Under the USAF designation B-57 the Martin Company built 403. The Canberra has been supplied to many air forces, has been licence-built in Australia, and has the distinction of being the only modern aircraft of British design to be licence-built in the USA. Other RAF Canberras included T.4/11/17 and 19 trainers and the target-towing TT.18. The PR.3 (based on the B.2) first flew on 19 March 1950 and was followed by the PR.7 (similar to the B.6) and the high-altitude PR.9. Performance was such that it was logical to develop photo-reconnaissance versions. Subsequent variants included: the B.6 bomber with 32.92kN Avon 109 the B(I).6 intruder variant B(I).8 two-seat long-range night interdictor or high-altitude bomber, built also as the B(I).58 for India and B(I).12 for New Zealand and South Africa a conversion of the B.6 with additional underwing hardpoints for weapons, designated B.15 and a generally similar B.16 with more radar equipment. These aircraft were unarmed, relying (as had the war-time de Havilland Mosquito) on being able to show their opponents a 'clean pair of heels'.
Canberras entered RAF service with No 101 Squadron at RAF Binbrook in May 1951. Of mid-wing monoplane configuration, these aircraft were powered by two 28.91kN Rolls-Royce Avon 101 engines and could carry internally 2,722kg of conventional or nuclear weapons. But although the four prototypes were built to this configuration, the first production Canberra B.2 carried a crew of three and were configured for visual bombing. The original intention had been to produce a two-crew aircraft which would rely upon radar for the accurate delivery of its bomb load. Thus, it was not until Air Ministry Specification B.3/45 was issued that the English Electric Company was able to design and build Britain's first turbojet-powered bomber -the first such aircraft to serve with the RAF. Virtual Aircraft Museum / United Kingdom / BACĮarly developments of the turbojet engine, with then very limited power output, restricted somewhat the size and type of aircraft able to take advantage of this new power plant.
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