Martin B-57 Canberra
The Martin B-57 Canberra was an American-built, twin-jet tactical bomber and reconnaissance aircraft based on the British English Electric Canberra. Entering service in the 1950s, the B-57 was used for bombing, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare missions, serving in the Vietnam War and with the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard for decades.
Fact Sheet
| Role | Tactical Bomber / Reconnaissance |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Glenn L. Martin Company (under license from English Electric) |
| First Flight | July 20, 1953 (B-57A) |
| Service Entry | 1954 |
| Crew | 2 (pilot, navigator/bombardier) |
| Number Built | 403 |
Specifications (B-57B Model)
| Length | 65 ft 6 in (19.96 m) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 64 ft 0 in (19.51 m) |
| Height | 14 ft 10 in (4.52 m) |
| Wing Area | 960 sq ft (89.2 m²) |
| Empty Weight | 25,694 lb (11,657 kg) |
| Loaded Weight | 42,000 lb (19,051 kg) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 54,000 lb (24,494 kg) |
| Powerplant | 2 × Wright J65-W-5 turbojets (7,220 lbf each) |
| Max Speed | 598 mph (963 km/h) |
| Cruise Speed | 510 mph (820 km/h) |
| Range | 2,000 mi (3,220 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 48,000 ft (14,630 m) |
| Rate of Climb | 6,810 ft/min (34.6 m/s) |
Armament & Defensive Equipment
| Guns | 8 × .50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns or 4 × 20 mm cannons (in nose) |
|---|---|
| Bomb Load | Up to 10,500 lb (4,760 kg) of bombs |
| Aiming Equipment | Bombsight, radar, and optical systems (varied by mission) |
Notable Features
- American adaptation of the British Canberra bomber
- Served in bombing, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare roles
- Used extensively in the Vietnam War for night interdiction and close air support
- High-altitude reconnaissance and weather research variants
- Long service life with the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard
Martin B-57 Canberra: The Versatile American Jet Bomber
The Martin B-57 Canberra was an American-built tactical bomber and reconnaissance aircraft that served with the United States Air Force (USAF) from the 1950s through the Vietnam War. It was a licensed, American-manufactured version of the highly successful British-designed English Electric Canberra, but with significant modifications that tailored it for U.S. military requirements.
Origins and Design
In the late 1940s, the U.S. Air Force sought a jet-powered tactical bomber to replace its aging piston-engine aircraft. The USAF chose the British Canberra for its simple, elegant design, impressive performance, and proven reliability. The Martin Company won the contract to build the aircraft in the U.S., but they introduced numerous design changes to meet American standards and operational needs.
Key differences from the original British Canberra included:
- Engine Choice: The B-57 was powered by two more powerful Wright J65 turbojet engines (a license-built version of the British Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire), replacing the Rolls-Royce Avons used in the original.
- Cockpit Arrangement: The most significant change was the switch to a side-by-side cockpit for a two-man crew (pilot and navigator/bombardier), a preference of the USAF, as opposed to the tandem cockpit of the British design.
- Defensive Armament: Early B-57s featured a rotary bomb bay and a variety of wing-mounted guns, including eight .50 caliber machine guns or four 20 mm cannons. Later models had no forward-firing guns, as their role shifted.
The first American-built B-57A flew on July 20, 1953, and the aircraft officially entered service in 1954.
The B-57 in the Vietnam War: A Unique Legacy
The B-57 earned its combat reputation during the Vietnam War, where it was the first jet bomber to see combat with the USAF in the conflict. Its missions evolved as the war progressed, demonstrating the aircraft’s remarkable versatility.
- Early Combat (1964-1965): B-57Bs were initially deployed for medium-altitude bombing missions against Viet Cong targets. However, they soon transitioned to the more dangerous and effective role of low-level, high-speed night interdiction. This involved flying at very low altitudes to attack enemy supply routes and trucks, a mission for which its speed and maneuverability were well-suited.
- “Tropic Moon” Program: The B-57’s most notable role in Vietnam came from a highly specialized reconnaissance and interdiction variant. The B-57G “Tropic Moon III” was developed for night attack missions, equipped with a nose-mounted Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) sensor, Low-Light TV, and a laser designator. The B-57G’s avionics suite enabled it to precisely find and destroy targets at night, becoming a feared enemy of North Vietnamese logistics. These aircraft were highly effective but were eventually replaced by AC-130 gunships.
Specialized Variants and Retirement
Beyond its bomber role, the B-57 was adapted for numerous specialized missions, which extended its service life for decades.
- Reconnaissance: The RB-57D and later RB-57F (later renamed WB-57F) were high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft used for a variety of roles, including photographic mapping, atmospheric sampling (for nuclear testing), and electronic intelligence gathering. These variants featured a massively extended wingspan to operate at altitudes above 60,000 feet, often flying Cold War missions along the borders of the Soviet Union and China.
- Weather Reconnaissance: Some B-57Fs were used by NASA as WB-57F aircraft for high-altitude weather and atmospheric research.
- Electronic Warfare: A small number of EB-57s were developed for electronic warfare and jamming missions.
The last of the B-57 bombers were retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1983. However, the high-altitude WB-57F reconnaissance variants have had an exceptionally long life. As of 2024, three WB-57F aircraft remain in active service with NASA, flying a variety of scientific and military-related high-altitude missions from Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. This makes the B-57 one of the longest-serving military-derived aircraft in aviation history.
