November 13, 2006: Shuttle launch from above

[SPUCK]

Here we go:
http://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/l...chasejets.html

[busterb]

To me, the last link doesn't explain the dates in photos or the bit of cockpit or shroud in photos. Fwiw. But I don't think they were made from a small plane. Wonder how high? Altitude!

[busterb]

65,000 ft for the above plane. http://suborbital.nasa.gov/platforms...aft/wb-57.html

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by busterb

To me, the last link doesn't explain the dates in photos or the bit of cockpit or shroud in photos. Fwiw. But I don't think they were made from a small plane. Wonder how high? Altitude!

I agree, buster. Seriously doubt they are from the imaging system but the pilot probably had a personal camera with him.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Good find, that's an interesting plane. Good design, but poor material choices led to premature wing cracking and expensive repairs, so only the two given to NASA by the Air Force are still flying.

The United States Air Force first got interested in the Canberra, as well as many other aircraft, in 1950 when it was looking for a replacement for the aging Douglas B-26 Invader. The Air Force was to make its final selection for the replacement aircraft after a final demonstration in February of 1951. The B-57 was flown in by the Royal Air Force for the demonstration, making the flight across the Atlantic in four hours and forty minutes, setting an unofficial record time for the crossing in either direction. This was also the first unrefuelled Atlantic crossing by any jet-powered aircraft. Coming into the demonstration flight with such fan-fare, the Canberra easily stole the show, and won the contract.