# Oddball Plane **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 12, 2013, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddball-plane/668695 "2013-09-12T20:27:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Capt\_Kirk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@Capt\_Kirk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt_Kirk)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddball-plane/668695/1 "2013-09-12T20:27:18Z")
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](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](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NASA_928_WB-57F.jpg) I live in Houston, so this all makes sense now Enjoy **Capt** ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddball-plane/668695/2 "2013-09-13T00:40:27Z")
[NASA](http://www.nasa.gov/missions/research/b-57_feature.html) 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… ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddball-plane/668695/3 "2013-09-13T01:58:59Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![pdunderhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4bbf92/32.png) [@pdunderhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pdunderhill)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddball-plane/668695/4 "2013-09-13T13:20:03Z")
Lovely aircraft, it’s actually an American made development of the English Electric Canberra: [English Electric Canberra - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Electric_Canberra). 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 ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddball-plane/668695/5 "2013-09-13T18:01:53Z")
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. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddball-plane/668695/6 "2013-09-13T18:53:22Z")
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](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. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddball-plane/668695/7 "2013-09-13T19:46:19Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > …going all the way back to the Sopwith Camel, I’d say. Yes, a [remarkably elegant](http://static.tumblr.com/0z2regz/KkXlyn3mo/tumblr_lvnqkjwoz01qbsg6o.jpg) design, it was. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddball-plane/668695/8 "2013-09-14T05:24:44Z")
This puppy right **here** : [http://www.ipmsusa3.org/gallery/d/287282-1/Sopwith\_Camel\_Revell\_4419\_28th.JPG](http://www.ipmsusa3.org/gallery/d/287282-1/Sopwith_Camel_Revell_4419_28th.JPG) ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddball-plane/668695/9 "2013-09-14T07:11:17Z")
I know, but I just couldn’t resist. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddball-plane/668695/10 "2013-09-14T10:04:36Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddball-plane/668695/11 "2013-09-14T15:56:55Z")
> [@echo7tango](#): > > F-102 Delta Dart in the air (according to Wikipedia there are no airworthy examples remaining). [nitpick] The F-102 was the Delta Dagger. [/nitpick] [QF-106B Delta Darts for sale](http://www.f-106deltadart.com/westernair_f-106_sale_pkg.htm) 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. ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddball-plane/668695/12 "2013-09-16T22:54:40Z")
I’ve always liked the RB-57F. The most interesting version of a good-looking airplane! ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddball-plane/668695/13 "2013-09-16T23:18:41Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2013, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddball-plane/668695/14 "2013-09-17T00:11:16Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > 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](https://airbornescience.nasa.gov/aircraft/WB-57) is a lot greater (8,800 lbs) than even the upgraded U-2 ([ER-2](http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/research/AirSci/ER-2/er2perf.html)) (~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. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2013, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddball-plane/668695/15 "2013-09-17T01:52:18Z")
That’s not an oddball plane! [These](http://davidszondy.com/future/Flight/weird_wonderful.htm) [are](http://davidszondy.com/future/Flight/oddjobs.htm) oddball planes! ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2013, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddball-plane/668695/16 "2013-09-17T02:25:01Z")
I always thought [this one](http://www.aircraftimages.net/pics/8/8236_800.jpg) was pretty damn weird, and it’s real. ---
**Author:** ![Ispolkom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47774/32.png) [@Ispolkom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ispolkom)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddball-plane/668695/17 "2013-09-18T03:34:58Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > [nitpick] The F-102 was the Delta Dagger. [/nitpick] > > [QF-106B Delta Darts for sale](http://www.f-106deltadart.com/westernair_f-106_sale_pkg.htm) 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. 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). ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddball-plane/668695/18 "2013-09-18T10:41:58Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I always thought [this one](http://www.aircraftimages.net/pics/8/8236_800.jpg) was pretty damn weird, and it’s real. What on Og’s green Earth is that thing?? ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddball-plane/668695/19 "2013-09-18T11:34:11Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > What on Og’s green Earth is that thing?? [Transavia PL-12 Airtruk](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bennett_Airtruck). ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddball-plane/668695/20 "2013-09-18T15:26:57Z")
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](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i9wQGidG2M) as they have almost everything stored out there…