I was the 10th enlisted man assigned to VW-11 in Pax River, 1955. Did 2 tours in Argentia, 56 & 57. Was an ADR-3. We saw the first Willie Victors come in right from the factory. Great airplane and great crews. There are 9 of us from VW-11 living in Minnesota that still get together.

I was an Electrician's Mate 2nd class at NADU So.Wey.Ma. in 58& 59. I remember meeting Jim Lines of Lockheed at that time.Also I set up a mock-up of the PB10 autopilot,and later did one for the guys at Otis AFB on the cape. Previous post of Ron Susi brings to mind a friend of mine who was a connie pilot who went out of Otis and was never heard from again. His name was Bob Baird You must have known him.

Was an AC on the Connie at Otis AFB from 1967 till they announced the closure of the base in the fall of 1969. Arrived in the summer of 67 just as they grounded the Connie for several months after a number of accidents out at sea. Found out it was the aircraft heating unit located in the wing route that was causing the fires. Enjoyed the great people and times at Otis. The Connie was a pleasure to fly and could go through all kinds of weather. Had icing of station that some times the de-icing boots couldn't break so we had to drop down the lower altitudes to melt it off. Then fly back up into the weather. Had a lot of nasty weather flying in and out of Iceland. All in all got a lot of flying time, experience, and enjoyed Otis.

ANYONE KNOW WHERE WV2 PM7 IS NOW I SAW IT DMAFB TUCSON AZ IN JUNE 2000 WITH A NEW PAINT
I would likew knowit is now.

I flew on both wv-1 and wv-2 when stationed on Guam set 57 to may 59. I was assigned PM 7 as a radar operator and operated the folk with engine adapter changed a few engines pulled few sumps and striners the engines and removedand installed a few MAGIES .
I woiuld like to heard any else onm PM_&

I flew onboth the

Boy I could write a book. Jan 1953 to Aug. 1959. 552 PM Sq. McClellan AFB Sacramento Caif. I worked on our 'pregnet guppys' You name it I did it, on them. Best time of my life. Checked one out just last Sat. It was one that I had did the paint job on before going on display. Also checked out one of the 3350 exaust turbo compound engines that was on display. I remember the time that all 4 engines had to be changedall the same time, because of time. I remember the 18 hour missions going now here just boring holes in the sky.

First Flight in the Connie VQ-2 was with Dennis Bourn as my 1st Radioman. Made a trip with him were we bought Honda 305 Motorcycles. Traveled the Med, Europe, and Scandinvia in that Good old Gal. Buno's 131390, 131391, and 135757 EC121M's gave me 2300 Hours in 2.5 years. Then to VXN8 Det WestPac for 250 hours in RN7V Blue Eagle Aircraft at DaNang and Siagon, Radio and TV Transmitters.
Ronald A. Miller CWO4/ATNAN-ATCS

Served 1958-1962, USN. Completed AT school Millington, TN to Pax River, MD,to VW-2 (decomissioned), to AEWTULANT. ATN 2, Radioman/Radio Repair. Flew lots of hours on 145941 (last Connie built.) Did DEW Line patrols, deployed to Sigonilla, Sicialy, NASA contingency search and recovery for Project Mercury flights and other related missions. Favorite "gedunk run" was to Seattle WA World Fair. Lots of good memories, lots of fun. Hello to any of my shipmates who might be reading. I stay in touch with several Willy Victor sailors via ham radio, Sunday 22:00Z on 40 meters, 7.244 mhz. Join us if you can.
Proud to have served during the Cold War, helping to defend our FREEDOM. Fly Navy!!!

