Martin RB-57F

Doug Perry, e-mail, 19.12.2009 18:28 I saw a RB-57F fly low and slow over my house yesterday. Thought it might be a U2 but the wings were too thick. Had no idea what it was so I researched online and found the it to be the RB-57F. I live on the flight path of the Norfolk Naval Air Station. One online source states that they are now used on "geological survey" missions in Afganistan. There were no markings visible from my perspective. reply

Steve Gulko, e-mail, 16.12.2009 15:47 I was a airframe repairman assigned to Yokota Air Base 65,66,and 67. I was in 6220 Camrom, 41st AD. I was one of the tin benders working on the green birds. 501, 502, and 503. We were not air sampling. I am looking for anyone attached to those a /c at that time. Thank you I am also lookin gfor a picture of the radome art of the big nosed cobra in sunglasses named everette. I helped Bob Brandt paint that on when we were tdy to Thailand reply

Emmet Cook, e-mail, 16.12.2009 01:28 Hello CMS Davis. I worked for you on the Flight Line. I arrived out of Tech School in Jan 69 and was dischared in Aug 1972. I crewed 295 for about a year before being transferred to Docks. I remember Jim Janeway and Pat Pastori, Chief Houghton. In 2006 Pat Horton, Gary Christian, Frank Marquez and I met in Alq for a reunion. We had a great time and would like to do it again maybe 2011. Would you be interested? After I got out I went back to college and then joined the Army and retired 20 years later as a LTC. Hope to hear from you. I am fully retired and living in San Antonio, Tx. reply

CMS Denis C Davis (RET), e-mail, 11.12.2009 22:18 I was assigned to the 58th WRS from September 1968-July 1973.My first job was Crew Chief on aircraft 63-13288. Ronald Ray crewed 63-13286. Another Crew Chief I remember were TSt Jimmy Janeway and SSgt Cook. The Maintenance officer was Capt Mike Laird and the Deputy for maintenance was LT Col Gene Durden. Some of the pilots were Capt Clark, Maj Hoffman, Maj Blevins or safety officer, Lt Col Putnam, and Lt Col Raslisbuger. Not sure of the spelling of their names. We nicknamed Maj Hoffman hydraulic Hoffman as we felt he could smell a hydraulic leak from 100 yards. My second job was Dock Chief. Next I worked in Quality Control and was working their when aircraft 63-13292 crashed. We had been having problems with the horizontal stabilizer actuator and we felt we had the problem fixed. When this aircraft dropped from the sky, we began to second guessing our self. By the way, at the same time this aircraft was falling from the sky, a TV camera man was checking out his camera and captured this on film. I was sent to the site and was able to almost rule out the actuator. After the actuator was removed and sent in for inspection it was found to be in good working order. I was at the crash site when I was told by Lt Col Durden that I had orders to go to the 63rd Mil Airlift Support SQ. Kelly Air Force Base TX. Five days latter I was in TX. If I remember right it was tail number 63-13286 that was returned to the 58th from Pakistan. This aircraft was straddled by two SA-2Guideline missiles as it was descending towards Peshawar.Despite suffering major structural damage and sustaining over 170 holes, the pilot managed to land the aircraft back at Peshawar. The 58th WRS was like a large family. We had personal TDY all over the world 360 days a year. The Commander almost always returned everyone home at Christmas. When you were TDY some one would always check in with your family to make sure they were okay. We always had a picnic in the summer and a very nice Christmas party. The Christmas of 1969, my wife was expecting our last child and she did not have a dress for the Christmas party. LT Col Durdens wife became aware of this and showed up at our house with some of her dresses. She made over one of her dresses to fit my wife. We went on to have one of the best Christmas parties of our life. I could go on and on about how good this unit was but I think you understand by now. I spent the last 10 years at Beale A.F.B. working with the SR-71 and U-2 /TR-1 aircraft.I retired from Beale A.F.B. in Oct. 1991 with 30 years service in the Air Force. reply

Tom McLehaney, e-mail, 09.12.2009 20:15 I was stationed at Kirtland AFB in the 58th WRS from 1966 until 1970. Steve, I remember you well, we worked together in the Autopilot shop. Sometime between 1966 and 1970, one of our RB-57F's crashed into the north side of Sandia Mountain while attempting to land at night-I don't remember the tail number but it may have been 292. If I remember correctly, the altimeter was found to be faulty leading the pilot to think he was higher than he actually was. The TDY's were definitely an adventure and we got to see and experience some great places-Argentina, Alaska, Panama and Germany are the one's I remember best. reply

Ventura Franco, e-mail, 09.12.2009 08:46 I was with the 55th WRS at KMCC and used to assist the turn around of the WB-57F's when they transisted KMCC.. Any you guys members of the (Air Weather Recon Association)AWRA?? if not join really interestig stuff there..AWRA @yahoogroups.com also join the AIr Force Band of Brothers... < /a> reply

Colin Heatherly, e-mail, 22.11.2009 02:10 The serial numbers were 63-13286 through 63-13302 and 63-13500 through 63-13503 (21 Total) I was an aircraft electrician with the 58th at Kirtland from Oct 69 till May 74 when we deactivated. Best outfit of my Air Force career. Those were the days my friend. Loved the travel and the places we went. Mendoza, Panama, Alaska, just to name a few. 287 was lost before I was a member (somewhere over the black sea I'm told) and 292 was lost just south of Albuquerque while I was a member. I think it was either in 72 of 73. NASA still flies two of them. They fly 63-13503 as NASA 926 and 63-13298 as NASA 928. They were here at Nellis back in August and I got to talk to a few of the crew members and revisit my old airplane. Sure brought back a lot of memories. Still one of the most beautiful aircraft ever. reply

Bob Svoboda, e-mail, 19.11.2009 19:17 I believe the first tail number was 286. I was stationed at Eielson AFB,AK Det 5 /9WRW. reply

HASSAN, e-mail, 30.10.2009 12:11 I NEED PAKISTAN AIR FORCE RB-57F IMAGE OR INFORMATION reply

Steve Baker, e-mail, 20.08.2009 08:31 I was also assigned to the 58th WRS at Kirtland from 1965 to 1968. I think you are exactly right about the tail numbers. As I remember it was 287. I worked in the auto-pilot shop. We probably went TDY together to either Panama, Alaska, Argentina, or Samoa. Ring a bell with anyone? sb reply

Ken Swick, e-mail, 19.06.2009 01:58 The last one flying is operated by NASA at Ellington Field Houston, Texas. I know the sound as the RB-57 before I see it. I live 1 mile from the runway and get to watch this (and many other types) fly diretly overhead on final. What a great place to live! reply

Stan Martin, e-mail, 28.12.2006 00:15 I was assigned to the 58th WRS, Kirtland AFB when the first General Dynamics B57's were delivered to us. I can't remeber the lowest tail number. I believe it was 287 or 288. I served from 1962 to 1966. I worked on the air sampling equipment. reply

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