Lockheed EC-121 Constellation
The EC-121 was flown by the 551 AEW&CON WG at Otis AFB Ma. and 552 AEW&CON WGat McClellan AFB CA. There was also a Squadron (966 AEW SQ) at McCoy AFB FLA.
The Radar version was first designated RC-121C, then RC-121D. Then the Air Force change the RC to EC and it was re-designated as EC-121D. The RC-121C had the APS-20 and APS-45radar's on board. During 1962 the APS-20 (search radar) was replaced with the APS-95 radar. It had a range of 250 miles, operated at 405 MHz to 450 MHz. with 3 MW peak power output. The APS-45 (Height finder) had a range of 120 miles.
Always during 1962, the 551 AEW converted the D model to the EC-121H.It was called ALRI (airborne long input). The airplane had a data processor on board and radar data was fed to the SAGE CENTER(Semi automatic ground environment) by a Radio Transmitter (AGDL& TDDL) and a steerable antenna. The APS-45 was upgraded tothe APS-103, .with more power and range. The EC-121Q had the APS-95 andAPS-103 and was used by 966th at McCoy AFB. The 551st and 966th were decommisioned on Dec. 31, 1969.
The 552nd also flew the "T" model. The IFF data was fed to a computer and digitally displayed on a display console. Some of the "T" models had the upper radome removed and the height finder radar was replaced with special IFF gear. The 552nd distinguished itself at sea during the Viet Nam conflict, earning several AFOUAs. The outfit for oversea was first known as Bigeye, then College Eye . They were flying out of Viet Nam then Thailand (southern operating location) and Itasuki AB (northern operating location). The main operating location was in Taiwan.The 552nd was decommissioned at McClellan in Apr. 1976 and reactivated at Tinker AFB Jul 1976. There was also a Reserve unit at Homestead AFB that flew both the EC-121 "D" and"T" models. (79 AEW&C Sq). All the above had unit deployments to Iceland (Keflavik) from about mid 1960s until the end, late 1978. The last being the 79AEW&C Sq.
This page is dedicated to theOfficers and Men who lost their lives flying Active Air Defense Missions over the North Atlantic on aircraft #135, 262 and 549.You are not for forgotten.
RC-121C The U.S Air Force had 10 RC-121Cs. Air Forceserial # 51-3836 - 3845. They were later redsignated TC-121C andEC-121C. One #55-3840 was converted to a basic C-121C transport.The Air Force had a transport version (Qty. 33) designated C-121Cwhich included #54-151 /183. The C-121C had Square widows whilethe RC-121C had round windows. C-121Cex-USAF 54-0156 (N73544)flying based at Camerillo owned by the Constellation HistoricalSociety.
EC-121D--The Air Force had 73 RC-121Ds #s 52-3411 -- 3425 / 53-533 --556 / 53-3398 -- 3403 / 54-2304 -- 2308 / 55-118 --139. Also onewas obtained by modifying a C-121C. They were redsignated asEC-121Ds in 1962.
Other EC-121D images
VC-121E --Asingle VC-121E, 53-7885 was modified on the production line froma Navy R7V1 to be used as a special VIP plane. It was used byPresidents Eisenhower and Kennedy. When the president was onboard it was called Air Force One. Ike named the plane ColumbineIII after the state flower of Colorado. While in the armyEisenhower had two other Connies as personal transport all namedColumbine. Columbine III is at Air Force Museum and Columbine IIis in Tucson AZ. and still may be flying. (C-121A 48-0614) Gen.MacArthur had a personal plane named Battan. (48-0613--N422NA) Itis preserved at FT. Rucker Al. (may have been moved).
EC-121H --Redesignationof 42 EC-121Ds after electronics upgrading in 1962. Seven WV-2from the U.S. Navy were included in this upgrade and were given#s 55-262 -- 55-268. They had a data processor that fed datadirectly to the ground. It also carried two more crewmen, An ADPTech and a Nav. Tech. Aircraft --53-535 in storage at D-M AFB
C-121G--The Navy transferred to theAir Force thirty-two of its fifty-one R7V-1s. The Air Forceassigned the designation C-121G and a single block of ser.#54-4048--4079.
