B-57A "Canberra"

 

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1950s US Bombers

English Electric Canberra
Martin RB-57A

Martin B-57A "Canberra"

Martin B-57A In early 1951, the USAF selected the English Electric Canberra as a replacement for the aging Douglas B-26 "Invader." Because English Electric was unable to meet the USAF delivery schedule, the design was licensed to Martin for US manufacture.

Martin engineers kept the basic design of the Canberra B Mk 2 intact. There were; however, two significant changes. First, the engines were upgraded from 6,500 lb. thrust Rolls-Royce Avon turbojets to Armstrong-Siddeley "Sapphires" with 7,200 lbs. thrust. The Sapphire engines were also licensed for US manufacture--in this case, Wright built them under the J65 designation. The second major design change was the elimination of one crewman. The B-57A carried only a pilot and engineer.

Eight B-57As were built and used primarily for flight and systems test programs.

 
TYPE
B-57A 		Number Built/Converted
8		 Remarks
Martin-built Canberra B Mk 2

    Notes:

  • Serial numbers: 52-1418 to 52-1425
  • Martin Model 272
  • First flight: 20 July 1953

SPECIFICATIONS
Span: 64 ft. 0 in. (without tip tanks)
Length: 65 ft. 6 in.
Height: 15 ft. 7 in.
Weight: 51,000 lbs. maximum takeoff weight
Armament: Approximately 10,000 lbs. of bombs maximum, normal loading 4,000-6,000 lbs.
Engines: Two Wright J65-W-5 turbojets of 7,200 lbs. static thrust each (Wright J65 was US-built version of the Armstrong Siddeley "Sapphire")
Crew: 2 - pilot and engineer-observer

PERFORMANCE
Maximum Speed: 582 mph at 40,000 ft.
Cruising Speed: 520 mph.
Combat Radius: 990 nautical miles
Range: approximately 2,650 miles maximum ferry range
Service Ceiling: 48,000 ft.

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