Rb-57a - Bomber Spy Plane - Cold War B57 Rb57 Military Cockpit Part - Rotorette on 2040-parts.com

1^st RB-57A Created: 1952

SN 52-1426 – rb-57a

Tail Serial # 0-21426

Martin B-57A 'Night Intruder' Canberra

RB-57A Model Info

Photo reconnaissance version with cameras installed aft of the bomb bay; 67 built. RB-57A avionics included an AN/APS-11A transponder and AN/APA-90 Indicator Group for command guidance (LEFT, RIGHT, CLIMB, DESCEND, BOMB, etc.) and was tested[where?] for "MSQ-1 controlled pinpoint photography" in 1954 ("Night Photo Bombing" capacity was 21 M-120 Photoflash Bombs).[45]

The RB-57A - 52-1426 Info

*USAF 30th TRS.

*1968: Michigan ANG 172nd TRS.
*Was preserved at W.K. Kellogg APT, MI.
*Was preserved at Willow Run APT, MI?
*Currently preserved with the Yankee Air Force at Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Time Line 
 A: Martin
 B: RB-57A-MA
 C: Night Intruder (Canberra)
 D: 52-1426 [USAF]
 E:
 F: Willow Run
 G: USAFM
 H: Static display. Under restoration. 10th US built Canberra. 66th Tac
 Recon Wing, Sembach, Germany, 11/56 thru 9/57. 172nd Tac Recon Squadron
 & 110th Tac Recon Grp MI ANG, Kellogg Field, Battle Creek, MI 12/59-8/73
 Manufactured by Glenn L. Martin Company, Baltimore, MD, and delivered
 on January 20, 1954 to the USAF. It was the first RB-57A produced and
 was retained by the manufacturer until:
 Jan 1955 assigned to Warner Robins Air Materiel Center, Robins AFB, GA;
 Nov 1956 assigned to 66th TRW (USAFE), Sembach AB, Germany;
 Sep 1957 back to Warner Robins Air Materiel Center, Robins AFB, GA;
 Dec 1959 assigned to 172nd TRS (Michigan ANG), Kellogg Field,
 Battle Creek, MI;
 Dec 1962 assigned to 110th TRG (Michigan ANG), Kellogg Field,
 Battle Creek, MI;
 Jun 1965 assigned to 152nd TRG (Nevada ANG), Reno MAP, NV
 Feb 1966 back to 110th TRG (Michigan ANG), Kellogg Field,
 Battle Creek, MI;
 Jun 1971 assigned to 110th Tactical Air Support Group (Michigan ANG),
 Kellogg Field, Battle Creek, MI;
 Aug 1973 dropped from inventory by transfer to museum.

In *1958, some of the de-activated RB-57As were transferred to the Air National Guard. The following ANG units received the RB-57A: 

• 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Kansas ANG, Hutchinson, KS. 

• 154th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Arkansas ANG, Little Rock, AK. 

• 165th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Kentucky ANG, Louisville, KY 

• 172nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Michigan ANG, Battle Creek, MI. 

• In 1961, the 192nd TRS of the Nevada ANG at Reno was reequipped with RB-57As.

More History:

The RB-57A arrived in Europe for the first time on the October 24th, 1954 at Spangdahlem in Germany for the 1st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron of the 10th Tactical reconnaissance Wing. The Canberra was destined to replace the RB-26's of that unit; and of the 30th Tactical Reconnaissance squadron of the 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, which was based at Sembach, also in Germany. On October 25th the new arrival was demonstrated to the personnel and families at Spang'. Sadly it was not the totally celebratory experience that it should have been; for on the very day of the aircraft's arrival on the base; one of the squadron's RB-26's had crashed on take off, killing all three crew members.

The RB-57As were mission ready in early 1955 and shared the workload with the RB-26s. The latter aircraft took the lion's share of the mission responsibility in Exercise Carte Blanche , which took place in June 1955; but the RB-57s participated. This exercise was designed to test the latest concepts in dispersal, tactical air control and execution of alert plans in the event of an atomic war. Before "hostilities" commenced the 30th was tasked with flying a picket line and reporting any aircraft crossing that line. After war had broken out, the RB-57s and RB-26s commenced a rigorous session of night visual and photo reconnaissance missions. The squadron completed 94 out of the 122 missions assigned to it; of which 81 were deemed successful.