Martin B-57E Canberra

A picture of the Martin B-57E Canberra

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

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