Thursday, January 21, 1954
People
around here who might have been Inclined to feel like sitting ducks in the event
of enemy attack, are feeling a lot safer these days when they look up into the
blue and see the Super-Constellation, RC-121-C, jogging its way over Lower
Suburbia. The -121" as we aircraft experts casually refer to It, Is the
"flying radar station" that is scheduled to scan western skies around
the clock, flying out above the Pacific Ocean, far beyond the range of fixed
radar stations.
Lieutenant Colonel Russell E. Cheever, 2511 La France drive, Carmichael, who
commands the newly activated Airborne Early Warning and Control Squadron, In.
spires a certain amount of confidence himself. He hails from San Antonio, Texas,
Is In his late 30's, and has the look of an ex-footballer who knows how to back
up the line In the Interests of offense or defense, IT YOU Know what we mean.
Col. Cheever comes to McClellan Air Force Base from headquarters
of the Air Defense Command in Colorado Springs. During World War II he served on
Saipan with I the 73rd Bomber Wing under "Rosie" O'Donnell. Col.
Cheever explains the workings of the Super-Constellation as follows
"If an enemy should attack toward the West Coast, the new
USAF radar aircraft will spot the Invaders long before they reach present
detection zones. Ultrahigh frequency radios will transmit enemy strength,
direction, altitude, and speed to jet interceptors of the Air Defense Command,
guide the defenders to their target, and direct the attack on it."
The most striking first-glance features of the RC-121-C is the
humped back and bulging belly which have been added to the smooth silhouette of
a Super-Constellation to make room for specialized search and communications
equipment. An arched dome, eight feet high, protrudes from the top, above the
wings, looking like the dorsal fin of a sailfish. This houses a height-finder
radar antenna, to measure the altitude of an approaching enemy air fleet.
Under the fuselage bulges another dome carrying devices to
detect the speed, strength, and direction of approaching Invaders, whether
attacking by sea or air. Further equipment can detect, aryl if desired,
interfere with enemy radar and other broadcasts.
The Interior of the plane is equally unusual. In addition to
latest electronic equipment, full facilities are provided for a crew of 31 so
that key men can be relieved at their posts during long flights. Bunks can be
converted to davenports, seats are scientifically designed to reduce fatigue on
long missions and the galley is complete with refrigerator, sink with running
water, and grills for cooking I hot meals.
The new aircraft also reaches altitudes that give its radar
greater range than sea-level units of similar power.
It is also able to track weather disturbances and so improve storm warning
services.
With all of this, and the cozy assurance it gives us, we offer a
snappy military salute to the three local men who have the "121" and
its activities under their wing.
Lesser members of the 4701st, as lesser members are wont to do.
refer to their airplane as "the pregnant camel."
