Martin EB-57D Canberra, 53-3982 / M.006, Pima Air & Space Museum
This picture is © Martin Laycock and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: 53-3982
Construction Number: M.006
Code Number: 0-33982
Model Martin EB-57D Canberra
Operator: Pima Air & Space Museum
Airport: Tucson - Pima Air and Space Museum, USA - Arizona
Photographer: Martin Laycock
Date Taken: 13/05/1993
Date Submitted: 10/07/2009
This EB-57D was converted from an RB-57D. Lengthened wings of 106ft span and two Pratt & Whitney J57-P-9 turbojets gave this highly modified Canberra a service ceiling of around 70,000ft. It was those lengthened wings however, that led to a number of catastrophic RB-57D accidents where the wing broke off at the outboard engine nacelle mounting point. As a result the RB-57D fleet were grounded. Aircraft not scheduled for conversion to RB-57F status were placed into storage. In 1966, eight aircraft were returned to Martin for conversion to the electronic aggressor role for the training of air defense radar controllers and fighter interceptor crews. The wings were strengthened and the ECM (Elecronic Countermeasures) systems updated. Once the modifications were complete the aircraft were assigned to Defense Systems Evaluation Squadrons and designated EB-57Ds. The EB-57Ds were themselves withdrawn from service by the end of 1970. This one was photographed at the Pima Air and Space Museum, however she has since been transfered to the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. She can now be found in the 'Cold War Gallery' and has been repainted in her original RB-57D markings from when she served with the 4025th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (Light). Known as the 'Black Knights' this squadron was part of the 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing and flew many classified reconnaissance missions around the world. The most noteworthy of these missions perhaps, occurred on 11 December 1956 when three RB-57Ds overflew the Soviet city of Vladivostock in broad daylight! The inevitable protest from the Soviet government led President Eisenhower to end military overflights of the USSR. However, the CIA continued to overfly the USSR using the U-2.
Picture ID:1182145