The B-57 is one of only two major combat aircraft of foreign design adopted for use by the United States military since the end of World War II. The first British built Canberra arrived in the United States in 1951 and U.S. built aircraft began flying two years later. The B-57E version of the plane was the first aircraft in the U.S. inventory specifically built for towing aerial targets. All combat equipment was replaced with the cables and reels needed to tow the large targets used in aerial gunnery practice. The B-57E could be converted to a bomber and a number of them were converted to replace combat loses in Vietnam. Two aircraft were also converted to act as airborne relays for real-time video reconnaissance over Vietnam. While the system, code named, “Compass Site” was successful it was never deployed to Vietnam.
Wingspan | 64 ft |
Length | 65 ft 6 in. |
Height | 15 ft 7 in. |
Weight | 55,000 lbs (loaded) |
Maximum Speed | 582 MPH |
Service Ceiling | 48,000 ft |
Range | 2,300 miles |
Engines | Two Wright J56-W-5 turbojets with 7,200 pounds of thrust |
Crew | 2 |
Manufacturer
Martin
Markings
363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Shaw AFB, South Carolina, 1970
Serial Number
55-4274
Designation
B-57E
Pima Air & Space Museum
Creating unlimited horizons in aerospace education through the preservation and presentation of the history of flight.
Charity EIN: 86-6031135
Copyright ©
Website by CS Design Studios
Contact Info
6000 E Valencia Rd, Tucson, AZ 85756
Operating Hours:
Open 9 AM – 5 PM Daily
Last Admittance at 3:00 PM