Clandestine missions and the ‘Berlin for Lunch Bunch’

The ‘Flint Stone’ (later ‘Rivet Stem’) C-97G 52-2687 from the 7405th SS, pictured in August 1964, was a combined photographic reconnaissance and ELINT machine. RALF MANTEUFEL Retirement from front-line duty enabled a few surplus C-97s to begin a second career modified for clandestine duties. The innocuous-looking aircraft was ideal as a reconnaissance platform, as the cargo hold could easily be altered for the installation of cameras and sensors. Furthermore, the type could fly close to nations potentially hostile to the