Jack Goldthorpe. standing in front of a Douglas RB-66B at Spangdahlem whilst on detachment for Exercise Royal Flush - Aug58.   (Thanks to Jack Goldthorpe.) Douglas B-66. In 1953, Douglas received an order from the USAF to modify the A3D as a land-based reconnaissance and bomber aircraft, and five RB-66As were produced for service evaluation in 1954.   These were followed by the first production version, the B-66B (72 built), which began to replace the Martin B-57 Canberra in the USAF's tactical bomber wings from March 1956.   It was preceded slightly by the RB-66B reconnaissance aircraft, of which 145 examples were built; this was followed by the RB-66C and the RB-66D (77 built of both sub-types), the latter specialised weather reconnaissance version.   The RB-66C equipped two tactical reconnaissance wings.   Many B-66/RB-66 aircraft were modified for the electronic warfare role as EB-66s and saw action in the Vietnam War.   Specifications apply to the RB-66B: Crew: 3; Powerplant: two 4,627 Kg (10,200 lb) thrust Allison J71-A-11 turbojet engines; Performance: max speed 1,015 Km/hr (631 mph); range 3,220 km (2,000 miles); service ceiling 11,855m (38,900 ft). Dimensions: Wingspan 22.10m (72ft 6in); length 22.90m (75ft 2in); height 7.19m (23ft 7in). Weight: 37,648 Kg (83,000 lb) loaded. Armament: two remotely controlled 20mm (0.79 in) cannon in tail barbette.