Martin WB-57F Canberra, N925NA / 011, Pima Air & Space Museum
This picture is © Martin Laycock and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: N925NA
Construction Number: 011
Code Number: 925
Model Martin WB-57F Canberra
Operator: Pima Air & Space Museum
Airport: Tucson - Pima Air and Space Museum, USA - Arizona
Photographer: Martin Laycock
Date Taken: 10/1992
Date Submitted: 28/06/2009
The WB-57F was a redesignation of the USAF's RB-57F. They were highly modified versions of the B-57 carried out by the General Dynamics Corporation in Fort Worth, Texas for use in the high-altitude reconnaissance role. In total, twenty-one aircraft were modified to the RB-57F configuration: three RB-57As, fourteen B-57Bs and four RB-57Ds. The RB-57F design incorporated many major changes. The first, and most obvious, was the greatly enlarged wing. The new wing had a span of more than 122 feet, 14 feet more than the RB-57D and nearly double that of a B-57B. The second obvious change was the replacement of the Wright J65 turbojets with Pratt & Whitney TF33 turbofans. The TF33s gave the aircraft more than double the thrust of the B model. Most of the F models operated by the USAF were operated as weather reconnaissance aircraft and used in part to measure radiation levels after above ground nuclear weapons tests conducted by other countries. This remarkable aircraft is capable of Cruising at 65,000 feet with a 4,500lb payload, and has a range of 2,500 miles. This particular WB-57F was originally 63-13501 in USAF service, she was transferred to NASA as 925 before acquiring her current civil registration. NASA used her for various high altitude sampling projects and in the development of satellite systems. She was retired to AMARC during September 1982 before being transferred to Pima. She is displayed at Pima courtesy of the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
Picture ID:1179822