Douglas WB-66D "Destroyer"

The B-66 was developed from the Navy A3D Skywarrior for USAF use as a tactical light bomber and photo reconnaissance aircraft. An RB-66A, one of five reconnaissance aircraft ordered as prototypes, was first to fly on June 28, 1954. B-66s became operational in 1956; production ended in 1958. The RB-66B reconnaissance version was the first production series and totaled 155 of the 294 B-66s built.

The B-66 was the last tactical bomber built for the USAF and the only B-66 designed exclusively as a bomber. Others served as tactical reconnaissance aircraft while the final version, WB-66D, was designed for electronic weather reconnaissance. Some B-66s were modified for service in Vietnam as electronic countermeasures aircraft to confuse enemy radar defenses. Warner Robins Air Logistics Center assumed logistics management responsibility for the B-66 in 1965 due to phase-out of the Mobile Air Materiel Area at Brookley AFB, Alabama. However, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center inspected, winterized, and flight-tested 83 of these aircraft under Project High Flight in 1957-58.

The WB-66D on display was acquired from Shaw AFB, South Carolina, in 1984. Restoration was started by Middle Georgia Technical Institute and is ongoing by Macon Technical Institute.

SPECIFICATIONS           
Serial # : 
55-392
Wingspan: 
72' 6"
Cost: 
$2,334,000
Length: 
75' 2"
Max. Speed: 
585 mph
Height: 
23' 7"
Range: 
1,800 miles without refueling
Weight: 
91,000 lbs. maximum
Service Ceiling: 
43,000 feet
Engines: 
(2) Allison J71s of 10,200 lbs. thrust each

 

 
 
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