English Electric Canberra
| English Electric Canberra | |
|---|---|
 Canberra PR.9 |
|
| Type: |
|
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
May 13, 1949 |
| Commissioning: |
May 1951 |
| Production time: |
1951 to 1961 |
| Number of pieces: |
1,352 |
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The English Electric Canberra was a twin-engined British fighter aircraft of the Cold War era . It belonged to the first generation of jet aircraft , was developed from 1944 as a replacement for the de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito and was put into service by the Royal Air Force in 1951 . Examples of the US Air Force manufactured under license in the USA are known as the Martin B-57 .
description
A total of 1,352 Canberras were produced, including 403 B-57s and 48 aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force . The first British squadron was the 101st Squadron in RAF Binbrook from May 1951 and the 149th Squadron in RAF Gütersloh was the first in the area of RAF Germany from August 1954 . In 1955 there were 35 active Canberra bomber squadrons in the RAF, and Canberras were stationed with RAF Germany until the early 1970s.
Different versions have been exported to Argentina , Canada , Chile , Ecuador , Ethiopia , France , India , New Zealand , Pakistan , Peru , Rhodesia , South Africa , Sweden , Venezuela and West Germany . The Royal Air Force Germany flew to Canberra for about two decades. In the German Bundeswehr from 1963 to 1993 three copies were used at the Office for Military Geosystems for image flights . On June 23, 2006, the last of the RAF Canberras were officially decommissioned after 55 years.
The aircraft was originally used as a light bomber and later as a photo reconnaissance aircraft. In the USAF , the B-57 was used as the successor to the B-26 Invader , including as the Martin B-57G ground attack aircraft in the Vietnam War . Other missions took place during the Suez Crisis in 1956 and in the Malay Civil War by the RAF as well as in the wars between Ethiopia and Eritrea or Somalia, in the Indo-Pakistani wars and in the "Bush Wars" of Rhodesia and South Africa. A version modified for high altitude use set a world record for altitude of 21,430 m in 1957 and served the USAF on spy flights over China and the Soviet Union before the Lockheed U-2 was put into service .
The Martin B-57G got a special status. For attacks to interrupt the supply traffic on the Ho Chi Minh Trail , 16 night intruders B-57G were converted and provided with a closed "night attack package" in the heavily modified bulbous nose. Developed by Westinghouse , this package included forward search radar , FLIR , a low-level video recorder, and laser range finder and target lock finder.
Eleven of these aircraft were delivered to the 13th bomber squadron at the Ubon Air Force Base in Thailand from September 1970 and proved to be extremely successful in Operation Tropic Moon III. As soon as the target was discovered and recorded by the sensors, the distance was determined by a laser system and the target was marked so that a 227 kg bomb from the Paveway I series could take a course for it with great accuracy. With this package, the Martin B-57 was finally able to fulfill the function of a “night intruder”.
As part of the “Pave Gat” program, at least one B-57G was equipped with the three- barreled 20 mm XM197 gun on an adjustable device (in the area of the bomb bay ) in order to use it as a “ gunship ”. The tests were successful, but the machine was never used in Vietnam .
Versions
United Kingdom
The following series of Canberra were developed for the air forces of the United Kingdom and some other countries . Some were also stationed in Germany, particularly with the Royal Air Force Germany (RAF Germany) . (See also the information on the British aircraft designation system ).
- Canberra B.Mk.1
- Four pre-series machines.
- Canberra B.Mk.2
- First production model, three crew members, two Avon RA-3 engines with 2945 kp each. Fuel tanks at the wing tips. On May 25, 1951, the first copy went to No. 101 Squadron in Binbrook, Lincolnshire. 418 copies including 8 for export to Australia, Venezuela and the United States.
- Canberra PR.Mk.3
- Photo reconnaissance aircraft, the model was derived from the B.Mk.2. 37 copies.
- Canberra T.Mk.4
- Trainer, this series was derived from the B.Mk.2. The aircraft was equipped with double controls and a seat for the navigator. 67 copies.
- Canberra B.Mk.5
- Target marking version of the B.Mk.2 with Avon RA7 engines. The aircraft received a fixed bow and a flat console for bombardiers. A prototype.
- Canberra B.Mk. 6
- Second generation production model. The hull was lengthened by 0.3 meters and the fuel capacity increased. Two Avon 109 engines each with 3357 kp thrust. A gun container with four 20 mm automatic cannons could be carried. 106 copies.
