Name that Boeing.

Just a bit of fun,I'm sure Zaphod will be the first to answer this one.Going through my old airshow photos today,and in particular the Royal Air Tatoo at Fairford in 2006.What the hell is this C135 variant or what ever it is as I don't recall the navy ever having any?

a reply to: Imagewerx

In 2006 that probably would have been the E-6A TACAMO, since upgraded to the E-6B Mercury. The original mission was to be a communications relay using ELF/VLF signals to send messages to subs. The new mission is to be a Looking Glass type platform with a full battle staff. It could have been a B already too, either way, it's an E-6.

The Navy has had several C-135s. They tended to hang EW pods on them and fly them against Aegis. They also had DC-8s that did the same thing.

ETA: It's the B. The last B upgrade was December of 06. And for the purists, yes I know it was the Hermes, and TACAMO was the mission, but that's what we called both the EC-130 and E-6.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Thanks Zaph,4 minutes is a bit slow for you isn't it!

I hadn't heard of the concept of an aeroplane to relay ELF/VLF signals,and didn't know there were any US military DC8s.We don't get out much over here you know.

a reply to: Imagewerx

It takes me a few minutes to see the threads.

I'll go into more detail about it tonight when I have more time.

Woooo hooo,one of Zaph's history lessons!

Anyone else can join in you know,how about some more 'Name that Boeing' puzzles?

a reply to: Imagewerx

How about this one.....

originally posted by: Sammamishman
a reply to: Imagewerx

How about this one.....

It is written on the side....

en.wikipedia.org...

a reply to: hellobruce

Made you work for the full designation XCH-62 through.

a reply to: Imagewerx

How about another. Zaph I know you know this one.

a reply to: Imagewerx

....or how about this one:

originally posted by: Sammamishman
a reply to: Imagewerx

....or how about this one:

Is it the grotesque lovechild of a 707 and a Pilatus Turbo Porter?

originally posted by: Imagewerx

originally posted by: Sammamishman
a reply to: Imagewerx

....or how about this one:

Is it the grotesque lovechild of a 707 and a Pilatus Turbo Porter?

No, it's a Boeing 720 being used as a testbed for a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT-6 turboprop.

a reply to: F4guy

Bingo! For extra credit, what's the pod above the windscreen?

originally posted by: F4guy

originally posted by: Imagewerx

originally posted by: Sammamishman
a reply to: Imagewerx

....or how about this one:

Is it the grotesque lovechild of a 707 and a Pilatus Turbo Porter?

No, it's a Boeing 720 being used as a testbed for a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT-6 turboprop.

So I was right about the engine from a Turbo Porter.

a reply to: Imagewerx

They also used it to test smaller engines that they would hang off the side between the cockpit and first cabin door.

a reply to: Sammamishman

Relocated weather radar?

a reply to: Northernhollow

Yup!

a reply to: Sammamishman

I'm always sad they didn't build this one. The YC-14 and the -15 were both ugly as sin but neat airplanes.

a reply to: Zaphod58

I always thought it looked like a foot ball player with huge shoulder pads.

a reply to: Sammamishman

Yeah it does. They both worked pretty well though. The YC-14 proved capable of carrying an M60 tank, and flying at 68 mph during the flyoff.