Batcat
Service Technician
Maintenance Page
553rd EMS, 553rd FMS and 553rd OMS

The information on this page was originally on the opening Batcat page.  As the material increased I decided to move the information to its own page. This also allows for a better method to add additional information..

Service Technician Maintenance page moved to its own page 02/18/07, Last Updated 11/22/09.

553rd EC-121R Maintenance
Keeping the EC-121R's flying
required skilled, experienced
and dedicated service technicians

553rd Reconnaissance Wing EMS
in Ground Combat - Purple Heart
While air crews flew combat missions every day, they didn't encounter the enemy directly. Members of the 553rd Electronic Maintenance Squadron (EMS) did encounter the Viet Cong enemy directly while TDY to South Vietnam. Read how TSgt. John Linaburg was wounded at Nui Ba Den mountain. TSgt. John Linaburg, 553rd EMS, was the first and only member of the 553rd Reconnaissance Wing to be awarded the Purple Heart for combat wounds. Article written by 553rd Com Shop OIC Ron Cox. Added 10/18/09. New Images added showing 553rd EMS at Nui Ba Den mountain - Ron Cox sent these after action photographs sapper attack. This image shows SSgt. Saltzen with living quarters on the left, the relay van on the right, B&W, about 117KB. Getting the Damaged Relay Van ready for Airlift back to Korat RTAFB, B&W, about 96KB. A second van on the mountain was the severly damaged maintenance van, B&W, about 162KB. 553rd EMS technicians serviced the equipment in the relay van. While preparing the relay van for airlift back to Korat, this unexploded sapper charge was found! This is the type of explosive charge planted by the Viet Cong to blow up the vans. B&W, about 184KB. This image shows the mountain the Viet Cong climbed to attack the vans, B&W, about 143KB. This image shows the view from the relay van position with its overview of the Mekong Delta. Mekong River in upper part of the image. B&W, about 172KB. My thanks to Ron Cox for sending these photographs. Images Added 11/22/09.

The 553rd Maintenance Squadrons
worked from this Hangar and these Shops
Here is a view of the 553rd Maintenance Hangar at Korat. My thanks to Bill Holbrook for providing this photograph to scan. Added 01/30/00, color, about 151K.

A view inside of the Maintenance Hangar looking out at the ramp. My thanks to Bob Langenhan for providing this image. Added 07/05/08, B&W, about 54K.

The Engine Test Stand used to ground test the Wright R-3350 engines after major work. The 553rd FMS Propeller shop is on the right side of the image. My thanks to Bill Holbrook for lending me this photograph to scan. Added 01/30/00, color, about 206K.

These are the 553rd EMS Squadron Shops at Korat RTAFB. My thanks to Bill Holbrook for sending me the photograph to scan. Added 1/30/00, color, about 41K.

553rd Electronic Maintenance Squadron
Automatic Data Relay (ADR) Shop
The ADR equipment was initially maintained by civilians. Here is an image of an ADR under test, technician unknown. The ADR equipment relayed the sensor data picked up by Batcat EC-121R aircraft to Nakhom Phanom when in line of sight of NKP RTAFB, infiltration center. My thanks to Arley Hamilton, 553rd EMS Communications shop, for this image. B&W, about 128K. Added 02/16/09.

553rd Electronic Maintenance Squadron
Communications Shop
The primary UHF communications equipment on the EC-121R was the ARC-27. There were also ARC-51BX radios on board as well, along with Wilcox 807 VHF and Collins HF radios. Here is an overview of the radio shop, B&W, about 147K. These next two images show Sgt. Charlie Dawson, B&W, about 205K, and an ARC-27 UHF radio under repair, B&W, about 204K. Note the physical size of the radio. My thanks to Arley Hamilton, 553rd EMS Communications shop, for these images. Added 02/16/09.

553rd Electronic Maintenance Squadron
Navigation Shop
This view shows a ARN-21 TACAN unit under repair and alignment at the Korat EMS Nav shop bench. Photo taken in January 1968 showing Ed Thurston, who provided the image, making the adjustments. TACAN, short for Tactical Air Navigation, was the primary source of aircraft position while in flilght. B&W, about 128K. Added 03/16/08.

This view shows the EMS Shop with TSgt. Gornto on the left, and SSgt. Hill on the right. Photo taken in January 1968. My thanks to Ed Thurston who provided the image. B&W, about 101K. Added 03/16/08.

553rd Electronic Maintenance Squadron
Radar Shop
This view shows the APS-42 Radar shop at Korat. Here are the names of those who worked the radar shop. This image shows Jerry Cunning standing next to a APS-42 Radar. APS-42 Radar shop is color, about 58K, Jerry Cunning with radar image is B&W, about 70K. Both images courtesy of Jerry Cunning. Added 02/24/08.

