Skull Leader Posted January 19, 2022 Share Posted January 19, 2022 (edited) After conversing with st0rm on the matter and unable to find definitive answers, I turn to the masses.... I'm building an Arkansas KC-135A (of which, at best, ive found maybe 5 reference photos of the 189th during their ARW days) and upon doing more research of A models, it seems some had the aerial wire that ran from the tail to the front of the fuselage and some did not. I can't find any rhyme or reason for this... I know that thanks to modelers license, I can build it however I want but I'm left curious about it. It doesn't seem time-dependent.... later shamu-colored A models didn't have them (the ones I've seen anyhow) while some of the older silver or ADC gray ones did.... conversely, every modern 135R I can see on the ramp at McConnell has the wire. I'm probably gonna wind up adding the aerial wire, but was just curious if anyone could clue me in? Edited January 19, 2022 by Skull Leader Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Da SWO Posted January 19, 2022 Share Posted January 19, 2022 Sounds like a HF radio antennae. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fiddler Posted January 19, 2022 Share Posted January 19, 2022 Weren't these Qs? And the Rs were retrofitted to have the secure comms as a standard, so that might be it, however I'm just guessing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andyf117 Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 (edited) Don't know if any or all of these five are the ones you've seen, but no aerial wire appears visible on this very plain A-model at Mildenhall in 1977: https://www.airhistory.net/photo/283037/57-1494/71494 Nor on this one in 1979: Or on these dated 1980 and 1981 respectively: https://www.airliners.net/photo/USA-Air-Force/Boeing-KC-135A-Stratotanker-717-148/1662077/L https://www.airliners.net/photo/USA-Air-Force/Boeing-KC-135A-Stratotanker-717-148/684630/L Nor on this later shot of 71494 again: It doesn't help with your question, and they're Es, but: Edited January 20, 2022 by andyf117 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CF104 Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 On 1/19/2022 at 12:04 PM, Skull Leader said: After conversing with st0rm on the matter and unable to find definitive answers, I turn to the masses.... I'm building an Arkansas KC-135A (of which, at best, ive found maybe 5 reference photos of the 189th during their ARW days) and upon doing more research of A models, it seems some had the aerial wire that ran from the tail to the front of the fuselage and some did not. I can't find any rhyme or reason for this... I know that thanks to modelers license, I can build it however I want but I'm left curious about it. It doesn't seem time-dependent.... later shamu-colored A models didn't have them (the ones I've seen anyhow) while some of the older silver or ADC gray ones did.... conversely, every modern 135R I can see on the ramp at McConnell has the wire. I'm probably gonna wind up adding the aerial wire, but was just curious if anyone could clue me in? The wire you're talking about appears to be a receive only HF antenna. See the link to a pdf for the RC-135. On page 3 it shows all of the unclassified external antennas which includes the receive only cable HF wire. The stinger on the vertical stab is the main HF radio antenna with receive/transmit capabilities. Obviously there's a reason to have a receive only HF antenna wire but I can't find it. RC-135 Aerodynamics PDF Cheers, John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 (edited) 16 hours ago, CF104 said: The wire you're talking about appears to be a receive only HF antenna. See the link to a pdf for the RC-135. On page 3 it shows all of the unclassified external antennas which includes the receive only cable HF wire. The stinger on the vertical stab is the main HF radio antenna with receive/transmit capabilities. Obviously there's a reason to have a receive only HF antenna wire but I can't find it. RC-135 Aerodynamics PDF Cheers, John John is correct. The aerial is a receive only HF aerial for the Chrome Dome airborne alert notification system. All transmissions were automatically switched through the AN/CRM-114 Discriminator for proper code verification. Previous failures of this system and the fact that larger Minuteman arsenals and better early warning changed the surprise attack calculus obviated the need for airborne alerts. A final accident in January 1968 ended the Chrome Dome missions altogether. The equipment became redundant and was superseded by newer digital radio equipment and was removed as airframes went through depot maintenance during the 1980s, although some airframes were not fully modified until the 1990s. Though it was retained on the RC-135 series aircraft as a discrete means for the SAC commander to maintain a "private" real-time channel with the RC-135 crew. HTH! Dutch🤪 Edited January 21, 2022 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spruemeister Posted January 22, 2022 Share Posted January 22, 2022 Good info, Dutch. Rick L. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dennis the peasant Posted January 23, 2022 Share Posted January 23, 2022 On 1/21/2022 at 9:13 AM, Dutch said: All transmissions were automatically switched through the AN/CRM-114 Discriminator for proper code verification. Yet another effort to sap our Precious Bodily Fluids. Cheers, Dennis Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Skull Leader Posted January 24, 2022 Author Share Posted January 24, 2022 Thanks for the info, guys! I think I can safely pass on adding the wire to my jet and save the skills-flex for a future project lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 All kidding aside with my references to Dr. Strangelove, I just took a lunch time stroll by the flight line and noticed that 3 of the closest 6 KC-135Rs still have the wire aerial from about the mid-point of the tail leading edge to a slightly backward slanted post on the upper starboard fuselage well behind the cockpit. I didn't note the serials as I had the sun in front of me, but I will now say that it is definitely serial number specific as to which aircraft had the aerial deleted and on which it remained. Check your photos! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Mullany Posted May 14, 2023 Share Posted May 14, 2023 I worked on comm systems on KC-135's and B-52G's at Beale AFB in 1969. Changed HF antenna coupler at top of KC vertical stabilizer behind the forward-pointing HF antenna probe. Panel to remove was literally horseshoe over the top of tail. I was alone at night and barely knew how to operate the high lift (cherry picker). Anyway... I do not recall ever seeing or knowing about a long wire antenna on the KC models there at the time. Steve M. in California, not registered, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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