What is a B-66 Destroyer?
The Douglas B-66 Destroyer is a light bomber designed and produced by the American aviation manufacturer Douglas Aircraft Company . The B-66 was developed for the United States Air Force (USAF) and is heavily based upon the United States Navy ‘s A-3 Skywarrior, a heavy carrier-based attack aircraft.
When did the B-66 bomber come out?
Performing its maiden flight on 28 June 1954, the aircraft was introduced to USAF service during 1956. The standard model, designated B-66, was a bomber model that was procured to replace the aging Douglas A-26 Invader; in parallel, a dedicated photo reconnaissance model, designated RB-66, was also produced alongside.
What is a B-66 Stratofortess?
The B-66 was developed for the United States Air Force (USAF) and is heavily based upon the United States Navy’s A-3 Skywarrior, a heavy carrier-based attack aircraft.
What does EB-66B stand for?
A total of 13 B-66B aircraft later were modified into EB-66B electronic countermeasures (ECM) aircraft, which played a forward role in the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, and were stationed at RAF Chelveston with the 42nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, who performed the conversion during the early 1960s.
What did the EB-66B do in the Vietnam War?
Unarmed EB-66B, EB-66C and EB-66E aircraft flew numerous missions during the Vietnam War. They helped gather electronic intelligence about North Vietnamese defenses, and provided protection for bombing missions of the Republic F-105 Thunderchiefs by jamming North Vietnamese radar systems.
What is a B-66B?
DAYTON, Ohio — Douglas RB-66B Destroyer at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo) The B-66 was developed from the U.S. Navy A3D Skywarrior as a tactical light bomber and photo reconnaissance aircraft.
When did the B-66 bomber first fly?
This aircraft first flew in early 1955. The B-66 light tactical bomber form was eventually evolved along its own set of requirements, ultimately yielding the B-66B production model of which 72 were obtained by the USAF. The USAF originally envisioned a fleet of 141 of the type but the numbers never worked out in the branch’s favor.