Martin RB57

[PR19_Kit]

The Wyton boys never flew the RB-57, although there were rumours that the M.O.D. U.K. did have talks to buy a small number of stored RB-57F's when the PR.9 was retired.

Really?

The PR9s retired in July 2006 (I was there to see them) and that time there were only three WB-57s still flying, both under NASA's aegis. All the remaining ex-USAF RB-57s were at Davis-Monthan being used as spares soruces for the three NASA birds. While some of the NASA bird's flights subsequent to the PR9's retirement took place over Afghanistan they weren't configured for a PR type role.

The MoD stated that the PR9's tasks would be undertaken by Sentinals and '...other similar types......' but omitted to say what those types may have been.

[pyro-manic]

Drones, I would think. No money for manned, dedicated PR aircraft any more.

[Pellson]

Drones, I would think. No money for manned, dedicated PR aircraft any more.

No need either, I suppose. At least until one of these goes tits up properly and falls out of the sky at a seriously bad place..

Link: >>X-47B launches off carrier<<

[rickshaw]

Pure brilliance! 

Dunno about brilliance, sheer lunacy perhaps.  It's a bloody wide plane and it takes up a lot o' room in the display cabinet.

It's a shame that High Planes have basically discontinued so many of their Canberra models.  I really wanted to have another go at the RB-57D.   

[PR19_Kit]

Have you tried looking for the DB models vacform conversion for trh RB-57D Brian?

They seem to come up on ebay relatively frequently, maybe every couple of months. The same can't be said of the much larger RB-57Fs, I haven't seen one of those for AGES, which is odd as Mach 2 make it in hard plastic now.

[kitnut617]

Pure brilliance!  

Dunno about brilliance, sheer lunacy perhaps.  It's a bloody wide plane and it takes up a lot o' room in the display cabinet.

It's a shame that High Planes have basically discontinued so many of their Canberra models.  I really wanted to have another go at the RB-57D.  

Just been and had a look at the High Planes website Brian, you can still get the kit ---

http://www.hpmhobbies.com/products/High-Planes-Martin-RB%252d57D-Canberra--%28Kit-1%3A72%29.html

In fact they've added a new one.

http://www.hpmhobbies.com/products/High-Planes-Martin-RB%252d57D%252d2-Canberra--%28Kit-1%3A72%29.html

You did know it's under new management right ? a bunch in Singapore now own it.

[rickshaw]

Yes, I know they're under new management - have been since they moved to Singapore about 2 years ago.   He's been slowly running down his stock though and most of his Canberras have been out of production for a while.  I note the B.6 is still not available but the B-57s are.  Good Oh, I'll have to get one of each.   Still the best Canberra available (and the only bubble-top ones).   I wish he'd bring back his Sea Vixen.  AIUI it's the most accurate one around (and the only one which can be built in either version).  Just having built an old Eastern Express one, I'd welcome something that actually fits together and lines up!   

[McColm]

The Wyton boys never flew the RB-57, although there were rumours that the M.O.D. U.K. did have talks to buy a small number of stored RB-57F's when the PR.9 was retired.

Really?

The PR9s retired in July 2006 (I was there to see them) and that time there were only three WB-57s still flying, both under NASA's aegis. All the remaining ex-USAF RB-57s were at Davis-Monthan being used as spares soruces for the three NASA birds. While some of the NASA bird's flights subsequent to the PR9's retirement took place over Afghanistan they weren't configured for a PR type role.

The MoD stated that the PR9's tasks would be undertaken by Sentinals and '...other similar types......' but omitted to say what those types may have been.

I know that the Wyton boys have flown missions in the Lockheed U-2 Dragon Lady, but not the SR-71 when it was in service.