The Martin B-57 Canberra is an American-built, twin-engined tactical bomber and reconnaissance aircraft that entered service with the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1953. The B-57 is a license-built version of the British English Electric Canberra, manufactured by the Glenn L. …

After the Korean War began in 1950, the U.S. Air Force looked for a jet-powered medium bomber to quickly replace the aging, propeller-driven Douglas B-26 Invader.

Dec 1, 2023 · The Martin B-57 Canberra was developed by the USAF as a replacement for the Douglas B-26 Invaders during the Korean War. The B-57 was highly regarded for its bombing capacity and range, making it effective in tactical bombing missions during the Vietnam War.

With a gross weight of 53,721 pounds, the B-57B was only 2,000 pounds lighter than the Boeing B-17G, one of the standard heavy bombers of World War II.

The Martin-built B-57 made its first flight in July 1953, and when production ended in 1959, a total of 403 Canberras had been produced for the USAF. In 1965 the USAF sent two B-57B squadrons to South Vietnam.

The B-57 featured a sleek design with swept wings and was one of the first U.S. jets capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Notably used in Vietnam, it demonstrated versatility in various roles, from night-time bombing to weather reconnaissance.

The Martin-built B-57 made its first flight in July 1953, and when production ended in 1959, a total of 403 Canberras had been produced for the USAF. A total of 29 Canberras have survived and are on display (see photographs below).

Jun 19, 2017 · Page details technical specifications, development, and operational history of the Martin B-57 Canberra Tactical Bomber / Reconnaissance Aircraft including pictures.

It had an immediate requirement for a light jet bomber, with a 40,000-foot service ceiling, a 1,000-nautical mile range, and a maximum speed of 550 knots. The new bomber had to be capable of operating from unimproved airfields, at night and in every kind of weather, with conventional or atomic weapons. High altitude reconnaissance was another must.

The RB-57A preceded the B-57B in the USAF inventory, but the B-model was the B-57's first production bomber as well as the major inventory model. The most significant change featured by the...