B-57 "Canberra"

The B-57 was a modified version of the English Electric Canberra, first flown in Britain on May 13, 1949, and later produced for the Royal Air Force. After the Korean War began in 1950, the Air Force sought a medium jet bomber to replace the aging Douglas B-26 Invader, and in March 1951 contracted with the Glenn L. Martin Co. to build the Canberra in the U.S. under a licensing agreement with English Electric. The Martin-built B-57 made its first flight on July 20, 1953, and by the end of production in 1959, 403 Canberras had been produced for the Air Force. The RB-57A, used from 1954 to 1957 by the 363rd Reconnaissance Wing, Tactical Air Command, carried a camera and bombs, and 67 of this variant were produced. The first B-57B flew on June 28, 1954, was delivered to Tactical Air Command in January 1955, and 202 were built. The B-57B had different armament and a remodeled cockpit, and later modifications allowed it to be employed at night in Vietnam. The aircraft was also used for aerial policing of nuclear test-ban treaties, electronic reconnaissance over communist territory, training missions, target towing, weather research, and intercept training.

Lackland AFB, Texas · United States