The Martin RB-57D Canberra was a specialized high-altitude strategic reconnaissance aircraft developed from the Martin B-57 Canberra tactical bomber, a license-built version of the English Electric Canberra. It was used by the United States Air Force during the 1950s prior to operational use of the Lockheed U-2.
Martin RB-57D Canberra
Martin RB-57D 53-3977 shown in-flight with a Tactical Air Command B-57A bomber (black plane in this formation)
RB-57D 53-3982 at the National Museum of the United States Air Force
EB-57D of the 4713th DSES flying over a General Electric AN/FPS-6 radar
The Martin B-57 Canberra is an American-built, twin-engined tactical bomber and reconnaissance aircraft that entered service with the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1953. The B-57 is a license-built version of the British English Electric Canberra, manufactured by the Glenn L. Martin Company. Initial Martin-built models were virtually identical to their British-built twinjet counterparts; Martin later modified the design to incorporate larger quantities of US-sourced components and produced the aircraft in several variants.
Martin B-57 Canberra
The British-built Canberra B.2 that was used as a pattern and prototype for the B-57
B-57B Canberras of the 345th Bombardment Wing in flight, 1957
EB-57A parked at Scott AFB, 1969