Martin EB-57E Canberra (USA)
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April 1- September 30
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The Castle Air Museum is chartered by the Department of Education and operated by the Castle Air Museum Foundation, Inc., a private not-for-profit corporation,
tax-exempt under IRS Code 501 (c)(3). The mission of the Museum is to preserve military aviation history for future generations.
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Specifications
Country of Origin:
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United States
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Manufacturer:
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Glenn L. Martin Co.
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Role/Function:
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Electronic Warfare/Tactical Bomber
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Serial Number:
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55-4253
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Model Number/Mk #:
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Model 272
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Crew:
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2
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Power Plant:
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2 - Wright J-65-W-5 turbojet engines with 7,200 lbs. of thrust each
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Maximum Speed:
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582 mph.
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Cruising Speed:
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476 mph.
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Service Ceiling:
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48,000 ft.
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Range:
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2,650 mi.
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Weights:
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Empty: 27,090 lbs. Loaded: 40,345 lbs. Maximum: 55,100 lbs.
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Wing Span:
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64 ft.
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Length:
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65 ft. 6 in.
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Height:
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15 ft. 7 in.
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Wing Area:
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960 ft²
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Armament:
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4 - 20mm cannons or 8 - .50 caliber machine guns in the nose; 6,000 lbs. of bombs in the bomb bay; 16 - rockets on wing pylons. EW-variant carried no weapons
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Cost:
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$1,260,000.00
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Number Built:
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403
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# in Current Service:
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None
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The Martin EB-57E Canberra is an American version of the English Electric Canberra used by the RAF and was produced under license by the Glenn L. Martin Company. It was first used by the U.S. Air Force in 1954 and was used primarily as a low level bomber and night attack aircraft. The B-57E was also used as a reconnaissance aircraft and as a target tug aircraft.
At the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, the USAF found itself in dire need of an all-weather interdiction aircraft. The piston-engined Douglas A-26 Invaders were limited to daytime and fair weather operations and were in short supply. Thus, on September 16, 1950 the USAF issued a request for a jet-powered bomber with a top speed of 630 mph (1,020 km/h), ceiling of 40,000 feet (12,190 m), and range of 1,150 miles (1,850 km). Full all-weather capability and secondary reconnaissance role had to be included in the design. To expedite the process, only projects based on existing aircraft were considered. The contenders included the Martin XB-51, and the North American B-45 Tornado and AJ Savage.
Foreign aircraft including the Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck and the new Canberra — which had not officially entered service with the Royal Air Force (RAF) at the time — were also considered, an extremely rare move. The AJ and B-45 were quickly dismissed because their outdated designs had limited growth potential. The CF-100, an all-weather interceptor, was too small and lacked sufficient range. The XB-51, while very promising and much faster, had limited maneuverability, a small weapons bay, and limited range and endurance.
Cartridge engine starters in an RB-57B producing copious amounts of black smoke .On February 21, 1951, a British Canberra B.2 (flown by Roland Beamont) became the first-ever jet to make a non-stop unrefuelled flight across the Atlantic Ocean, arriving in the United States for USAF evaluation. In a February 26 flyoff against the XB-51, the Canberra emerged a clear winner. It was officially taken up by the USAF on May 25, 1951.
The Canberra saw action early during the Vietnam Conflict, arriving in 1964. During that time, 24 B-57s participated in the Rolling Thunder bombing campaign along with other types of U.S. Air Force aircraft.
The most interesting version of the B-57 is the RB-57F reconnaissance aircraft. Its role was similar to that of the U-2, a high flying, long endurance spyplane. To this end, the RB-57 wingspan was lengthened to 122 feet, in order to lift the aircraft to extreme altitudes.
The aircraft on display at Castle Air Museum is an electronic warfare version. Its mission was to simulate enemy attacks against American airspace, in order to test our defenses. It began life as a B-57E and was delivered to the Air Force in 1956 and served with the Air Defense Command.
It was modified to its EB-57E configuration in 1964 and served last with the 17th Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron at Malstrom Air Force Base in Montana. It was acquired by the Museum from the Military Aircraft Storage Facility in Arizona and was restored in 1992 by Castle Museum volunteers.
Other Points of Interest: