The RB-57D was a high-altitude strategic reconnaissance aircraft. 20 produced. Extended wing with higher thrust engine modification of B-57B, operated in lower stratosphere. Operations remain largely classified (1957-1963). Replaced by Lockheed U-2. Some converted to WB-57D for weather reconnaissance, high altitude air sampling missions to monitor nuclear testing. Retired by 1970.
RB-57D
The RB-57F was the result of a early-1960s program to produce a virtually new high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft out of the B-57. 21 produced. Developed from some RB-57As, RB-57Bs, and RB-57Ds in 1963 with newer engines and wider wings. Some used for strategic reconnaissance in the early 1960s, most used for weather reconnaissance work as WB-57Fs. Most retired by 1974.
Two WB-57Fs are the only B-57 aircraft model still flyable and in service (NASA, 2011).
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Revision as of 00:27, 11 December 2011
The Martin B-57 Canberra was first manufactured in 1953, and the United States Air Force had accepted a total of 403 B-57s before production ended in early 1957. The last USAF B-57 was retired in 1983.
This list is of the units it was assigned to, and the bases it was stationed.
Units
Tactical Bombardment
The B-57B Tactical Bomber was the replacement for the World-War II B-26 Invader. Assigned to TAC, USAFE, PACAF. 202 aircraft produced. Production began in 1952, deliveries began in 1954. TAC aircraft sent to Air National Guard by 1958, being replaced by F-100 Super Sabre. USAFE aircraft withdrawn from France in 1958 by agreement.
PACAF 8th and 13th Bombardment Squadrons flew B-57B Tactical Bombers in combat during Vietnam War, 1964-1969. The B-57G modification (Tropic Moon Night Intruder, 18 B-57B aircraft modified) flew in combat 1967-1972. Last aircraft retired from Air National Guard, 1974.
The B-57Cs was a limited-production dual-control trainer version of the B-57B (1954-1958). 38 produced. A small number of number of B-57Cs were later re-equipped and redesignated as RB-57C for service alongside RB-57A Reconnaissance aircraft as trainers when the latter were issued to ANG units.
The RB-57A was the replacement for the RB-26 night reconnaissance aircraft. 67 produced. The aircraft was filled with various cameras and was unarmed, it's mission being day and night, high and low, and visual and photographic reconnaissance. It filled the photo-reconnaissance mission of the RB-26, but were not reliable and also had a high accident rate. Replaced by the RB-66B Destroyer and RF-101C Voodoo by 1958; survivors sent to the Air National Guard. Some were converted to Air Defense Command EB-57A electronic warfare aircraft to provide training for air defense radar units. By 1973, most of the surviving R/EB-57A's had been retired to AMARC at Davis Monthan AFB. A few were converted to RB-57F strategic reconnaissance/weather reconnaissance aircraft.
Ten RB-57As were modified for high-altitude strategic reconnaissance over non-friendly areas under "Project Heartthrob". Designated RB-57A-1s, they flew high-altitude reconnaissance missions over eastern Europe, Communist China and North Korea in the late 1950s.
Eight RB-57Es were modified from B-57E Target Towing aircraft and were fitted with cameras and other sensors as part of the "Patricia Lynn" project during the Vietnam War. They were used in spotting Viet Cong river traffic at night along the Mekong delta southeast of Saigon. In 1969/70, Patricia Lynn missions were flown into Laos and into Cambodia. The Patricia Lynn operation was terminated in mid-1971.
10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing
1st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
Toul-Rosieres Air Base, France
RAF Alconbury, United Kingdom
363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Shaw AFB, South Carolina
66th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, Sembach AB, West Germany
30th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
33d Tactical Group, Detachment 1, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam (RB-57E)
Re-designated: 6250th Combat Support Group Detachment 1, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam (RB-57E)
Re-designated: 460th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Detachment 1, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam (RB-57E)
6021st Reconnaissance Squadron, Yokota AB, Japan
6091st Reconnaissance Squadron, Yokota AB, Japan
556th Reconnaissance Squadron, Yokota AB, Japan
7407th Support Squadron, Weisbaden AB, West Germany
18th Tactical Fighter Wing, Kadena AB, Okinawa
556th Reconnaissance Squadron
Strategic Reconnaissance
The RB-57D was a high-altitude strategic reconnaissance aircraft. 20 produced. Extended wing with higher thrust engine modification of B-57B, operated in lower stratosphere. Operations remain largely classified (1957-1963). Replaced by Lockheed U-2. Some converted to WB-57D for weather reconnaissance, high altitude air sampling missions to monitor nuclear testing. Retired by 1970.
The RB-57F was the result of a early-1960s program to produce a virtually new high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft out of the B-57. 21 produced. Developed from some RB-57As, RB-57Bs, and RB-57Ds in 1963 with newer engines and wider wings. Some used for strategic reconnaissance in the early 1960s, most used for weather reconnaissance work as WB-57Fs. Most retired by 1974.
Two WB-57Fs are the only B-57 aircraft model still flyable and in service (NASA, 2011).
1211th Test Squadron, Kirkland AFB, New Mexico
4028th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron
Turner AFB, Georgia
Laughlin AFB, Texas
6091st Reconnaissance Squadron, Yokota AB, Japan (RB-57F)
