Martin B-57 Canberra
Glenn L. Martin Company · USA · first flew 1953 · bomber
The Martin B-57 Canberra is a US-built licence-derived version of the English Electric Canberra, serving as a tactical bomber and reconnaissance jet.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbojet, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 19.96 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Wing-mounted twin turbojets on a mid straight wing
- Tandem two-seat glazed cockpit
- American-licensed English Electric Canberra
Distinguished from the British Canberra by its stepped tandem canopy and rotary bomb door; the broad straight wing with buried nacelles sets it apart from swept-wing jets.
Specifications
- The Martin B-57 Canberra has a length of 19.96 m (65 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 18.84 m (62 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 935 km/h (581 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Martin licensed the British Canberra design in the early 1950s, first flying its version in 1953; it was substantially reworked with US systems and later produced specialised recon variants.
Variants
Marks ranged from the B-57B bomber to the high-altitude RB-57D/F reconnaissance conversions with greatly extended wings.
Where you'll see it
Flown by the US Air Force notably in Vietnam and in weather and reconnaissance roles; some airframes served for decades.
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