Martin B-57C

Last revised June 21, 2000


The B-57C was a dual-control trainer version of the B-57B. It differed from the B only in having rear cockpit flight controls and instruments.

Development of a dual-control B-57B was the result of an Air Training Command proposal in February of 1953. Reduction of the B-57B program in favor of a dual control version (initially designated TB-57B) was officially approved in April of 1954. At first, 34 of the B-57Bs on the fiscal year 1953 program were to be modified on the production line, but the total was soon raised to 38. Purchase of an additional 26 dual-control TB-57Bs was approved for fiscal year 1955. In August of 1954, the 26-aircraft order was cancelled and the designation of the dual-control TB-57B was changed to B-57C.

The first B-57C took off on its maiden flight on December 30, 1954. Four B-57Cs were initially allocated to a unit Air Training Command to support the B-57B training effort. All the other B-57Cs went straight to the tactical units. On the average, 2 out of every 18 aircraft in a B-57B squadron were B-57Cs. The last B-57C left the production line in May of 1956. A total of 38 were built.

A small number of number of B-57Cs were later re-equipped and redesignated as RB-57C for service alongside RB-57As when the latter were issued to ANG units.

Serials of B-57C:

53-3825/3858		Martin B-57C-MA
				3831 converted to RB-57C.  To MASDC 1981.
				3832 converted to WB-57C
				3834 to Pakistan.				
				
				3840 converted to EB-57C.
				3841 Converted to RB-57C
				3842 converted to RB-57C then to WB-57C.  
				3844 converted to WB-57C
				3846 to Pakistan 1959.
				3850 converted to WB-57C. 
				3851 converted to WB-57C. 
53-3936			Martin B-57C
53-3940			Martin B-57C
53-3944			Martin B-57C
				converted to WB-57C.
53-3948			Martin B-57C

Sources:


  1. American Combat Planes, Third Enlarged Edition, Ray Wagner, Doubleday, 1982.

  2. Post World War II Bombers, Marcelle Size Knaack, Office of Air Force History, 1988.

  3. Martin B-57 Canberra--The Complete Record, Robert C. Mikesh, Schiffer Military/Aviation History, 1995.

  4. Canberra: The Operational Record, Robert Jackson, Smithsonian Institution Press, 1989.

  5. The English Electric Canberra Mk.1 and IV, K. Munson, Aircraft In Profile, Doubleday, 1969

  6. United States Military Aircraft Since 1909, Gordon Swanborough and Peter M. Bowers, Smithsonian, 1989.