USAF EC-121 Warning Star, ca.1950s-70s.

The Cold War Watchdog: The Lockheed EC-121 Warning Star was a military aircraft crucial for both the U.S. Navy and Air Force during the Cold War. Based on the civilian Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation airliner, it served as an airborne early warning and control system.

Spotting Threats from Above: Nicknamed "Connie" by Air Force crews and "Willie Victor" by Navy personnel (after the type's original "WV" designation), the Warning Star's most recognisable feature was its two large radar domes. The vertical radome on the top of the fuselage and the horizontal radome under the fuselage housed powerful radar systems. These allowed the aircraft to detect enemy aircraft at long ranges, extending the reach of ground-based radar systems like the Distant Early Warning Line. Besides early warning, the EC-121 was an excellent gatherer of electronic signals intelligence (SIGINT).

From Vietnam to Retirement: First introduced in 1954, the Warning Star served for over two decades. The U.S. Air Force used these aircraft for electronic reconnaissance in the Vietnam War, paving the way for later Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft such as the Boeing E-3 Sentry. While most EC-121s were retired by 1978, the U.S. Navy kept a single, specially modified electronic warfare version operational until 1982.

Reboxed Minicraft kit with new decals. Choice of 4 markings:
(1) USAF RC-121C 51-3836, Hamilton Field, ca.1955;
(2) USAF RC-121D, late 1950s;
(3) USAF EC-121R 67-21487 "Da Nang Glider", 553rd RS (553rd RW), Korat RTAFB, Thailand, June 1969;
(4) USAF EC-121R 67-21498, 553rd RS (553rd RW), Korat RTAFB, Thailand, December 1970.
Licensed by Lockheed Martin.

1:144 scale plastic model kit from Academy, requires paint and glue.