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Martin |
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B-57
Camberra
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Photo:
Robert Deering 10/18/2012
National Museum of
the USAF
Dayton, Ohio |
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 (A-26) Invader. In March
1951 the USAF contracted with Martin to build the
British English Electric Canberra in the United States under license. 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. Until the last B-57B
departed in November 1969, the 8th and 13th Bomb
Squadrons flew many different types of missions,
including close air support and night interdiction, in
all combat areas in Southeast Asia. |
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SPECIFICATIONS:
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PERFORMANCE: |
| Span:
64 ft. |
Maximum speed:
570 mph
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Length:
65
ft. 6 in.
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Cruising speed:
450
mph
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Height:
15
ft. 6 in. |
Range:
2,000
miles
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Empty Weight:
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Service ceiling:
49,000 ft. |
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Gross Weight:
58,800 lbs. maximum
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Crew:
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Engines:
Two
Wright J65-W-5 turbojets of 7200 lbs. static thrust each |
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Armament:
Eight .50-cal. M3 machine guns or four 20mm M39 cannons
and approx. 7,500 lbs. maximum of internal and external
stores |
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SOURCE:
National Museum of the United States Air Force |
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1959 DOD Aircraft
Recognition
Manual Page |
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