- Canberra B.Mk.6 (RC)
- Specialized ELINT version with longer nose and blue shadow side view radar. 4 copies.
- Canberra B (I) .Mk.6
- Preliminary night fighter-bomber version of the B.Mk.6. A lower hull weapon container and under wing weapons. 22 copies.
- Canberra PR.Mk.7
- Photo reconnaissance aircraft with PR.3 equipment and Avon 109 engines derived from the B.Mk.6. 75 copies.
- Canberra B (I) .Mk.8
- Third generation production model, derived from the B (I) .Mk.6. The aircraft could be used as a long-range night fighter-bomber, high-altitude bomber or target marker. Pulpit on the port side of the hull. The crew consisted of only two people: pilot and navigator / bombardier. A gun container with four 20 mm British Hispano automatic cannons could be carried. A load station was located under each wing to accommodate a bomb weighing up to 1000 lb (454 kilograms) or to accommodate unguided missiles. The first flight was on July 23, 1954. 73 copies (1 converted B.Mk.5 / prototype, 2 converted B.Mk.2, the rest newly built, 17 were exported).
- Canberra PR.Mk.9
- Altitude reconnaissance aircraft, the version was from the B (I). Mk.8 derived. Hull extended to 27.72 meters. Wingspan widened by 1.22 meters. Two Avon 206 engines with 4990 kp each. The first flight was on July 8, 1955. A converted prototype and another 23 copies.
- Canberra U.Mk.10
Unmanned target marking aircraft. 18 converted B.Mk.2.
- Canberra T.Mk.11
- Trainer, the aircraft was converted from the B.Mk.2. In addition to a two-man crew, there were two places for training pilots and navigators for all-weather combat aircraft with AI radar. The AI / 17 radar was installed in the bow. 9 converted B.Mk.2.
- Canberra B (I) .Mk.12
Conversion of the B (I) .Mk.8. 10 aircraft were converted for the RNZAF and 6 aircraft for the SAAF .
- Canberra T.Mk.13
- Execution of the T.Mk 4 for the RNZAF. 1 rebuilt T.Mk.4 and a new copy.
- Canberra B.Mk.15
- Conversion of the B.Mk.6 for the Far East Air Force and use in the Middle East. Under-wing devices for two 454 kg bombs or unguided rocket bundles. The navigation and communication equipment was modernized. 38 copies.
- Canberra E.Mk.15
- With electronic equipment for calibration.
- Canberra B.Mk.16
- Like B.Mk.15 for RAF Germany with additional equipment (Blue Shadow). 20 copies.
- Canberra T.Mk.17 / T.Mk.17A
- Electronic Interference Measures (ECM) trainer. 24 converted B.Mk.2
- Canberra TT.Mk.18
- Target tow variant for target practice of the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) of the Royal Navy . 22 converted B.Mk.2.
- Canberra T.Mk.19
- Trainer, converted T.Mk.11.
The following series were created for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), the air force of the large South Pacific Commonwealth of Nations:
- Canberra B.Mk.20
- Licensed construction of the B.Mk.2 with additional wing tanks in Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The Avon 109 engines were also made in Australia. 48 copies.
- Canberra T.Mk.21
- Conversion to trainer of the RAAF. In Australia two B.Mk.2 and five B.Mk.20 were converted.
- Canberra T.Mk.22
- Radar trainer for the FAA's Blackburn Buccaneer . 7 converted PR.Mk.7
The following versions were intended for export only:
- Canberra B.Mk.52
- Export version for the Ethiopian armed forces. 4 converted B.Mk.2.
- Canberra B (I) .Mk.56
- Export version for the Fuerza Aérea del Perú (FAP). 10 converted B (I) .Mk.6.
- Canberra PR.Mk.57
- Tropicalized export version of the PR.Mk.7 for the Indian Air Force (IAF). 10 copies.
- Canberra B (I) .Mk.58
- Tropical version of the B (I) .Mk.8 for the IAF. 71 copies.
- Canberra B.Mk.62
- Export version for the Fuerza Aérea Argentina (FAA). 10 converted B.Mk.2.
- Canberra T.Mk.64
- Export version for the FAA. 2 converted T.Mk.4.
- Canberra B (I) .Mk.66
- Export version for the IAF. 10 converted B (I) .Mk.6.
- Canberra PR.Mk.67
- Export version for the IAF. 2 converted PR.Mk.7.
