended on-the-deck
missions at 500 feet]
 Set more records than any fighter or bomber aircraft in history while
serving as a technology driver for advanced aeronautics [14 world speed
records in international competition]
 Won five aeronautical trophies -- Thompson, Bleriot, Mackay, Bendix
and Harmon – the most prestigious awards in aviation
 Were combat-ready on ground-alert to strike any enemy target at Mach
2+ supersonic speed with the elements of surprise and unpredictability
 Provided a complementary fit to the total portfolio of SAC bombers as
the B-58 supersonic capability increased overall effectiveness of the
subsonic B-52 and B-47 aircraft while reducing overall risk for SAC
 The B-58 accident rate [26 aircraft destroyed out of 116] was actually
50% less than comparable military Mach 2+ aircraft in the same era
making it a much safer aircraft than popularly perceived
 Served as impetus for creating an elite group of pilots, defense service
operators, navigators/bombardiers, and ground crew maintenance that
would form the template for future advanced military aircraft programs
 Never launched weapons in anger but was the decisive factor in the 1962
Cuban Missile Crisis - the biggest showdown of all during the Cold War

5.  Was ahead of its time at the right time with its unique combination of
being a supersonic jet bomber with the maneuverability of a fighter
All of this and more largely slipped under the radar of general public awareness.
While the Hustler carried a higher price tag versus other strategic bombers of
its day the intrinsic value outweighed the accounting figures. As a technology
driver it created a foundation for the advancement of aeronautics that presaged
multiple generations of advanced, fly-by-wire aircraft. As a front-line strategic
bomber it upgraded overall fleet capability while reducing risk for SAC. Its
potential service life was curtailed by 10 years as its retirement occurred in the
midst of the SALT [Strategic Arms Limitations Talks] negotiations in the 1960s
and 1970s. Yet in its relatively brief service life the B-58 was among the most
dangerous weapons in SAC and thereby an effective deterrent in keeping the
enemy at bay. The B-58 helped preserve the liberty and freedom of the USA at
a time when the stakes were as high at any time in our nation’s history. On this
basis, its strategic and economic value might be inferred as immeasurable.
The Cold War was not merely a period of diplomatic tension between the USA
and USSR. It was a clash of liberty and freedom versus totalitarianism and
subjugation. Both nations had their armed forces on full alert in the event of
an Emergency War Order. For all those associated with the B-58 Hustler
[including their families and loved ones] these Cold War warriors experienced a
harsh reality that at a moment’s notice they would be ordered to carry out their
mission to protect and defend our nation in which their goal was not
containment but annihilation of the enemy. The B-58 was an integral part of
an American offensive-minded / play-to-win strategy rather than a defensive-
minded / play-not-to-lose approach. It was this type of American
gamesmanship -- with the B-58 as one of its most lethal assets to back it up --
that forced the USSR to accept a “draw” rather than risk engaging in all-out
war with the USA in the high-risk Chess game that was the October 1962
Cuban Missile Crisis.
However, at a moment in history when the USA possessed overwhelming
force, a shift in public policy was already underway in which advanced weapon
systems were either dismantled or cancelled for reasons such as economy and
reduction of tension. Sophisticated aircraft and missile programs were
evaluated through the same accounting prism one might use when estimating
cost-benefit ratios for consumer products like automobiles or home appliances.
The problem with this passive, financial approach was that it ignored the
behavioral response of the enemy – namely that lack of American initiative was
perceived by the USSR as weakness and was to be exploited by increased

6. aggression and arms build-up of their own. With public policy now being
driven by the pursuit of negotiation rather than victory through a show of
strength and willingness to use it, reasons of economy or efficiency were
increasingly cited as the basis for curtailment in the deployment of advanced
weapons systems. The B-58 Hustler was among several military programs
negatively impacted by this development.
Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, architect of the nuclear Navy, viewed this as an
exercise in using fraudulent cost-benefit studies to dismantle every advanced
technology program sponsored by the US military. Such cost-benefit studies
typically used in a normal business setting ignored economic returns such as
technology-driver benefits [including the high-caliber, versatile work force
associated with such advancement] and its positive cascade effect on various
other weapons programs, industries and sectors. The proper notion of
economy and national defense is that if a nation has deployed a weapons
system so powerful that it does not have to be used in anger, then the nation
has achieved victory -- the ultimate measure of Return on Investment for
military assets. Thus the use of financial accounting in this venue without
regard for behavioral response by the enemy and the importance of victory is a
focus on price rather than value. Liberty and freedom are of incalculable value.
They are not to be bargained or sacrificed on the basis of accounting data nor
marginalized in pursuit of settlements instead of victories. To do otherwise
would place our nation at the mercy of our enemies. Thus Admiral Rickover’s
aforementioned criticism has merit because for such decisions to be based on
inappropriate or incomplete metrics is an exercise of self-delusion that spells
danger for all concerned.
All of those directly and indirectly connected with the Convair B-58 Hustler
deserve to be remembered for the significant contributions they made through
service to our nation during the Cold War. They were aware of the grave threat
posed by our primary adversary -- the USSR – during their deployment. As
such the B-58 is a symbol of peace and freedom through display of American
courage and exceptionalism.
A pioneering aircraft that helped usher advancement in aeronautics while
providing object lessons in Finance, Strategy and Game Theory makes for a
compelling story. Finance explains how capital is employed to create added-
value. Strategy explains how resources are mobilized to capitalize on
opportunities while achieving victory. Game Theory embodies strategies and
tactics in situations of conflict or competition in which participants are faced
with choices of action in which they win or lose based on what others choose

7. to do or not to do. Statistics may provide guidelines or rules of thumb but in
the midst of conflict where human behavior comes into play, actions and
outcomes do not necessarily conform to a statistical norm or numeric formula.
The long-retired supersonic B-58 is a unique teaching tool for these disciplines
made all the more interesting by its remarkable achievements during its service
life. It is with a profound sense of gratitude to everyone associated with this
aircraft and to those who contributed to my research with their first-hand
accounts that I dedicate this book.
George Anthony Haloulakos
CALL TO GLORY takes you right into the cockpit to experience what it is like
to fly a nuclear armed aircraft awaiting the Emergency War Order, how flight
crews worked together and having to bail out at high altitude. In this historic
reappraisal of the Hustler you will learn from first-hand accounts by those who
flew this record-setting aircraft the importance of maintaining a strong national
defense plus how to go about assessing the strategic and economic value of
military assets in order to upgrade our nation’s global military capability.
CALL TO GLORY is scheduled for a 2015 summertime release. Please
contact the author to learn more. E-mail: Haloulakos@gmail.com