The
Canberra was designed by English Electric as a medium bomber
to replace the outstanding de Havilland Mosquito. The
prototype first flew in 1949.
When the Korean War began in June 1950, the U.S. Air Force looked for a jet
replacement for the Douglas B-26 Invader. The English Electric Canberra
was selected with Martin as the prime contractor for production.
The Canberra saw service in Vietnam in bomber and electronic reconnaissance
missions. Other Canberras were also used as weather aircraft and (with
larger wings) for high altitude reconnaissance. The B-57 was withdrawn
from combat by 1971 although used by Air National Guard units into the early
1980's.
The last versions of the B-57 Canberra were
conversions made by General Dynamics.
