Canberra PR10
 

It's arriving at Mildenhall this afternoon...:E

Well it might happen...

NASA 926 is coming to visit...


http://www.dataviewbooks.com/wb57f.jpg

Isn't the Canberra a Brit version of the B57?

Strange as it may sound, the B57 is actually a US copy of the Canberra.

Yes, that's right, the spams copied one of our toys. And then there was the Harrier, and of course, the Merlin! It might not catch on but.............

AA

The B-57 is indeed the Yank version of the English Electric Canberra!

Are there many RB-57Fs or WB-57Fs left at AMARC - and could they really be a viable PR9 augmentation to cover the 'capability holiday' :yuk: until the RAF decides what to do next?

After all, we augmented our F-4 fleet with Js from the boneyard, so why not augment the PR9s with upgraded B-57Fs if it's do-able?

It's one of 2 used by NASA, (It's 928 actually) supposedly here to 'sample cosmic dust'... :8


There are 5 WB-57Fs at AMARC too...

Nige

I believe it's here to support a UK MoD assessment of future sensors for UAV applications in a European environment.

The two NASA birds have been extensively upgraded and modified by comparison with the aircraft sitting in the desert.

I hope to visit AMARC on 27th October, I'll count them if they'll let me!:D

Maxburner!

Repeat after me

"I'm a very naughty boy."


How's the noo job?

Regards

Tarnished

I saw it arrive! It flew straight over my house, I hadn't seen this thread, and was therefore gobsmacked. I had thought the type extinct! What a sight...

Beagle

It's not the RAF's decision my dear chap - Equipment decisions are taken by the great head office. Just because the current capability is provided by an air breathing manned (personned/inhabited/staffed delete as applicable) platform operated by the RAF it doesn't mean its successor (if there is one) will be.

'sample cosmic dust'

They did that at Woodstock.... :cool:

Tarnished,

I am indeed being naughty! Got several bites, though!

New job is fine, very gentlemanly compared with the last lot, and a lot more organised - the HR set-up was actually expecting me!

Nice to hear from you. Do you have any comment on the Baltic Lightning thread! Sounds unlikely to me.

Max

Err, wouldn't it be a PR20, as the Mk 10 Canberra was a U10 unmanned target drone.

No! The Mk 20 was the Aussie bomber. The first 'vacant' Canberra designation would be PR.Mk 23..... (The T22 was a PR7 with a Buccaneer Blue Parrot in the nose).

Would that be a Norwegian Blue?:p

In effect, yes. It is dead.


Conan

picture here - odd looking thing
 

What's with those engines?!

I saw a photo once of a B-57 in 'nam with a downwards pointing cannon so that it could strafe ground targets whilst flying S+L. Must have been a b*tch to aim!

B-57F:

Stress cracks began appearing in the wing spars and ribs of the RB-57Fs after a few years of service. Some were sent to General Dynamics for repairs. Due to the excessive cost of repairing all the aircraft, nine were placed in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB in 1972. The 58th WRS, the last squadron in the Air Force to use the WB-57F, was deactivated on July 1, 1974 after placing its planes in storage at Davis-Monthan.

Three ex-USAF WB-57Fs were used by NASA in support of various research programs. As early as September of 1968, NASA had contracted with the Air Force to operate a RB-57F for them in conjunction with their Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS) program. The loaned aircraft was 63-13501. NASA installed a data-gathering sensor pallet underneath the central fuselage which carried cameras and electronic sensors. In 1972, the Air Force transferred the aircraft to NASA, where it became NASA 925. 925 was retired by NASA in 1982 and sent to storage at Davis Monthan AFB. It is now on display at the Pima Air Museum. In 1972, 63-13503 was transferred to NASA and became NASA 926. It was used as an Earth Remote Sensing Platform for calibration of satellite data. It was moved to El Paso in 1991. 63-13298 was transferred to NASA in 1974 and renumbered NASA 928. It operates as an air sampler for the Department of Energy.
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Hmm, even with their limited remaining fatigue life they seem to last NASA 9-10 years each. At that rate this one should run out this year. Assuming the other 5 as similar, they could keep one flying till the 2050s. Even longer than the Buffs.....