#jetbomber

The Martin XB-51 was an American trijet ground-attack aircraft. It was designed in 1945 and made its maiden flight in 1949. It was originally designed as a bomber for the United States Army Air Forces under specification V-8237-1 and was designated XA-45. The “A” ground-attack classification was eliminated the next year, and the XB-51 designation was assigned instead. The requirement was for low-level bombing and close support. The XB-51 lost out in evaluation to the English Electric Canberra which – built by Martin – entered service as the Martin B-57 Canberra.

The North American B-45 Tornado was a four engined jet bomber of the United States Air Force. Its first flight was in 1947 and it entered squadron service in April 1948. The B-45 operated during the Korean War as both a bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. The Royal Air Force also operated a number of the RB-45C variant to overfly the Soviet Union.

A total of 143 were built, the last being withdrawn from service in 1959.