Identify please

Nice models - was unaware of the other two aircraft/schemes.

The first one is Martin RB-57D 53-3973 circa 1962-3 (probably), later named "Rocinante" (derivation left as an exercise for the reader). Operated by Air Force Systems Command. Crashed 4 January 1964 due to wing failure. Used as airborne photo target.

'973 was a "-zero" (RB-57D) Group "B" aircraft (Group B had in-flight refueling receiver capability.) The ad-hoc "-zero" was used to distinguish the RB-57D from the differently configured RB-57D-1 and RB-57D-2 aircraft.

Edit: correct/add information.
 
Last edited:
aim9xray said:
... "Rocinante" (derivation left as an execise for the reader)...
Click to expand...
:D

The model on the right represents a B-57B (52-1499) employed on the same photo trials. These involved the three Canberras - the B-57B plus RB-57Ds 53-3964 and 53-3873 - flying beneath a higher-altitude weather balloon carrying the recce camera.

BTW, 53-1499 is now preserved at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Dayton Wright-Patterson AFB ... alas in Vietnam-era 8th TBS markings, not those of the photo trials.
 
From Profile 247 - The Martin B-57 Night Intruders & General Dynamics RB-57F by David A Anderton

Martin RB-57D.JPG
 
I'm pretty sure that the left horizontal stabilizer is painted in an 18% reflectance gray paint (known to photographers as the value in a standard "gray card").
 
This is the text that accompanied the image from Profile 247:

APRE.jpg

I have been collecting Aircraft Profiles since the seventies :)
 

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