C-130A 55-0041 - could this ever have been used as an ECM or SIGNIT aircraft?

[mark18mwm]

Larry, I was fortunate enough to be crew chief on 62-1819 my last year at Rhein-Main. My room mate was cc on 62-1828. As crew chiefs we where pretty sure as to what their mission and there capabilities. However, I went with 1828 on a 10 hr. nav. over water one time and they stumbled on something apparently of interest and they took some of their toys out to play with. Everything I thought I knew was nothing compared to what I saw that night. That was only with a "skeleton"crew on 28 witch was the least modified plane of the three, at that time. I can only imagine the things that went on with these guys on there daily missions. It was great to crew these birds as when I was on "trash haulers" (no offence, I loved them also) I rarely felt the satisfaction of knowing they had a real mission during peace time where as 1819, 1822, 1822 all did something "real world" and maybe a little more important.

[larry myers]

Mark, I know how you felt as I felt the same way at the time. And I also derived a great deal of satisfaction when my acft. blocked on time knowing that we were doing something very important. I was convinced (and still am) that being a crew chief was the best job in the AF. Although, at times, it could get a little rocky. And the hours weren't all that great.

[DC10FE]

When I was in the 37th at Rhein Main, the three 1800 series airplanes were parked in amongst our airplanes. One time, my AC (last name Schaefer), paced off the wingspan of one of them. He was immediately jacked up by the Security Police. Later, he said the wingspan was longer.

Don R.

[mark18mwm]

Don, The wing span was longer. They had false (fiberglass) wing tips that were longer than standard E models. If you ever looked there were also other differences you could see on the ground if you looked hard enough. They also had a false beaver tail that was bigger than usual. The troop doors around the window if you looked close you could see a square cut out to remove the round window and put in a large observation blister. If you ever watched some one pre-flight one you would notice the ground test valve was in (not behind) the wheel well, among other differences. Less obvious was when 1819 came back from depot in about 85 she had H model wings and - 15 engines. 1822 got the same in about 86, I assume 1828 had them installed also later. One thing that was a pain with these planes was ruining some ones day when they accidentally came on board and had to turned in, then they had to go get a "debrief" as to what they didn't see. That usually happened to visiting crews because most people at RM were well aware to stay clear of them. One time a friend of mine passing threw from Little Rock seen me and and unbeknownst to me not only followed me on board but all the way to the back of the cargo compartment before I seen him. It kind of took the fun out of a reunion for me to have him "jacked up" by the sky cops.But on the bright side of that, at least I was able to go explain to his crew why thier crew chief suddenly disappeared how they could get him back, ha-ha.

[bobdaley]

Ok

Is this 56-0480 or 57-0480?

Thanks

Bob

[GVS]

Good question.57480 co.#3187 went toBolivia in '88 as TAM62 and crashed on 21-12-'89.

56480 co#3088 crash landed at S/F camp Bunard on 16-4-68 and was blown up.

The image you posted has the U.S.national star on the empennage and it looks like it still has 3 bladed props installed.

So I'd GUESS it's 56480.

[Robert Z]

On 9/29/2013 at 6:06 AM, DC10FE said:

 

 

A friend of mine was a loadmaster in the 7405th at Rhein Main. He told me one time in Athens (I think), someone came up to the crew and told them that their tail number belonged to an airplane that had crashed years ago.

He was also a bartender at the American Legion in Waldorf. Yeah, you know who I'm talkin' about Hush.

Don R.

That happened in Aviano Italy...    Old time FE who was in the reserves at the time..  

[Robert Z]

On 10/3/2013 at 7:45 AM, mark18mwm said:

Don, The wing span was longer. They had false (fiberglass) wing tips that were longer than standard E models. If you ever looked there were also other differences you could see on the ground if you looked hard enough. They also had a false beaver tail that was bigger than usual. The troop doors around the window if you looked close you could see a square cut out to remove the round window and put in a large observation blister. If you ever watched some one pre-flight one you would notice the ground test valve was in (not behind) the wheel well, among other differences. Less obvious was when 1819 came back from depot in about 85 she had H model wings and - 15 engines. 1822 got the same in about 86, I assume 1828 had them installed also later. One thing that was a pain with these planes was ruining some ones day when they accidentally came on board and had to turned in, then they had to go get a "debrief" as to what they didn't see. That usually happened to visiting crews because most people at RM were well aware to stay clear of them. One time a friend of mine passing threw from Little Rock seen me and and unbeknownst to me not only followed me on board but all the way to the back of the cargo compartment before I seen him. It kind of took the fun out of a reunion for me to have him "jacked up" by the sky cops.But on the bright side of that, at least I was able to go explain to his crew why thier crew chief suddenly disappeared how they could get him back, ha-ha.

1822 had fake external fuel tanks when she came back from depot in 1985..  And you couldn't expose the horse collar unless she was in the hangar.. or the leading edge for that matter...