The Flickr Electronicintelligence Image Generatr

13 July 2005, Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford

3 July 2014, RAF Waddington

Embedded in the alpine pastures. Some antennas that were no longer needed have been removed. New parts were relocated to civilian masts because new masts were not approved. Switzerland, September 9, 2023. (4/4)

The access via a military road is also ensured in winter with a snow blower. Switzerland, September 9, 2023. (2/4)

Due to the rapid technological development, adjustments were repeatedly necessary. The building in the foreground was recently built. Switzerland, September 9, 2023. (3/4)

One of several electronic warfare systems used by the Air Force. Built in the late 1980s. Classified. Switzerland, September 9, 2023. (1/4)

Photo taken by Klaus Held, scan kindly provided by him for inclusion on this page.


Thanks a lot to Ralph M. Petterson and Peter Marson for helping me ascertain the identity of this aircraft.

Here’s the answer to my inquiry:
www.conniesurvivors.com/1-QandA.htm


München-Riem
1966-04-16 (16 April 1966)

131391 / 13
Lockheed WV-2Q / EC-121M Warning Star
1049A-4311
United States Navy,
Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron VQ-2, Rota, Spain

A lucky shot: This EC-121M came in unexpectedly, stayed only for a few minutes and took off again. It’s the only Warning Star I have a record of at Riem (but maybe there were more).

131391’s sister ship 131390 (c/n 1049A-4310) also from VQ-2 crashed on 22 May 1962 about 20 km from Riem, near Markt Schwaben, Germany, returning from a mission along the Czech border; rear cargo door failure caused in-flight tail separation, resulting in crash, explosion and fire; all 26 aboard were killed. (Source: vw1assoc.org)

The Lockheed WV-2Q Warning Star was a WV-2 (aka as Willie Victor) modified for the communications intelligence/electronics intelligence (ELINT)/signals intelligence role (source: vpnavy.com). The WV-2Q was redesignated EC-121M in 1962 (source: joebaugher.com).

Information from airhistory.net - thanks to Tim Martin:
Entered service in 1954 and retired to MASDC Davis Monthan in 1972. Scrapped in 1976.

131391 / 13 with US Navy at PIK in 1959:
www.airhistory.net/photo/458200/131391

131391 / 13 with US Navy at Dakar in 1961:
aflyinghistory.com/photos/lockheed/wv-2/131391/7679--1961...

131391 / 13 with US Navy at RAF Mildenhall in March 1969 (revised colours):
www.flickr.com/photos/147668976@N06/43521201124/


Scan from black-and-white print.

Operator: Swedish Air Force
Aircraft: Gulfstream S102B Korpen
Registration: 102002
C/n: 1215
Time & Location: 27.08.2022, ESCM (Uppsala), Sweden
Remarks: Swedish Armed Forces Air Show 2022.
Electronic intelligence aircraft.

Markings: USN Naval Air Testing Center, Patuxent River NAS, St Mary's County, Maryland, 1969
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Two Pratt & Whitney J57-P-10 turbojets, 12,400-lbf each
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en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_A-3_Skywarrior

DSC_0540 Anx2 1400h Q90

© James Shelbourn All Rights Reserved

“LOCKHEED SATELLITE -- Artist’s concept shows satellite built by Lockheed Missiles & Space Co. for the Air Force. Craft will carry aloft two types of reflective optical surfaces for exposure to space environment. Also, instruments aboard will measure radiation and other space phenomena.”

I have no idea what this was designated as, or if it even flew, but it’s really cool looking. Sort of a mini, precursor LDEF? And who knows what else was onboard. Note also the two small thrusters on opposing sides of the satellite’s face, angled…to I assume induce/maintain spin stabilization.

Beautiful & meticulous artwork by Mr. Jack Young.
To my fellow Brother in Arms, THANK YOU:

www.aeroclassics.us/artist.html
Credit: Aero Classics website

Landing at the marvellous Iruma airbase.

