Martin 272
The Martin RB-57F was a high-altitude reconnaissance development of the Canberra bomber, fitted with huge wings and more powerful engines. NASA later acquired two as the WB-57, using them as flying laboratories and high-altitude relay platforms. They can carry instruments above most weather and remain among the few 1950s jet designs still flying active missions. The exceptionally long wing is the clearest visual difference from a normal Canberra.
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Did you know?
The WB-57's exceptionally long wings, added for high-altitude reconnaissance, are the clearest visual difference from a standard Canberra bomber.
Specifications
| Length | 20 m (66 ft) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 37.2 m (122 ft) |
| Height | 4.9 m (16 ft) |
| Crew | 2 |
| Range | 2,500 NM (4,630 km) |
| Maximum speed | 500 kt (926 km/h) |
| Service ceiling | 60,000 ft (18,288 m) |
| Rate of climb | 6,000 ft/min (30.5 m/s) |
| Take-off distance | 792 m (2,598 ft) |
| Engines | 2x Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-11A |
| Units built | 21 |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
In CatchFlights
In CatchFlights the Martin 272 starts as a Legendary catch. The tier is an editorial judgement of how special a sighting of this type is. The more often you catch it, the closer it moves to Common for you. The first catch of a legendary type pays a bonus of its own.
A catch counts for the manufacturer Martin, the 272 family and the model in your collection, and the daily Type Rating quiz asks about the types of each family.
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