The Martin B-57 Canberra is one of the most operationally diverse jet aircraft in USAF history — a British design reborn in American hands, then progressively transformed into a high-altitude reconnaissance and atmospheric research platform of extraordinary capability. Online Aviation Library has assembled the surviving primary-source technical documentation spanning the full B-57 family, from the original tactical bomber variants through the radical wing-redesign programs of the RB-57D and RB-57F.

What This Collection Covers

Flight Handbooks & Performance Data

Standardized operational data compiled into USAF Technical Orders (T.O.s) — the primary source of truth for aircraft performance variables across the B-57 family:

• T.O. 1B-57B-1 — Flight Handbook, USAF Series B-57B Aircraft (2 July 1956, Revised 2 May 1957)
• T.O. 1B-57C-1 — Flight Handbook, USAF Series B-57C Aircraft (1 August 1956, Revised 1 February 1957) — takeoff/landing charts, approach speeds, emergency checklists
• T.O. 1B-57E-1 — Flight Handbook, USAF Series B-57E Aircraft (15 April 1956, Preliminary) — complete at time of issue with no outstanding safety of flight supplements
• T.O. 1B-57(R)A-1 — Flight Handbook, USAF Series RB-57A Aircraft (1 April 1956, Revised 1 October 1956)
• T.O. 1B-57(R)F-1 — Flight Manual, RB-57F USAF Series Aircraft (2 September 1966, Change 8 — 1 February 1971) — extended performance charts for operations above 60,000 feet
• T.O. 1B-57(R)F-1 (NASA Partial) — Partial Flight Manual (NASA), RB-57F, applicable to AF63-13501 (6 June 1969, Changed 18 February 1972)
• T.O. 1B-57G-1 — Flight Manual, USAF Series B-57G Aircraft (1 June 1970, Change 3 — 16 March 1973)
• T.O. 1B-57B-34-1-1 — Aircrew Nonnuclear Weapons Delivery Manual, B-57B/C/E (17 July 1969) — aerodynamic stability envelopes during internal rotary bomb door deployment

Manufacturer Piloting Notes

• B-57 Piloting Notes — The Glenn L. Martin Company, Baltimore, Maryland (S/N 55-0109X, August 1952; declassified 18 May 1955) — original manufacturer's piloting notes, formerly classified Confidential

Utility Flight Manuals & Reconnaissance Variants

• T.O. 1B-57(R)D(II)-1 — Utility Flight Manual, USAF Series RB-57D-2 Aircraft (13 September 1958, Changed 8 April 1960) — includes Safety of Flight Supplements 1J, 1L, 1N, 1P, and 1R

Special Equipment Operator's Instructions

• T.O. 1B-57(R)F-1-5 — Handbook: Special Equipment Operator's Instructions, RB-57F USAF Series Aircraft, applicable to AF63-13286 thru AF63-13302 (2 September 1966, Changed 2 August 1968) — replaces classified T.O. 1B-57(R)F-1-4 dated 6 August 1965

Aerodynamic & Handling Studies

The transition from the original English Electric design to the license-built Glenn L. Martin variants required extensive airframe testing, particularly regarding wing-stretching programs for high-altitude reconnaissance:

• NASA/NACA technical memorandums evaluating high-altitude turbulence, clear-air friction, and aerodynamic loads — including data from Langley-sponsored mountain wave and jet stream tests
• Wing-flex and structural load reports tracking the response and flexibility of the long-span honeycombed wings engineered for the RB-57D (~106 ft span) and General Dynamics RB-57F (~122 ft span)
• Early USAF handling and stability evaluations analyzing lateral control responsiveness, pitch dynamics during weapon releases, and low-speed approach characteristics

Engine Technical Notes

The B-57 series departed from British Avon engines, adopting license-built Wright J65 turbojets — and eventually turbofans on later variants — which demanded distinct engineering documentation:

• Wright J65 operating notes covering thrust metrics (7,220 lbf per engine), fuel-flow optimization, and compressor stall boundaries across varying pressure altitudes
• Project Bee documentation: historically significant NASA archives detailing the 1957 flight-test program of a modified B-57B operating on liquid hydrogen — including transitional performance data when switching mid-flight from JP-4 to gaseous/liquid hydrogen

Engineering Bulletins & Structural Modifications

As the B-57 transitioned from active tactical bombing into specialized platforms, structural engineering bulletins were continually distributed to operators:

• Rivet Chip Program files: payload configurations, sensor layouts, and electrical balance revisions for the Atomic Energy Commission and Air Weather Service
• Wing spar re-engineering bulletins: documenting the severe fatigue programs of the late 1950s–1960s that ultimately led to the clean-sheet wing redesigns carried out by General Dynamics
• NASA Flight Operations Manuals: active updates curated by the flight operations division at Ellington Field (Houston) to maintain airworthiness for the remaining flying WB-57 science platforms

Document Manifest

⚠️ Regulatory Notice: Under FAA 14 CFR § 43.13 and EASA Part-M, any mechanic performing maintenance on an active aircraft must use current, manufacturer-approved revision-controlled data. This archival document does not satisfy that requirement.

This is an archival, static-copy edition fixed at its original publication date. Intended for historical reference, flight simulation, museum restoration, and educational use only. Not approved for active airworthiness maintenance under FAA 14 CFR § 43.13, EASA Part-M, or equivalent international regulations. Operators of active aircraft must use current, revision-controlled publications from the Type Certificate holder or an authorized distributor.

Living Collections with Free Lifetime Updates – Please review our Legal Notice and Export Notice before purchasing.