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Author Topic: Spotted at the airport E-6B Mercury  (Read 1416 times)

Hutch

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Spotted at the airport E-6B Mercury
« on: January 27, 2012, 07:37:34 PM »
This bad boy had just taken off from XNA (ain't saying', look it up).  I asked the rental car lot jockey what it was.  As luck would have it, he knew.  I visited Wikipedia, and learned that is the current version of the "Looking Glass" airborne command and control platform.

Reckon why it has been hanging around NW Arkansas?  There were only ever 16 made.  Hmmm... Maybe Walmart really IS running things now. =D
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BobR

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Re: Spotted at the airport E-6B Mercury
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2012, 12:01:42 AM »
Could have been a Navy version over from Tinker AFB doing pilot training or picking up reservists for their weekend drill. Go search around on the term TACAMO.

We get them (and the AF 747) out here at Fairchild AFB on a regular basis.

bob
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roo_ster

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Re: Spotted at the airport E-6B Mercury
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2012, 01:41:40 AM »
Why would they choose the 707 air frame in the 1980s?
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wmenorr67

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Re: Spotted at the airport E-6B Mercury
« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2012, 01:53:30 AM »
Because they already had been using 707's for AWAC's.  Knew it was a reliable airframe for the needed mission.
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kgbsquirrel

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Re: Spotted at the airport E-6B Mercury
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2012, 03:27:04 AM »
Because Boeing was already tooled up for that airframe, and the military already had the support infrastructure and trained people for it, making it cheaper than adopting a totally new air frame. Notice the new engines though? Also they reportedly dropped in OTS avionics and cockpit systems from the 737 to update it all.
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birdman

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Re: Spotted at the airport E-6B Mercury
« Reply #5 on: February 05, 2012, 08:56:24 AM »
Quote from: wmenorr67 on January 28, 2012, 01:53:30 AM
Because they already had been using 707's for AWAC's.  Knew it was a reliable airframe for the needed mission.

Why did the navy choose the 767 for TACAMO then?  Similar TEOTWAWKI mission...
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wmenorr67

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Re: Spotted at the airport E-6B Mercury
« Reply #6 on: February 05, 2012, 10:24:54 AM »
Quote from: birdman on February 05, 2012, 08:56:24 AM
Why did the navy choose the 767 for TACAMO then?  Similar TEOTWAWKI mission...

They didn't.  This is the aircraft for that mission and it is based on the 707.
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There are five things, above all else, that make life worth living: a good relationship with God, a good woman, good health, good friends, and a good cigar.

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.  One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

Bacon is the candy bar of meats!

Only the dead have seen the end of war!

BobR

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Re: Spotted at the airport E-6B Mercury
« Reply #7 on: February 05, 2012, 10:29:33 AM »
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birdman

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Re: Spotted at the airport E-6B Mercury
« Reply #8 on: February 05, 2012, 04:05:15 PM »
Quote from: wmenorr67 on February 05, 2012, 10:24:54 AM
They didn't.  This is the aircraft for that mission and it is based on the 707.

CRAP!  I hate it when I am wrong.  You are right.   Dammit.
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cassandra and sara's daddy

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Re: Spotted at the airport E-6B Mercury
« Reply #9 on: February 05, 2012, 04:19:11 PM »
I hate it when I am wrong.


not married then? >:D
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