- Canberra B (I) .Mk.68
- Export version for the FAP. 1 converted B (I) .Mk.8.
- Canberra b / B (I) .Mk.82
- Export version for the Fuerza Aérea Venezolana (FAV).
- Canberra PR.Mk.83
- Export version for the FAV.
- Canberra T.Mk.84
- Export version for the FAV.
- Canberra B (I) .Mk.88
- Export version for the FAV.
- Canberra B.Mk.92
- Export version for the FAA, 1 converted B.Mk.2, not delivered due to the embargo due to the Falklands War .
- Canberra T.Mk.94
- Export version for the FAA, 1 converted T.Mk.4, also not delivered for the same reason.
United States of America
- Martin B-57A
- Licensed version of the B.Mk.2., But propelled by two Wright J65 W-1 engines. 8 copies.
- Martin RB-57A
- Like B-57A, but with cameras behind the bomb station. 67 copies.
- Martin B-57B
- Further development of the B-57A for tactical night operations. Two tandem seats, eight machine guns and four automatic cannons, rotary bomb bay doors and wing pylons for bombs or missiles. 202 copies.
- Martin RB-57B
- Converted B-57B with camera equipment.
- Martin EB-57B
- Modified B-57B with ECM equipment.
- Martin B-57C
- Like B-57B, but with double controls. 38 copies.
- Martin RB-57D
- Strategic scout for great heights. Larger wingspan and two Pratt & Whitney J57 engines. 20 copies.
- Martin EB-57D
- Conversion of RB-57D with ECM equipment.
- Martin RB-57F
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- B-57B and B-57D were converted for reconnaissance flights at high altitudes at General Dynamics . The wingspan was increased to 37.19 meters. Two Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-11 with 8165 kp thrust each and two Pratt & Whitney J60-P-9 with 1497 kp thrust each. 21 copies.
- Martin B-57E
- Like B-57B, but with target towing equipment. 68 copies.
- Martin EB-57E
- Converted B-57E with ECM equipment.
- Martin B-57G
- Converted B-57B with special sensors for night fighter-bomber operations.
US production
The B-57 was built in series at Martin, Omaha.
Approval of the B-57 by the USAF:
| version | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-57A | 8th | 8th | ||||
| B-57B | 54 | 118 | 30th | 202 | ||
| B-57C | 36 | 2 | 38 | |||
| B-57E | 59 | 9 | 68 | |||
| RB-57A | 15th | 52 | 67 | |||
| RB-57D | 1 | 14th | 5 | 20th | ||
| TOTAL | 23 | 106 | 155 | 105 | 14th | 403 |
Conversion of the B-57 after fiscal years:
| version | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | total | Remodeling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-57B | 4th | 15th | 19th | RB-57B, EB-57B | ||||||||||||||
| B-57C | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | RB-57C, TB-57C | |||||||||||||
| B-57E | 1 | 1 | 2 | RB-57E, EB-57E | ||||||||||||||
| B-57G | 2 | 8th | 6th | 16 | B-57B | |||||||||||||
| EB-57A | 12 | 12 | RB-57A | |||||||||||||||
| EB-57B | 22nd | 22nd | B-57B, RB-57B | |||||||||||||||
| EB-57D | 7th | 2 | 9 | RB-57D | ||||||||||||||
| EB-57E | 28 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 33 | B-57E, RB-57E, TB-57E | |||||||||||
| RB-57A | 1 | 1 | 2 | B-57A | ||||||||||||||
| RB-57B | 14th | 8th | 2 | 24 | B-57B | |||||||||||||
| RB-57C | 6th | 8th | 1 | 15th | B-57C, RB-57B, TB-57C | |||||||||||||
| RB-57E | 4th | 4th | 2 | 2 | 1 | 13 | B-57B, B-57E, EB-57E, TB-57E | |||||||||||
| RB-57F | 3 | 12 | 4th | 3 | 22nd | B-57B, RB-57B, RB-57A | ||||||||||||
| TB-57C | 1 | 5 | 1 | 7th | B-57B | |||||||||||||
| TB-57E | 31 | 1 | 32 | |||||||||||||||
| WB-57C | 5 | 5 | RB-57C | |||||||||||||||
| 19th | 19th | RB-57F | ||||||||||||||||
| total | 1 | 5 | 2 | 24 | 0 | 35 | 18th | 3 | 18th | 57 | 45 | 5 | 4th | 9 | 7th | 24 | 257 |
(FY = Fiscal Year. The FY 1957 ran from July 1, 1956 to June 30, 1957.)
