This flew above my house yesterday, I was about to ask you guys to help me identify it but my google fu came through. I was stumped for a day, thinking WTH was that?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin/General_Dynamics_RB-57F_Canberra
It was this paint scheme that had me really confused
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NASA_928_WB-57F.jpg
I live in Houston, so this all makes sense now
Enjoy
Capt
NASA operates the two WB-57s still flying in their fleet, out of Ellington Field.
I knew NASA had operated B-57s, and you said you’re in Houston; so…
I would love to see one in flight. I can’t remember if there is one at the Air & Space Museum in Nebraska, but if there is I saw it.
Lovely aircraft, it’s actually an American made development of the English Electric
Canberra: English Electric Canberra - Wikipedia.
Still, AFAIK, used as a high altitude Photo-reconnaissance aircraft in various Air forces.
Probably the last of the 1st/2nd gen jets still in service.
Peter
Being so old, I remember when seeing them was not a big deal.
That NASA picture makes me wonder just how slow one could go & still balance on the main gear?
The more I think about it, the more useful in different ways that nose down arrangement of the landing gear is a brilliant idea. 
Yes, a very distinctive design, perhaps only second to the Avro Vulcan, which I used to see flying overhead when I lived in England in the '70s:
http://danielnutt.com/USERIMAGES/AvroVulcanBomber-pop-out.jpg
British aviation really has produced some magnificent aircraft, going all the way back to the Sopwith Camel, I’d say.
Yes, a remarkably elegant design, it was.
This puppy right here:
http://www.ipmsusa3.org/gallery/d/287282-1/Sopwith_Camel_Revell_4419_28th.JPG
I know, but I just couldn’t resist.
I liked it!
To the OP… a B-57 Canberra!!! I am surprised that they’re still used. Seiing one of those flying, to me, would be like seeing an F-102 Delta Dart in the air (according to Wikipedia there are no airworthy examples remaining).
Cool.
[nitpick] The F-102 was the Delta Dagger. [/nitpick]
QF-106B Delta Darts for sale in El Paso. There are five airframes, three ejection seats, and one J-75 engine available. They are considering a bit of $20K per airframe. Only one airframe has a data plate. Video on the page so you can see them.
I’ve always liked the RB-57F. The most interesting version of a good-looking airplane!
I’m astonished the thing is still flying. Maintenance and spare parts have to be a nightmare. Why would NASA even need it when they have U-2’s?
Payload for the WB-57 is a lot greater (8,800 lbs) than even the upgraded U-2 (ER-2) (~2750 lbs.) Plus, it looks like you have to really make some payload/fuel tradeoffs with the ER-2 that you might not have to with the WB-57. Also, it looks like the WB-57 has a lot more altitude flexibility than the ER-2. The ER-2 cite mentions difficulties if if has to be flown below 60,000 ft. Finally, I imagine you can do some missions more easily with two people than you can with one.
I always thought this one was pretty damn weird, and it’s real.
Ooh, how neat. I grew up in the 60s in Minot, No. Dak., with Delta Darts dragging sonic booms over town. The sound of freedom, we were always told. Beautiful planes, but the booms always freaked out my grandmother (who, to be fair, was born in 1889).
What on Og’s green Earth is that thing??
Transavia PL-12 Airtruk - I grew up with those things around in the Bay of Plenty (New Zealand) for topdressing (aerial fertilizing).
You should see the parent prototype … Gordon Bennet Airtruck.
Thanks for sharing this; I didn’t even know about its existance and I thought I knew most of the weird one offs out there.
I imagine parts are probably sourced from Davis-Monthan as they have almost everything stored out there…