XK655, De Havilland DH-106 Comet R2 (CN 06023) of the Strathallan Aircraft Collection photographed on 19 April 1981 at Strathallan Aircraft Museum, Perthshire. Originally built for BOAC as a Mk 2A, it first flew in August 1953. Following the emergence of structural problems and grounding of all Comets in 1954, the aircraft was sold to the Ministry of Supply in 1955 and converted to Mk 2R for use by 192 Squadron, Royal Air Force in the electronic intelligence role. As such the Comet 2R was the only mark to continue flying with the original oblong windows, albeit locally strengthened and operated at a lower pressurisation than other marks, requiring crews to wear oxygen masks at all times on long missions. Delivered in April 1958, the aircraft flew it's first operational sortie in February 1958 - a patrol along the Inner German Border and it's last in July 1974. In between, in common with the other two on charge, operations in every part of the globe were undertaken.
Sold to the Strathallan Aircraft Collection, during delivery on 21 August 1974, XK655 struck a ditch on landing at the short grass airfield, shearing off the starboard main gear. Fortunately little other damage was suffered an the crew were uninjured. Following repair the aircraft as displayed outdoors, enduring serious deterioration in the Scottish climate, particularly after the closure of the museum in 1980. Eventually scrapped in 1993, the cockpit section was preserved, initially at Gatwick Airport Spectator Area but now under cover at Al Mahatta Aviation Museum, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates back in BOAC markings. Scanned from an original 35mm colour transparency via Hasselblad X-5

14 July 2005, Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford

In 1951, the US Army recognized a need for a new general utility aircraft to replace the World War II-era aircraft still in service. After a short evaluation, the Army chose the Beech 50 Twin Bonanza and it entered production as the L-23 Seminole. Though the initial batch were based on the early Twin Bonanza, in 1955 these were remanufactured as later types with uprated engines, as the L-23D. In 1962, the L-23s in service were designated U-8s.

The Seminole was "off the shelf" and needed little to no modification from civilian versions; it was reliable, easy to fly, and easy to repair. The Army would subsequently modify several to RU-8Ds with side-looking radar. These were initially flown in Vietnam, but proved to be too slow to survive in high-threat environments and were replaced by OV-1 Mohawks. Most were used as general "hack" aircraft to fly between Army bases worldwide. Several were also supplied to the Pakistani Army.

Beginning in the 1970s, the U-8 fleet was generally replaced by U-21 Utes, which were based on the Beech King Air 200. Remaining aircraft were passed on to Army National Guard units before they were retired entirely by 1992. Many survivors were sold as surplus on the civilian market.

Originally built for the USAF, 58-1358 was instead delivered to the US Army as a L-23D, and later converted to a RU-8D. It was assigned to the 224th Aviation Battalion at Da Nang, South Vietnam, in 1966, and would remain in the theater until the American withdrawal in 1972. The 224th supported both Army and Marine operations in the I Corps area, using their RU-8s to pinpoint Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army troops by intercepting their radio transmissions. This was an extremely dangerous operation that required flying low, sometimes at night and in all weathers. 58-1358 was named "Lonely Ringer" during its time in-country.

Not long after its return from Vietnam, 58-1358 was withdrawn from service and sold as surplus. One of its former pilots, Mr. Bruce Clapham found the aircraft derelict in Phoenix, Arizona and bought it in 1983. He subsequently restored it back to its Vietnam appearance and donated it to the Combat Air Museum in Topeka, Kansas in 1985. It is dedicated to four men killed from Clapham's company, and Clapham himself, who passed away in 1989.

pictionid73625298 - title image from william blondet who served with the 42 tews and was a pilot of kc-135s and douglas eb-66 destroyer. photos from okinawa in 1972 and karat - catalogblondet 40 ----Note: This material may be protected by Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S.C.)--Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum

pictionid73625044 - title image from william blondet who served with the 42 tews and was a pilot of kc-135s and douglas eb-66 destroyer. photos from okinawa in 1972 and karat - catalogblondet 26 -----Note: This material may be protected by Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S.C.)--Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum

pictionid73625768 - title blondet flying eb-66 douglas destroyer image from william blondet who served with the 42 tews and was a pilot of kc-135s and douglas eb-66 destroyer. photos from okinawa in 1972 and karat - catalogblondet flying eb-66 douglas destroyer -----Note: This material may be protected by Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S.C.)--Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum

pictionid73625167 - title image from william blondet who served with the 42 tews and was a pilot of kc-135s and douglas eb-66 destroyer. photos from okinawa in 1972 and karat - catalogblondet 35 ----Note: This material may be protected by Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S.C.)--Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum

pictionid73625677 - title blondet crew of eb-66 42nd tews.jpg image from william blondet who served with the 42 tews and was a pilot of kc-135s and douglas eb-66 destroyer. photos from okinawa in 1972 and karat - catalogblondet crew of eb-66 42nd tews - ----Note: This material may be protected by Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S.C.)--Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum