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B-57 Camberra
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Photo:
Robert Deering 10/18/2012 National Museum of the USAF Wright-Paterson AFB (FFO) Dayton, Ohio |
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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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