The Martin B-57B Canberra was the second version of the license-built British English Electric Canberra jet bomber/reconnaissance aircraft. Compared to the unarmed B-57A which was a complete copy of the original Canberra, the B-57B had several changes, most notably the inclusion of eight M3 Browning machine guns (and later four 20 mm M39 autocannons) as an offensive armament for strafing attack, an improved "fighter-style" cockpit that improved the pilot's visibility, a "rotary" bombing bay that improved the deployment time and accuracy of bombs, improved airbrakes, four additional hardpoints on the wings, and an addition of a radar warning receiver. These modifications proved to be a success, as it allowed the B-57B to be easily adapted into various roles, ranging from bombing to electronic warfare. In total, 202 B-57Bs were built, and served under the USAF in various roles through the Vietnam War before it was retired in 1983.
It was introduced in Update 1.47 "Big Guns". Compared to its predecessor the B-57A, the B-57B focuses more on low level ground attack and can carry large amounts of offensive external weaponry. B-57A players will rejoice upon unlocking the B-57B, as it is an improvement in almost every way, with actual offensive armament, better turn time, better payloads (including rockets and napalms), and overall versatility. Compared to the very similar Canberra B (I) Mk 6, the B-57B starts out with eight Browning machine guns mounted quite far on the wings, which results into a much worse anti-air capability, though this can be upgraded with four 20 mm M39 autocannons with an incredible rate of fire, giving it a much harder-hitting punch than its British counterpart.
Whilst a lone B-57B out in the open is an easy target for intercepting aircraft and is no match for the likes of the MiG-15 or Sabre in combat (especially with payloads), communication and coordination with teammates will allow pilots of this aircraft to effectively strike targets of strategic importance with precision and to devastating effect. Alternatively, a daring B-57B pilot may try their luck and use it as a makeshift "interceptor", not dissimilar to the French Vautour, and shred any plane below or in front of them with four blistering autocannons.
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Belt | Belt filling | Armor penetration (mm) at a distance: | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1000 m | 1500 m | 2000 m | ||
API-T/AP/AP/I | 30 | 27 | 20 | 13 | 9 | 6 | |
AP-I/AP-I/API-T/I/I | 28 | 26 | 18 | 11 | 7 | 4 | |
API-T/I/AP/AP/AP-I/AP-I | 30 | 27 | 20 | 13 | 9 | 6 | |
API-T | 28 | 26 | 18 | 11 | 7 | 4 | |
AP-I/I/AP-I/I | 28 | 26 | 18 | 11 | 7 | 4 |
Belt | Belt filling | Armor penetration (mm) at a distance: | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1000 m | 1500 m | 2000 m | ||
HEF-I/HEF-I/API-T/AP-I | 42 | 37 | 23 | 13 | 7 | 4 | |
HEF-I/API-T/AP-I | 42 | 37 | 23 | 13 | 7 | 4 | |
HEF-I/HEF-I/HEF-I/API-T/AP-I | 42 | 37 | 23 | 13 | 7 | 4 | |
API-T/AP-I/AP-I | 42 | 37 | 23 | 13 | 7 | 4 | |
HEF-I/HEF-I/HEF-I/AP-I | 42 | 37 | 23 | 13 | 7 | 4 |
Name | Weight | Slot | ||||||||
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125.6 kg | ||||||||||
242.6 kg | ||||||||||
362.4 kg | ||||||||||
500.8 kg | ||||||||||
401.4 kg | ||||||||||
21 × | 2,475.9 kg | |||||||||
9 × | 2,183.4 kg | |||||||||
4 × | 1,449.7 kg | |||||||||
4 × | 2,003 kg |
Flight performance | |
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Survivability |
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Weaponry | |||
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