TC-121G--Four C-121Gs, --54-4050--4052 and 54-4058 were modified as crew trainers designatedTC-121Gs. One became a VC-121G with plush interior for VIPpassengers.
C-121J -- The Navy ordered fiftycargo versions designated R7V-1. Thirty two R7V-1s weretransferred to the USAF which became C-121Gs. In 1962 the R7V-1became C-121Js
EC-121J --Two EC-121Ds 52-3416 and53-137 were upgraded with additional electronics. Both the USAFand US Navy had airplanes with the J designation.
NC-121J--Four R7V-1/C-121J were converted to NC-121Jfor use as airborne television transmitters in Viet Nam.
EC-121K/ WV2-- In 1954 the US Navy begin receiving the first of 142Super Constellations designated as WV-2s. BuNos 126512, 126513,128323 -- 128326, 131387 -- 131392, 135746 -- 135761, 137887 --137890, 141289 --141333, 143184 -- 143230, and 145824 --145841.In 1962 they were redesignated as EC-121Ks. EC-12Ks that havebeen preserved are #137890 displayed as Airforce EC-121D #53-552at Tinker AFB OK. #141292 at Florence, SCwas the last connie to be flown by the Navy,#141297 at Warner-Robbins AFB GA. #141309 displayed as Air ForceEC-121D #53-552 at McClellan AFB CA.#141311 at Rantoul IL.#143221at Naval Air Muesum Pensacola FL.
JC-121K -- EC-121K used by the USArmy for testing electronics. Had US Army marking but remainedNavy property.
EC-121L--AWV-2E with a roto-dome, later used on the AWACS E3 and HawkeyeE2.
EC-121M-- A few WV-2s were modified for ECM missions. Designated WV-2Q,then in 1962 as the EC-121M. EC-121M sn 145940
WC-121N /WV-3 -- Eight WV-2s, BuNos137392--137898 were completed as weather reconnaissance planes.One WV-2, BuNo 141323 was modified after delivery as a ninthWV-3. In 1962 they were redesigned WC-121Ns.
EC-121P -- Several EC-121Ks wereupgraded with submarine detection equipment and designatedEC-121Ps.
JEC-121P -- Three Navy EC-121Ps BuNos143189, 143199, and 143200 were transferred to the US Air Forcefor testing. They retained their Navy Ser #s.
EC-121Q--Redesignation of EC-121Ds--53-0542, 53-0547, 55-120 and 55-128 after electronics upgrade(Height Finder and IFF ). Tail number corrections provided by J.Brown (20 Jul 97)
E-12C1R--TheAir Force converted thirty ex-Navy EC-121Ks and EC-121Ps intoEC-121Rs. They had Serial # 67-21471 -- 21500. The radomes andthe AEW equipment were removed and they were used as airborne relay stationsto detect and transmit signals from airdropped seismic devices dropped behind enemy lines. Based atKorat RTAFB Thailand the Rs processed data received from BeechQU-22Bs, which was picked from seismic devices (called ADSID)planted along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. --67-21496
EC-121S<Five C-121Cs 54-155, -159, -164, -170, and -173 were converted toS models and flown by the Tactical Electronic Warfare Group ofthe Pennsylvania Air National Guard. Aircraft 54-155 preserved at Lackland AFB TX
EC-121T--Upgrade of electronics of fifteen EC-121Ds and seven EC-121Hs.They were used by the 552nd and the 79 AEW & CS until 1978.The following are preserved --52-3417 Helena MT. -- 52-3418Combat Air museum Topeka, KS-- 52-3425 Peterson AFB CO. -- 53-0548 CamerilloCA. Flying -- 53-0554 Pima Air Museum.
Doug Fuller's Constellation Page
Info on EC-121T 53-0548 and C-121C N73544 (54-0156)
Preserved US Military Aircraft
US Air Force Transport DesignationList
552nd AEW&C
For information on 552nd re-unions, contact: Tony Praxel, 3005Prado,
Sacramento, Cal. 95825. Ph. 916-487-1975
CONNIES lost Over The N. Atlantic
Connie Missing Man Formation Flyover
AirborneEarly Warning Association
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