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Need Help Identifying RC-135 Antennas


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So I'm have some luck fabricating the lumps and bumps on the various RC-135's I'm building but I'm having trouble figuring out what all the different antennas are that festoon the backs of the latest versions. More specifically the Rivet Joints and Cobra Balls that are flying out of Offutt AFB. Attached are some links to pics to show what I'm looking to find out. I need to scratch build all these and it would help to know what they are so I can figure out their shapes and dimensions.

Rivet Joint antenna farm: http://fineartameric...roductions.html

http://www.af.mil/Ab...ivet-joint.aspx

https://upload.wikim...Rivet_Joint.jpg

Cobra Ball antennas: https://upload.wikim...d_at_Offutt.jpg

https://theaviationi...tag/cobra-ball/

http://www.fighterco...p?f=16&p=270713

Thanks in advance. Don

Edited by Drifterdon
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Hmm...the ones along the top with the round disc are SATCOM antennas (had those on the E-6B), you can see that not all aircraft are configured with the same number as well...the aircraft rotate in and out of mod at different intervals, etc. as new capabilities are acquired.

I'm not an EC/RC-135 guy, but the antennas are directly linked to the gear they are part of (makes sense...), much of which is classified I'm sure...you might have to just eyeball them for size. I do know that the SATCOM antennas that come in the "Flightpath" E-6A conversion set are oversized.

Maybe try to catch one at an airshow for some "walk around" pics.

Edited by 82Whitey51
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I don't know that my "observation and opinion" is of much help.

Like Whitey, I see a number of satcom "frisbee's", 2 3 or 4 tall VHF blade antennas and a long wire antenna from mid verticle stab to left of center, forward of emergency exit. The wire is possibly HF, maaaybe ADF. As for the other lumps and bumps, I have no idea.

A personal thank you for not posting pictures of the belly antenna farm. I probably couldn't identify anything other than one or two VHF blade antennas.

C2j

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A personal thank you for not posting pictures of the belly antenna farm. I probably couldn't identify anything other than one or two VHF blade antennas.

I'm guessing that those are definitely of a classified nature and wouldn't even begin to speculate on what they are or do. Most are in the shadows and I guess it makes sense to just leave them there. :thumbsup:/>

Thanks guys for the help.

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I'm guessing that those are definitely of a classified nature and wouldn't even begin to speculate on what they are or do. Most are in the shadows and I guess it makes sense to just leave them there.

I can tell you exactly what they are. The round ones are - hold on, someone is knocking at my door... :wasntme:

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A LOOONG time ago, I spent a very snowy winter day on top of a command post -135 installing one of those Frisbees. My mind says it's made by Dorne-Margolin. But doing a web search I cannot find any references to it. It looks like FT Harris now carries these as "legacy" antennae.

Edited by majortomski
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I'm guessing that those are definitely of a classified nature and wouldn't even begin to speculate on what they are or do. Most are in the shadows and I guess it makes sense to just leave them there. :thumbsup:/>/>

Thanks guys for the help.

From a modeling standpoint, no one cares what these antennas do, just what shape / color / dimensions they are. These aircraft are present at open houses and are very well documented by aviation photographers, including some on ARC. There are zero OPSEC issues in sharing this info.

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From a modeling standpoint, no one cares what these antennas do, just what shape / color / dimensions they are.

Pretty much exactly what I was trying to find out. Shape, color and most of all dimensions since I'll have to scratch build these.

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