GLORY DAYS // B-57 IN VIETNAM
Combat Aircraft reviews the success of the B-57 in battle over south-east Asia during the Vietnam War, as it rained down bombs with accuracy in support of ground troops.
A rare patch — the only way aircrew could earn one was to fly at least one night mission over North Vietnam.
via Warren Thompson
AMAJOR EFFORT TO find a replacement for the piston-engine Douglas B-26 Invader light bomber/ ground attack aircraft started long before the Korean War ended in 1953. In fact, by 1950 the number of B-26s in service was dwindling rapidly and figures issued by the USAF stated that they would all be gone by 1954, so something had to be done, and fast. There were several types to choose from, including the Martin XB-51, North American B-45 Tornado and North American AJ-1 Savage.
Another possibility was the English Electric Canberra bomber, which had made its maiden flight in May 1949. On February 21, 1951 it became the first jet to make a non-stop, unrefueled flight across the Atlantic Ocean when it flew from Britain to the US to be evaluated against the other potential B-26 replacements. The tests took place on February 26, 1951 and the Canberra was a clear winner.
The Glenn L. Martin …