The B-57 had a high accident rate. 84 B-57, 34 RB-57 / EB-57 and 4 TB-57 were lost in accidents between 1953 and 1971. In addition, there were 10 aircraft between 1972 and 1976, which were no longer classified according to function in the statistics, so a total of 132 aircraft. In Vietnam, the USAF lost 47 aircraft, including 40 B-57s, 5 RB-57s and 2 EB-57s.
Technical specifications
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| Parameter | Data (B (I) .Mk 58) | (Martin B-57G Canberra) |
|---|---|---|
| Usage | two-seat light bomber | two-seat night sturgeon bomber |
| length | 19.96 m | |
| span | 19.31 m | 19.51 m |
| height | 4.74 m | |
| Wing area | 89.50 m² | |
| Wing extension | 4.2 | |
| Empty mass | 10,519 kg | |
| Takeoff mass | normal 21,319 kg maximum 23,234 kg |
maximum 24,948 kg |
| drive | two Rolls-Royce Avon -109- jet engines , each with 3,402 kp thrust | two Wright J65 -W-5 turbojets each with 3,266 kg of thrust |
| Marching speed | 650 km / h | |
| Top speed | 821 km / h at sea level 901 km / h at 12,200 m altitude |
937 km / h |
| Initial rate of climb | 18.3 m / s | |
| Service ceiling | 14,630 m | |
| Range | 1,300 km | |
| Transfer range | 5,792 km | |
Armament
External loads
Explosive ordnance up to 908 kg at two external load stations under the wings
Air-to-ground missile:
- 2 × Aérospatiale AS.30 "Noras" (radio remote controlled)
Unguided bombs:
- 2 × Royal Ordnance GP Mk. IV (1,000 lb / 454 kg free-fall bomb )
- 4 × Royal Ordnance GP Mk. V (500 lb / 227 kg free-fall bomb)
Unguided air-to-surface missiles:
- 2 × MATRA 155 tubular launch rocket container for 18 × unguided SNEB (TDA) air-to-surface missiles, caliber 68 mm
- 2 × rocket tube launch containers for 37 × awkward Microcell 2 "air-to-surface rockets, caliber 51 mm
- 16 × High Velocity Aircraft Rocket (HVAR) "Holy Moses" unguided air-to-ground missile, 127 mm caliber
Additional container:
- 2 × machine gun cases with 1 × 7.62 mm machine gun
- 2 × Flight Refueling LTD Rushton Whinch (tow target container)
- 2 disposable additional tanks for kerosene
Bomb bay
Explosive ordnance up to 2722 kg in a central internal weapons bay
Unguided bombs:
- 9 × Royal Ordnance GP Mk. V (500 lb / 227 kg free-fall bomb)
- 6 × Royal Ordnance GP Mk. IV (1000 lb / 454 kg free-fall bomb)
- 1 × Royal Ordnance MC Mk. II (4000-lb. free-fall bomb)
- 1 × Mk.7 "Thor" (nuclear free-fall bomb with 61 kt explosive device)
- 1 × B28 (nuclear free-fall bomb with 1.45 MT explosive device)
- 1 × B43 (nuclear free-fall bomb with 1 MT explosive device)
- 1 × B57 (nuclear free-fall bomb with 20 kT explosive device)
- 1 × "Red Beard" Bomb Aircraft HE 2000 lb MC Mk.2 No.2 (nuclear free-fall bomb with 15 kt explosive device)
- 1 × WE.177 (nuclear free-fall bomb with 400 kt explosive device)
Additional container:
- Cannon hull with 4 × 20 mm Hispano-Suiza Mk.V automatic cannons with 500 rounds of ammunition each
Users
English Electric Canberra
-
Ethiopia
- Ethiopian Air Force , 4 B.Mk.52
-
Argentina
- Fuerza Aérea Argentina (FAA), 10 B.62 and 2 B.64
-
Australia
- Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), 3 B.2, 48 B.20, 7 T.21
-
Chile
- Fuerza Aérea de Chile (FACh), 3 PR.9
-
Germany
- Air Force , 3 B.2
-
Ecuador
- Fuerza Aérea Ecuatoriana (FAE), 6 B.2
-
France
- Armée de l'air , 6
-
India
- Indian Air Force (IAF), 107 (including 9 T.4, 2 T.13, 10 PR.57, 65 B (I) .58, 2 PR.67)
-
New Zealand
- Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), 17 B.2, 3 T.4, 9 B (I) .12, 2 T.13
-
Peru
- Fuerza Aérea del Perú , 60 (including 10 B (I) .56, 1 B (I) .68)
