The story
General Dynamics took the B-57 Canberra bomber and stretched its wing to over 122 feet, creating an aircraft that cruises above 60,000 feet. Only 21 were converted, and NASA flies the last of them from Ellington Field in Houston on science missions — chasing total eclipses, sampling the stratosphere, and filming rocket launches from above the weather.
NASA's WB-57Fs filmed the 2024 total solar eclipse and SpaceX Starship launches from above 60,000 feet — where the sky overhead starts to go dark.
Quick answers
How do you identify a Martin/General Dynamics WB-57F?
You will rarely see one — it works above 60,000 feet. On climb-out from Houston: an impossibly long, straight wing, two fat engine pods, and a dark sensor nose.
What does a Martin/General Dynamics WB-57F sound like?
Two TF33 turbofans — a muted, steady whine built for the thin air twice as high as the airliners.
How fast is the Martin/General Dynamics WB-57F?
Top speed is 410 kts (cruise).
How many people does the Martin/General Dynamics WB-57F carry?
Typical configuration: Pilot + sensor operator.
How far can the Martin/General Dynamics WB-57F fly?
Range is about 2,170 nmi.
How big is the Martin/General Dynamics WB-57F?
It is 68 ft 8 in long and 122 ft 5 in across the wings.
When did the Martin/General Dynamics WB-57F first fly?
Its first flight was in 1963.
How many Martin/General Dynamics WB-57Fs have been built?
21 (converted) built.
How rare is a Martin/General Dynamics WB-57F in Bogey?
LEGENDARY. The top tier. Spotters plan trips around a catch like this. Your first Martin/General Dynamics WB-57F catch is worth 1,000 points.
