EC-121 ID

Thanks every one that pic has been bugging me for ages

🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Okay peoples..

Have all of the information on this particular aircraft lovingly given to me by a “Crazy” person who lives in “Maine”…… 😉

” The Aircraft in the photo is the following,

Lockheed EC-121S Serial # 54-159
193 TEW Squadron Pennsylvania Air National Guard

The planes where ex NASA aircraft hence the paint scheme, the two long narrow antenaes are over size rabbit ears they where used to collect Micro-Wave and then re-broad cast the signal from the other six antenaes.

There main job was to send out Pysc-warfair info. but they also coud be set up to broadcast Radio and TV programs. They still are task to do this dutie now flying EC-130T.

After the 193 was done with the aircraft they went to the Pacific Missle Range where they were used by the US Navy for tracking and finally where retired in the early 80s to AMARC. The other 193 aircraft was 54-177. The 193 was the only USAF/ANG units to fly any verson of the EC-121S They flew in SEA under the College Eye Watch and sometimes would be used in Black-Cat/Igloo-White Operations. “

Excellent stuff !!!!

Cheers
TNZ

Some further information –

There were six EC-121S aircraft converted by Lockheed Air Service, New York, but only 4 had the Coronet Solo equipment installed – the photo posted by Lauriebe is presumably one of the two without.

The Coronet Solo aircraft were equiped with 10,000 watt AM Transmitters, 10,000 watt HF transmitters and 1,000 watt TV and FM transmitters. These systems were used to broadcast in comercial broadcast bands.

Air Force Tail numbers of the EC121S were 54-0155, 54-0157, 54-0159, 54-0164, 54-0173 and 54-0183.

The aircraft were flown by the 193rd Tactical Electronics Warfare (TEW) Unit, Pennsylvania Air Nation Guard in Harrisburg, Pa. from 1967 until 1977 – the unit is still operational as the 193 Special Operations Wing, now equipped with the EC130 Commando Solo.

More here with some more photos, including the one posted by Spiteful21:

http://www.dean-boys.com/ec-121s/information_on_the_ec-121s.htm

It’s one of a pair of EC-121 from the 193d Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron of the Pennsylvania Air Guard that operated from Korat in Thailand in 1970 as part of Operation “Commando Buzz” – the 193rd were a “psy-ops” unit that broadcast propanganda and so on over the radio and TV.

I presume the “airline” paint scheme was some sort of subterfuge to make it look like a civil machine.

Just found this photo of one of the Pennsilvania ANG machines:

http://www.dean-boys.com/extras/images/3.gif

Different aerial configuration, probably for slightly different mission, but the paint scheme, including markings, is pretty much the same. Type shown as EC-121S.

BR

Laurie.

It’s one of a pair of EC-121 from the 193d Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron of the Pennsylvania Air Guard that operated from Korat in Thailand in 1970 as part of Operation “Commando Buzz” – the 193rd were a “psy-ops” unit that broadcast propanganda and so on over the radio and TV.

I presume the “airline” paint scheme was some sort of subterfuge to make it look like a civil machine.

It appears to be a modified USN colour scheme but devoid of all national and other markings, with the exception of the stars and stripes on the centre fin. That, along with the very specialised aerial fit seems to indicate an Elint aircraft.

Like Turbo_NZ, I’ve had a look on several sites which include EC121/WV-2 aircraft, all with no success. Reference books haven’t been of any help either.

I spent most of this afternoon looking through this site but no sign of anything like the aircraft in the photo:

http://www.dean-boys.com/ec-121.htm

Excellent little site though.

BR

Laurie.

Hiya Spiteful21.,

I’ve had a look but can’t seem to place it anywhere.
Of particular note if the 2 prongs coming out of the fuselage and the overall unusual (for an EC-121) gray colour scheme.

I suggest you email these guys – [email]ec-121@dean-boys.com[/email].
They should be able to help you.

Good luck

Cheers
TNZ