U.S. Air Force photo by Greg L. Davis, 04OCT2019.
This rudderless and engine-less EC-135E has risen from the ashes of retirement not once, but twice.
USAF photo by Greg L. Davis, 04OCT2019.
An electronic warfare version of the venerable Boeing C-135 family of aircraft, EC-135E #61-0329 (tail code 10329) was first retired to Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, as a rudderless ‘battle damage’ repair trainer.
USAF photo by Greg L. Davis, 29APR2019.
In the above pic you can see the bare metal area around the nose indicating where the original ‘Snoopy’ nose was hung.
USAF photo by Greg L. Davis, 29APR2019.
In 2019, instead of scrapping the chock-ful-of patches bird, 61-0329 was again reborn but this time as a fire fighter trainer.
USAF photo by Greg L. Davis, 04OCT2019.
Unveiled on 04OCT2019. ‘Never Forget 343’ titles honor the 343 firefighters killed during the attacks during 11SEP2001.
USAF photo by Greg L. Davis, 04OCT2019.
USAF photo by Greg L. Davis, 04OCT2019.
USAF photo by Greg L. Davis, 04OCT2019.
USAF photo by Greg L. Davis, 04OCT2019.
Apparently EC-135Es were re-engined EC-135Ns.
Tail code 10329 in its final days as a Snoopy.
EC-135Es were officially called ARIA (Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft) , but were better known as ‘Snoopy’ because of their bulbous noses.
10329 in its glorious 2nd incarnation as a Snoopy. Notice the different jet engines. Its 1st incarnation was as a C-135 cargo hauler.
AMtech issued a 1:72 scale EC-135N/E. There are some fit problems and you need to strengthen the wing to prevent drooping. It is out of production.
The ancient Nova vacformed 1:72 KC-135 came with optional parts to make several EC versions, but not the bulbous Snoopy nose.
In 1:144, Welsh Models makes a Snoopy conversion.
National Museum of the United States Air Force: EC-135E ARIA explainer
For an even more detailed explainer visit Air Force Space & Missile Museum
Vehicle I-D: KC-135 CITY OF DERBY
D-DAY KC-135, ‘HUNDRED PROOF’ & OTHER NOSE ARTS
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