I was stationed at McClellan AFB ,Sacramento,Ca. From FEB 1962 to Jul 1967 & I was assigned 552nd OMS,and later was the crew chief on 0414.I was constantly gone TDY someplace.
The designation RC-121-D was what I started with and was later changed to EC-121D. This aircraft was sweet. I remember one time flying from Tianan AS, Tiawan to Tonsoneut Air Base, Siagon and we were flying into a weather front when we were struck by lightning,knocking out our galley,so we had to eat most of the food so not to loose it. My AC was Capt Figuro & Capt Smith. We had a lot fo good times.Anybody out there that was with the 552nd OMS from Feb-62 to Jul-67 contact me,I served with a bunch of good guys

flew in wv2 vw 11 1956 to 1960 we had 5 crashes one at pax river two on the runway at argentia one short of the runway one lost north of the azores never found can someone else tell me more about any of these

I only had 13 months left of my 4 year hitch,coming from Point Mugu.At Mugu I flew in C-54, C-45 and UH34 Helos. Mugu had EC-121,s, assigned to Pacific Missle Range.When I got to Guam, I worked in the Maintenance Shack for 6 months.I was assigned to Crew 6 for the duration. It was a blast.Sangley Point, Marie T's,Taipei,Atsugi,Chu Lai and Danang. I never flew any Barriers.They asked me to and I asked what would I do for 22 hours? Chief Eastman said I would cook. I promptly said "no thanks", I'll stay in Danang and keep the San Miguel cold.Great site,thanks 3/69-5/70

I only had 13 months left of my 4 year hitch,coming from Point Mugu.At Mugu I flew in C-54, C-45 and UH34 Helos. Mugu had EC-121,s, assigned to Pacific Missle Range.When I got to Guam, I worked in the Maintenance Shack for 6 months.I was assigned to Crew 6 for the duration. It was a blast.Sangley Point, Marie T's,Taipei,Atsugi,Chu Lai and Danang. I never flew any Barriers.They asked me to and I asked what would I do for 22 hours? Chief Eastman said I would cook. I promptly said "no thanks", I'll stay in Danang and keep the San Miguel cold.Great site,thanks

I was a crew member on EC-121R model Connies, Crew #40 at Korat, Thailand, 553rd and then at Otis AFB in EC-121H model Connies. As my friend, Denny Phillips says.....great bird !!

I am looking for the Eastern Super Constellation that flew out of Havana on January 1, 1959. My mother-in-law as on that plane. My 6th graders are studying the Revolution and I just wanted more information. Thanks

I had the very distinct privilege of piloting the greatest piston engine airplane ever. I a retired Naval Aviator and my romance with the "Willy Victor" began at NAS Johnsville followed by tours in VW-13, Junior PPC, VW-4, VXE-6 (C-121J) and NAS Glynco. I logged over 6000 pilot hours in this magnificent airplane. Retired in 1975 and I truly miss the old bird.

I see Earl Conro's name, as flight engineer. I was on Halladay's crew #2 in VW-13 from Jan 1964 thru July 1965. Remember a bunch of the crews since I worked in flight logs when back in Arg. Have only kept contact with Jimmy Holper. I got to go to Oslo, Prestwick, Gander and Penscola while there. Got quite a few color slides and imagine I will have Conro in some of them. Memory is not all that great. Riker and Kivula were the CICS officers in the back. Still have all my flight logs from those time. Went onto be a carrier jockey in VS 31 off CVS-18 home ported in Boston. A few lifetime ago.

I don't have much flight experience with the RC121 or thw WV2 awacs Connies.My association with these aircraft was as follows. In the early 1950's,five of us were tranferred from the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation Radar Lab to Lockheed Aircraft Service for the main purpose of preparing the first units for delivery to the Air Force and Navy.. We spent considerable operating time with both the APS 20 and APS 45 Radar systems. Some one in the comments I have read, mentioned having to replace the APS 20 Magnetron. You had to use Beryilium tools the magnetic attraction was excessive for the steel tools,..Spent many hours on the ground and to few in the air...

Does anyone know about a possible Navy Connie crash near Kanton Island in the Phoenix Island group? It occurred on or around 4/26/1962. I have found no record of it yet a dear person I know said her dad died in this crash. It could have happened somewhere between Kanton Island and Fiji or right at the base that existed at the time,.

i was in nAS Glynco 1961 / 1964 worked on the 6 constallations 143221 is now in the air muesun in pensacola fla. a little rust but still looks good.