Which C-130 Variant ?

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14 years

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I'm sure someone can tell me what variant of C-130 this is, from Davis Monthan AFB ?.
Taken in 2000 at Mildenhall. I assume the wires are antennas, but what is the trapeze like framework
underneath ?

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13 years

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73-1590/DM EC-130H 355th Wing, so not an MC-130E.

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14 years

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I did think it might be for Drone recovery, but there would need to be some accurate flying to avoid the props.

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10 years 7 months

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I'm sure someone can tell me what variant of C-130 this is, from Davis Monthan AFB ?.
Taken in 2000 at Mildenhall. I assume the wires are antennas, but what is the trapeze like framework
underneath ?

EC-130H Compass Call (electronic warfare) variant.

Member for

16 years

Posts: 353

EC-130H Compass Call (electronic warfare) variant.

Concur with EC-130 and a signals intelligence antenna. The "trapeze" aft of the ramp helps keep the aft antenna in shape. This tail mounted array is known informally as the "Cheese Grater" for obvious reasons.

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18 years 10 months

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Exactly - you can see the lower wire arrays attach to the corners of that structure.

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Thanks gentlemen. After nearly 14yrs, I finally find out what it was I took a photo of !

According to Wikiwhatsit: "....The system attempts to disrupt enemy command and control communications and
limits adversary coordination essential for enemy force management..."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_EC-130H_Compass_Call

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Regarding the "...Fulton surface-to-air recovery system...", I believe this was primarily designed for recovering downed aircrew in Vietnam.
Does anyone know if it was used much in that conflict ?

I remember seeing it demonstrated at an airshow (using a dummy), at Bentwaters I think.

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16 years

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Regarding the "...Fulton surface-to-air recovery system...", I believe this was primarily designed for recovering downed aircrew in Vietnam.
Does anyone know if it was used much in that conflict ?

I remember seeing it demonstrated at an airshow (using a dummy), at Bentwaters I think.

I do not think the Fulton was ever used for a Vietnam shoot down rescue. Special ops yes, aircrew rescue no. This source, "PJ's in Vitenam" says it was not used for operational recoveries. Seems the ballon was a give away to the enemy. Helicopters were rpeferred. page 224. http://books.google.com/books?id=kAI-VBk8K8gC&pg=PA223&lpg=PA223&dq=fulton+recovery+system++used+in+vietnam&source=bl&ots=xvUYfxmEVE&sig=8OpYLzHMIsUGmwvmHcJL3GWM630&hl=en&sa=X&ei=WE8XU4CBMayO1AGmsYHQAg&ved=0CCEQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=fulton%20&f=false