Martin RB-57D

The MARTIN COMPANY entered their re-designed and re-engined B-57 medium bomber into a competition for achieving a very high altitude reconnaissance aircraft capable of penetrating areas of the world where intelligence was denied United States strategic planners and those of our allies. It would be chosen as an interium solution until the ultimate winner of the competition, the Lockheed U-2 could be made ready.

Making it first flight in November 1955, at the Martin Plant near Baltimore, 20 of these aircraft would be built in four different configurations. The first six would be single seat aircraft that were non-refuelable. Seven would be air refuelable, one would be dedicated to Side Looking Radar system, and six would be dedicated electronic ferrets with two seats (1 for the Electronic Warfare Officer). All of these aircraft would be assigned to the 4025th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron with initial basing at Lockbourne AFB, shortly moved to Albany, Georgia, and by early 1957, moved with the 4080th SRW to Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. From 1957 to 1960, the aircraft operated on a global scale in multiple operations. They participated in the Special Weapons testing in the Pacific by sampling the nuclear debris and gases suspended in the atmosphere after detonation; flew photographic, electronic, and mapping missions over and around denied territorries; and conducted very high altitude research. At least two of the RB-57Ds were bailed to the RoCAF for intelligence gathering over the Peoples Republic of China. The first casualty by a Surface to Air Missile was one of these aircraft along with the pilot. The last United States military overflights of denied territory took place in December, 1956, when three RB-57Ds overflew Valdivostock and several inland airfields prior to returning to international airspace. By 1960, the wing-spars began to fail (one at Laughlin AFB, one at Kirtland AFB, and one airborne of Columbus Ohio) and the 4025th SRS was temporarily stood down and its aircraft placed into storage in Arizona. Some would be re-built and serve again and four would be re-built as the RB-57F models, at least two of which are still with the NASA.

RB-57D

Crew: Pilot only or with EWO in six A/C

Wing Span: 106 feet

Length:

Weight:

Engines: Pratt and Whitney J-57-P-9 (two)

Altitude: Above 60,000 feet (11.36 miles)

MARTIN RB-57D
(20 BUILT)
(9 MODIFIED AS 272N)
(4 RE-BUILT AS 272P)

272D            RB-57D-1     53-3977     Miss Acuna
272D    RB-57D-1     53-3978     PePe La Pew
272D            RB-57D-1 53-3979 Cloud Chaser
272D    RB-57D-1     53-3980     Old Dusty
272D            RB-57D-1     53-3981
272D            RB-57D-1     53-3982 Queen City
272D/N/P     RB-57D-2 53-3970     ARS Capable
272D            RB-57D-2 53-3971     ARS Capable
272D/N/P RB-57D-2 53-3972 ARS Capable
272D    RB-57D-2     53-3973 ARS Capable
272D    RB-57D-2     53-3974 ARS Capable
272D    RB-57D-2     53-3975 ARS Capable
272D    RB-57D-2 53-3976     ARS Capable
272D    RB-57D-3 53-3963 SLAR
272D/N        RB-57D-4     53-3964 ELINT
272D/N        RB-57D-4     53-3965     ELINT
272D/N        RB-47D-4     53-3966     ELINT
272D    RB-57D-4 53-3967 ELINT
272D    RB-57D-4     53-3968     ELINT
272D            RB-57D-4     53-3969     ELINT

                                   NOTES:

272N            EB-57D
272P             RB-57F

RB-57D-1 sometimes referred to as RB-57D
RB-57D-2 sometimes referred to as RB-57D-O
RB-57D-3 sometimes referred to as RB-57D-1
RB-57D-4 sometimes referred to as RB-57D-2

                     MARTIN RB-57C
                                 (3 BUILT)

272C             RB-57C     53-3831
272C             RB-57C     53-4831
272C             RB-57C     53-4832

                                           Sources:
                                                     LHF Archives
           Martin Aircraft 1909 -1960 Pages 176 – 185 ISBN: 0-913322-03-02

BACK TO RB-57D GALLERY

BACK TO GALLERIES INDEX