4950th Test Wing - Aircraft Flown

Aircraft Flown

• Boeing C-18A (81-0896, 81-0898)
• Boeing EC-18B/D (81-0891, 81-0892, 81-0893, 81-0894, 81-0895)
• Boeing NKC-135A (55-3120, 55-3122, 55-3123, 55-3124, 55-3127, 55-3131)
• Boeing NKC-135E (55-3135)
• Boeing EC-135E (60-0372, 60-0374, 60-0375, 61-0326, 61-0328, 61-0329, 61-0330)
• Lockheed NC-141A 61-2775, 61-2776, 61-2777, 61-2779

Aircraft 61-2775, 776, and 777 were pre-production prototypes. These aircraft had multiple subtle differences evolved during design, most notable was the main crew door, which was hinged on the top and opened outward from the bottom. These aircraft were never fitted with air refueling capability and were never converted to C-141Bs. Aircraft specifics:

• 61-2775 was the first C-141 to enter service. She was named "First of the Fleet"; now on static display at the Air Mobility Command Museum at Dover AFB, DE.

• 61-2776 was named the "Desert Rat" by her Crew Chiefs, TSgt Patrick Goss and SrA Derek Whisler for her participation in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. She was mainly configured for Central Inertial Guidance Test Facility (CIGTF) missions and regularly performed cargo operations and unique missions such as "ARIA Rescue". She was retired to the bone yard at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ and "guillotined".

• 61-2777 was named "The Gambler" by her Crew Chief, WG-13 Sam Brasel. She had a large 'tail can or beer can' appendage added to support tests of various tail-warning detector sensor systems, as well as a side-mounted radome 'bubble' for testing side-looking radars. She was also retired to the bone yard at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ and "guillotined".

• 61-2779 was the second aircraft of the production fleet (61-2778 was first; which was stretched to a "B" model). Named "Against the Wind" by her Crew Chief, WG-13 Paul Laemers (an avid Bob Seger fan from Detroit). 779 was heavily modified to become the Advanced Radar Test Bed (ARTB). Structural modifications included a 'universal nose' which could be interchanged with B-1, F-15, and F-16 nose radomes and radar system housings to support in-flight instrumented radar testing. Racks of interface electronics, computers, data recorders, and operator stations filled the cargo compartment. 61-2779 had the roll up crew entry door that was common to the C-141 fleet. After her retirement, 61-2779 was put on static display at Edwards AFB, CA.
• Lockheed C-130A (55-0022, 55-0024, 57-0461 & one other)
• North American/Rockwell/Sabreliner CT-39A (62-4463)
• North American/Rockwell/Sabreliner NT-39A (59-2870, 59-2873)
• North American/Rockwell/Sabreliner T-39B (59-2874, 60-3474, 60-3475, 60-3476, 60-3477)
• Cessna T-37B (60-0141)

Section updated by Sgt Rob Schultz (FMS Engine Shop/4953rd AMU, 1986-1992), 26 Apr 2011