Martin EB-57B Canberra

The B-57 was the first aircraft of foreign design to be chosen for US production since 1918. Martin Aviation’s design was based on the English Electric Aviation Canberra. The twin engine light tactical bomber served with the Tactical Air Command from 1955 to 1969 in bombers, reconnaissance and electronics warfare aircraft roles. Several Air Force Reserve B-57’s were called to active duty during Vietnam where their large iron bomb loads came in handy for counter insurgency operations. The bombay doors rotated around the belly to keep the plane sleek during bomb runs.

The museum’s B-57B, serial number 52-1519, began life as a “D” model bomber and was delivered to the Air Force on March 29, 1955. It saw service with the 8th Tactical Bombing Squadron, Air National Guard Units in Kansas and Kentucky, PACAF units at Clark AB, Philippines, and Phan Rang AB, Vietnam. After storage at the “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, from 1969-1972, it was converted in 1973 to an EB-57B for an Electronic Counter-Measures (ECM) role, and flew with the 158th Defense Systems Evaluation Group of the Vermont Air National Guard from 1974-1981. This aircraft is on loan from the USAF.

According to the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA/RSA), Maxwell AFB, AL, the museum’s EB-57B has the following history:

B-57B, s/n 52-1519, was manufactured by Glenn L Martin Co., and delivered to the USAF on 29 Mar 1955. Its assignments were:

Mar 1955 - To Warner Robins Air Materiel Area GA

May 1955 - To 38th Bombardment (L) Wing (USAFE), Laon AB France

Oct 1955 - Unit became 38th Bombardment (Tactical) Wing (deployed to Landstuhl AB Germany)

Apr 1958 - To 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (ANG), NAS Hutchinson KS

Jul 1959 - To 165th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (ANG), Standiford Field KY (converted to RB-57B)

Jan 1963 - To 123rd Tactical Reconnaissance Group (ANG), Standiford Field KY

Jan 1965 - To 405th Fighter Wing (PACAF), Clark AB Philippines

Oct 1965 - To 6200th Air Base Wing (PACAF), Clark AB PH (converted to B-57B)

Apr 1967 - To 405th Fighter Wing (PACAF), Clark AB PH (deployed to Phan Rang AB SVN)

Jan 1968 - To 35th Fighter Wing (PACAF), Phan Rang AB NVN (deployed to Clark AB PH)

Oct 1969 - To Military Aircraft Storage Center AZ

Jul 1972 - To Warner Robins Air Materiel Area GA (converted to EB-57)

Jan 1973 - To 4677th Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron (ADC), Malmstrom AFB MT (converted to EB-57B)

Apr 1974 - To 158th Fighter Interceptor Group (ANG), Burlington AP VT

Sep 1975 - To 158th DSE Group (ANG), Burlington AP VT

Dec 1981 - Dropped from inventory by donation to school or museum. Final flight to the museum at March AFB after 7,727.5 flight hours.