-
Rhodesia
- Royal Rhodesian Air Force , 16 B.2, 4 T.4
-
Sweden
- Flygvapnet , 2
-
South Africa
- South African Air Force (SAAF), 9 (including 12)
-
Venezuela
- Fuerza Aérea Venezolana (FAV), 46 (PR.3, 1 T.4, B.2, B.82, 13 B (I) 82, 3 PR.83, T.84, 4 B (I) 88)
-
United Kingdom
- Royal Air Force , 782
- Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm , 69
- Royal Aircraft Establishment / DERA, RAE Bedford, DERA Llanbder
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Martin B-57
-
Pakistan
- Pakistani Air Force
-
Taiwan
- Air Force of the Republic of China
-
United States
- United States Air Force (USAF)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Station locations in Germany
-
Federal Office for Defense Technology and Procurement or Air Force
- Manching Air Base , 1966 to 1993, Canberra B.2 ( Wehrtechnische Dienststelle 61 )
-
2nd Tactical Air Force / Royal Air Force Germany , the B.2 squadrons in Gütersloh were not subordinate to the 2nd Tactical Air Force, but directly to the Bomber Command .
- RAF Ahlhorn , February 1953 to October 1953, Canberra B.2 ( Tactical Development Unit ), September 1955 to August 1957, Canberra B (I) .6 ( 213rd Squadron )
- RAF Brüggen , June 1957 to December 1969, Canberra B (I) .6 / PR.7 ( 80th and 213rd Squadron )
- RAF Geilenkirchen , November 1957 to January 1968, Canberra B (I) .8 ( 3rd and 59th Squadron )
- RAF Gütersloh , September 1954 to August 1956, Canberra B.2 ( 102nd , 103rd , 104th and 149th Squadron ), September 1956 to November 1957, Canberra B (I) .8 ( 59th Squadron )
- RAF Laarbruch , March 1955 to June 1972, Canberra PR.7 / B (I) .8 ( 16th , 31st , 80th and 214th Squadron )
- RAF Wahn , June 1956 to April 1957, Canberra PR.7 ( 17th Squadron )
- RAF Wildenrath , June 1955 to June 1970, Canberra PR.7 / B (I) .8 ( 14th , 17th and 88th Squadron )
-
United States Air Forces in Europe , the B-57C were used in small numbers for training purposes.
- Sembach Air Base , November 1955 to October 1957, RB-57A / B-57C ( 30th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron / 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing )
- Spangdahlem Air Base , October 1954 to November 1957, RB-57A / B-57C (1st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron / 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing)
Specimens preserved in Germany
All three machines used by the Bundeswehr have been preserved in museums. The aircraft with the Air Force registration number 99 + 34 is exhibited in the International Aircraft Museum in Villingen-Schwenningen , the 99 + 35 can be seen in the Military History Museum at Berlin-Gatow Airfield and the 99 + 36 in the Sinsheim Technology Museum .
See also
literature
- Heiko Thiesler: Canberra is turning 70. In: FlugRevue , No. 11/2019, pp. 50–53
Web links
- Canberra squadrons of the Royal Air Force Germany
- Information on the B / RB-57A / C at the United States Air Forces Europe
Individual evidence
- ↑ Statistical Digest of the USAF 1953 , pp. 185 f .; 1954, pp. 70 f .; 1955, p. 80 f .; 1956, p. 91 f .; 1957, p. 97 f.
- ↑ Statistical Digest of the USAF 1957–1972 , table "Gains and Losses"
- ↑ Statistical Digest of the USAF 1953-1976 , table "Gains and Losses". In contrast, Chris Hobson: Vietnam Air Losses, Hersham 2001, lists a total of 58 operational losses, including 56 B-57 and 2 RB-57.
- ↑ https://www.flugzeug-bild.de/name/galerie/ategorie/militaer~germany~air-force/digitalfotografie/24.html
- ↑ https://www.vdi-nachrichten.com/technik/britischer-duesenbomber-leuchtet-wieder-in-gatow/
