Martin B-57 Canberra

History of the Martin B-57 Canberra

When the United States committed to the Korean War (1950-1953), it forced most of its existing WWII-era equipment into service, while scrapping others. The multi-role Douglas A-26 Raider aircraft, introduced in 1944, returned to service and found its niche as a light/medium bomber and high-speed heavy attack platform. A total of 2,452 of the model were built, meaning it was only available in limited numbers until 1950, and it had reached the limit of combat fatigue.

Additionally, these aircraft were developed before technology made all-weather service possible, which limited the A-26 to operating during the day in clear weather.

On September 16, 1950, the United States Air Force (USAF) requested the design of a new attack aircraft designed to increase speed and a viable bomb load. To achieve the desired performance, a jet engine should be used as propulsion.

Specifications call for a minimum speed of 630 mph, a range of up to 1,150 miles, and a service ceiling of nearly 40,000 feet. This would make the aircraft a difficult target for enemy interception or ground fire, leaving the design unpunished on the battlefield in the role of a tactical bomber.

As the Korean War spread, speed proved to be critical, so the requirement continued to require modifications to existing airframes to play this role.

Among the entries received, the British electric Canberra, which will serve in the RAF, surprisingly outperformed the local Martin XB-51 prototype bomber. The Canberra is a record-breaking twin-engine, multi-crew bomber whose performance and gun-carrying capabilities appear to be a good match for the US Air Force's ongoing needs. The aircraft completed a transatlantic flight to the US Air Force for evaluation, just to solidify the selection.

The Martin XB-51 exhibited some important limitations in meeting USAF requirements, making Canberra the clear winner of the competition and the XB-51 in aviation history. A foreign-born aircraft was used for a slew of U.S. service, making it one of the rare events in modern U.S. Air Force history.

In order to enable Canberra to supply the quantities required by the USAF, the Glenn L. Martin Company was entrusted with a local production license in April 1951. The product is called "Model 272" in Martin nomenclature. The US Air Force referred to the aircraft as the "B-57" but retained its British designation "Canberra".

The first models became the B-57A, and these bombers remained largely faithful to the RAF's B. Mk 2 bombers, although the American models carried a crew of two (instead of three) and consisted of 2 Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire turbojets power 7,200 pounds of thrust each (instead of the Rolls-Royce Avon's 7,400 pounds of thrust each). The British Sapphire engine is also locally licensed, which is used by the Wright Company for its J67 engine.

Other changes were relatively subtle to meet USAF requirements, including revised bomb bay doors and canopy.

The photographic reconnaissance brand started with the RB-57A, with 67 built. It was followed by the RB-57B, a modification of the existing B-57B. The RB-57D was fitted with a Wright J57-P-9 turbojet and increased wingspan, and 20 were produced.

The RB-57E became an all-weather reconnaissance platform and saw six B-57E variants converted. The RB-57F became the high-altitude reconnaissance platform, numbered 21.

The ECM (Electronic Countermeasures) models started with the EB-57A, which were converted from the RB-57A. Then came the EB-57B which evolved from the B-57B, the EB-57D which evolved from the RB-57D, and the EB-57E which evolved from the RB-57E. Test brackets are WB-57D and WB-57F Canberras.

In addition to serving with the Americans in the Vietnam War, the B-57 also served with the Pakistani Armed Forces in the war with India in the 1960s and 1970s. Interestingly, this is a case of both parties using roughly the same product in India, the recipient of the UK version of Canberra. In 1985, Pakistan officially entered service with its B-57 fleet from the front line.

Taiwan becomes the only other foreign operator of the B-57, and these are in service with its air force.

Unlike other classic historical military aircraft, many B-57s were salvaged at the end of their useful lives and are now preserved for museum displays or outdoor displays - many of which are primarily RB-57 reconnaissance brands.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes