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At War
B-57 Canberra at war, 1964-1972
The story of the development, deployment and war record of the B-57 Canberra.
1000 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1980
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 28, 2019
A good solid overview of a workhorse machine which was under-appreciated in it's time. Interesting to read about the issues involved with the US adopting a British designed and produced aircraft. Certainly not the only time that a design stands the test of time but struggles against the stigma of being perceived as outdated while continuing to exceed the performance of more modern designs. Some amazing stories of Vietnam flight performance and pilot heroism. For the Canberra to be top ranked by Vietnam FACs as a go to platform for ordinance delivery says it all!!
February 1, 2026
Published in 1980, 'B-57 Canberra at War 1964-1972' is another volume in the 'at War' series of military aviation titles from publishers Ian Allan. This volume focuses on the B-57, the US-produced licence made version of the charismatic British EE Canberra. Much of this book concentrates on the B-57 in action over Vietnam with both the USAF and the VNAF, so there are interesting anecdotes aplenty. As usual, the text is well supported by some truly magnificent photos. Just brilliant.
August 5, 2020
The short version first . . .
I am an aviation fanatic. I have said this before, and YES, I am saying it again. This time however we are dealing with one of the two best all-time multi-purpose aircraft in existence. The first is the later example of a very successful multiple-role combat aircraft, the English Electric B-57 Canberra. Built by license agreement this particular airframe was allowed to be developed and built in the United States by The Glenn Martin Company as the Martin B-57 Canberra. The Canberra is the latest in a series of British and American aircraft bearing the same name, built by different companies with English Electric being the British originator, and Martin being the American manufacturer. Both companies developed multiple roles for their Canberra airframes.
The British variants from English Electric spanned about a half-century of varies designs with different capabilities found in each enhanced airframe. Without a doubt, the English Electric Canberra was a snappy jet to fly. Each modified Canberra were able to fly to altitudes unexpected, at speeds unmatched, over longer distances and unexplored by most other aircraft, regardless of type or manufacturer during its time in RAF service. The chief test pilot for the RAF at the time was Wing Commander Roland Belmont. The British variants were altitude, speed, and distance record breakers for the Royal Air Force from the late 1940s into the 50s, 60s, and 70s, braking existing speed and distance records. The Canberra records remained unmatched by most other aircraft in the RAF inventory as well as other variants by both manufacturers.
The American planes were built under licenses issued to Glenn Martin Aviation while the British variants were constructed by English Electric with engines being supplied by Avro and eventually by Rolls Royce and Armstrong Siddeley. The British versions flew at early as the mid- to late 1940s with the American variants to come on line during the mid- to the late 1950s. While the English Electric planes used Rolls-Royce Avon and Sapphire engines while the Martin B-57s used US engines with similar characteristics as the RAF used Commonwealth companies.
I am an aviation fanatic. I have said this before, and YES, I am saying it again. This time however we are dealing with one of the two best all-time multi-purpose aircraft in existence. The first is the later example of a very successful multiple-role combat aircraft, the English Electric B-57 Canberra. Built by license agreement this particular airframe was allowed to be developed and built in the United States by The Glenn Martin Company as the Martin B-57 Canberra. The Canberra is the latest in a series of British and American aircraft bearing the same name, built by different companies with English Electric being the British originator, and Martin being the American manufacturer. Both companies developed multiple roles for their Canberra airframes.
The British variants from English Electric spanned about a half-century of varies designs with different capabilities found in each enhanced airframe. Without a doubt, the English Electric Canberra was a snappy jet to fly. Each modified Canberra were able to fly to altitudes unexpected, at speeds unmatched, over longer distances and unexplored by most other aircraft, regardless of type or manufacturer during its time in RAF service. The chief test pilot for the RAF at the time was Wing Commander Roland Belmont. The British variants were altitude, speed, and distance record breakers for the Royal Air Force from the late 1940s into the 50s, 60s, and 70s, braking existing speed and distance records. The Canberra records remained unmatched by most other aircraft in the RAF inventory as well as other variants by both manufacturers.
The American planes were built under licenses issued to Glenn Martin Aviation while the British variants were constructed by English Electric with engines being supplied by Avro and eventually by Rolls Royce and Armstrong Siddeley. The British versions flew at early as the mid- to late 1940s with the American variants to come on line during the mid- to the late 1950s. While the English Electric planes used Rolls-Royce Avon and Sapphire engines while the Martin B-57s used US engines with similar characteristics as the RAF used Commonwealth companies.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews