EC-121 at Airfete

[quid21]

I seem to recall seeing an EC-121 Warning Star at Airfete - however I can't find any photographic evidence other than in 1978 - yet I was two then, and the airfete I attended were in 1984, '86 and '88 (and all the rest from 1990 onwards.

Am I misremembering? Or did one appear in 1984 or 1986?

[Thunder]

Pretty sure all were retired by 1982, the USAF retired there’s by 1978.

[Dave Smith]

How does 54-2307 on 16 August - 1978 grab you?

[iainpeden]

I remember going on it but would have to check back as to date.

[skippyscage]

AFAIK 1978 was the last time one was at Air Fete (I took a crappy shot lol)

[luxto]

I went on board it on Friday 25 August'78, the day before the show. It arrived from Keflavik where the AFRES/79thAEWS had an EC-121 detachment until about December'78. Not sure when the 552ndAW&CW E-3's took over the Iceland operation but it was around December'78/January'79.

[Andyph]

I went on it too. It was the first military aircraft I went in - aged 9.
Then sat in a OV-10
lovely memories

[IanM]

I attended all the air fetes since 1978 and only remember one attending, and that was in 1978. From memory I believe it returned to Keflavik after the show and returned home to Homestead AFB the following week before flying into retirement at DM a month later.
Ian

[Kestrel]

It certainly was 54-2307. I too went on board on the Saturday. The crew said it was its last visit to Europe and was soon to be retired and replaced by the new Boeing E-3!

[fisherman]

Photos from the start of my 1978 visit and report on the Air Fete, not only a fabulous visitor for the show but the fashion of the time is quite interesting.

Regards, Mike Fisher.

https://legendarymilavia.blogspot.com/2 ... -1978.html

[iainpeden]

Mike, those photos bring back some great memories; and yes, I would have been wearing flared Levi’s!

[Yorker]

Great photos and fashion content!

As I recall Keflavik Connies always used the same callsign when coming to the UK - 'Adola 01'.

[luxto]

Great photos and fashion content!

As I recall Keflavik Connies always used the same callsign when coming to the UK - 'Adola 01'.

I certainly remember the "Adola" part.

[Alanm28]

I trolled reports from Scrambles old show reports and can’t see anything after 78

[Bilvo]

How does 54-2307 on 16 August - 1978 grab you?

Correct! A black and white photo of which is published in "Mildenhall Air Shows 1956 - 87" by the Norfolk Aviation Society credited to A. Annis

[quid21]

Thanks for the replies! It must have been something else I remember. Who knows what!!

[Cobraball]

Remember it well and this should keep those memories alive.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266278539906

[MikeH]

I took a couple of photos of 54-2307 at the 'Air Fete '78' after everyone had left. It seems that evening light wasn't the best for Kodachrome. EC-121-Mildenhall-54-2307-26AU78 by Michael Hall, on Flickr

EC-121-Mildenhall-54-2307-2-26AU78 by Michael Hall, on Flickr

[Vulture 01]

There was a Constellation that turned up at Flying Legends in the '80's. I think it came from South Africa, but, memory fades.....!

[teeonefixer]

I always had an old pals reunion when I lived in Cambridge which as timed for the Air Fete. One of them was a pilot who had joined the FAA and, on entering the EC121 and asking pertinent questions, we were soon ushered off !!