60 years ago... USAF B-58 New York to Paris record flight ! The USAF aircrew of the Mach 2 strategic bomber Convair B-58 Hustler, nicknamed “The Firefly”, pose at the Paris Airport apron near the plaque that commemorates the landing spot of Charles Lindbergh’s first solo trans-Atlantic flight in May 1927. Left-to-right: Major William R. Payne, Aircraft Commander, Captain William L. Polhemus, Navigator, and Captain Raymond R. Wagener, Defensive Systems Officer, won the Harmon and Mackay Aviation Trophies for this flight. While Lindbergh’s flight took 33 hours 33 minutes, the B-58 Hustler only needed 3 hours 19 minutes... an average of 1755 Km/Hour for the very first supersonic transatlantic crossing ! Note the Rolex GMT-master Pepsi pilot watch at Captain Polhemus’ wrist, a favorite wristwatch among many pilots, civil and military alike! (Photo: USAF) (Scan: MoonwatchUniverse collection)