This view shows a APS-42 Radar unit under repair by MSgt. Spencer. Photo taken in January 1968. My thanks to Ed Thurston who provided the image. B&W, about 135K. Added 03/16/08.

553rd Field Maintenance Squadron
Electric Shop
In the shop - this views shows the FMS Electric Shop at Korat where a dc generator is being repaired.  Shown left to right are Ron Brunnabend, Charles Martel, Underdown, and Chuck Silverstein with the cigarette on the right. Image courtesy of Peter Eastman. Color, about 52K, added 03/03/02.

553rd Field Maintenance Squadron
Environmental Shop
This is an USAF official photograph of the 553rd FMS Environmental Shop at Korat RTAFB 1968-1971. Seated at the desk is TSgt. Floyd E. Moody NCOIC, seated at the left side of the desk is SSgt. Storey, standing at the file cabinet is SSgt. Jackson, standing next to the clock is A2C Spears, seated behind the table is SSgt. Maurice Ledoux, and standing behind the tableis SSgt. Harris.  Environmental shop handled pressurization and air conditioning (which was very important with all the electronics in the EC-121R). My thanks to Greg Krzyzak for providing the actual photograph, he gave it to me at the reunion. Added 07/8/01, names updated 07/10/05, B&W, about 146K.

553rd Field Maintenance Squadron
Propreller Shop
This image, propshop.jpg  is a view of the inside of the Prop Shop, another image,  propguys.jpg, show the technicians on the hangar floor who kept the propellers working!  Here is a list of the Prop Image Names for both images.  Images and names provided by Bob Keeyes, who worked on the EC-121R propellers at Korat. Propshop images B&W, about 30K, propguys image about 34K, Added 10/23/01.

An image of the original FMS propeller shop personel 1967 to 1968. Here is a list of the names of the first prop shop personel. My thanks to Vernie Andricks for this image and the names. B&W, about 136K, Added 09/29/08.

Here are two more images showing the First Prop Shop Personel view 1 and First Prop Shop Personel view 2. Both are B&W, about 152K and 129K. Names of those shown in image andricks03.jpg. My thanks to Vernie Andricks for these images, and to Bob Keeyes for the names on image andricks03.jpg. Added 09/29/08.

Here are three more Prop Shop images. First shows Vernie Andricks sitting on a trailer used to move propellers from the shop to the flight line, B&W, about 93K. Next image shows inside the Prop Shop with Vernie Andricks at the hydraulic test stand, B&W, about 114K. Here is an image of the entrance to the Prop Shop with SSgt. John Umgling, A2C Cobb, and Sgt. Perez. B&W, about 158K. My thanks to Vernie Andricks for these images, Added 09/29/08.

553rd Oganizational Maintenance Squadron

OMS handled aircraft service on the flight line and in the hangar.

Shown here are 3 views of Gordon Tatro standing next to an EC-121R Engine with the cowling open,  Standing on the ground under the engine with the cowling open and  Sitting on the engine with the cowling open. Gordon was assigned to the 553rd OMS at Korat.  These views show different close up views of the Wright R-3350, 18 cyclinder radial engine which powered by the EC-121R.  Behind Gordon is one of 3 power recovery turbines.  B&W, about 48K, 199K and 109K respectively. First added 11/04/01, updated 10/15/05.

Here are two service images. First is a view of a Connie inside the hangar with number 4 engine cowling open and propeller feathered. Second view if of a Connie on the ramp with the number 2 engine removed waiting for a quick engine change. My thanks to Bob Langenhan for providing this images. Added 07/05/08, both images B&W, about 51 and 45K respectively.

Maintenance crews worked around the clock to keep the EC-121R's flying. Shown here is Jim Barcus, on the right (sitting on the engine), and John Sluka (on the left) servicing a  R-3350 Master Control at Night.  Note that even at this late hour there is no need for a coat at Korat, Thailand.  Image courtsey of Jim Barcus. B&W, about 49K, added 11/08/01.

Engine Change on the Flight Line - the Wright R3350 engine which powered the Lockheed EC-121R was not the most reliable piston enigne built. This first view shows an Engine Just Removed. Note the engine and all accessories are removed at one time. This speeds up an engine change considerably. The second view shows an Engine Being positioned for Installation.  Propeller will be installed after the engine is secured. Image courtesy of Peter Eastman. Both the FMS and OMS groups together performed engine and propeller changes. Engine removed image is Color, about 58K, Engine Positioned image is Color, about 68K, added 03/25/02.

Servicing the EC-121R Inside the BIG hangar at Korat, an EC-121R under goes maintenance.  Multiple unique service stands are required to gain access to, and to permit inspection of the interior of the left wing. Second image shows the triple tail opened up for inspection.  Note the leading edge of the center vertical stabilizer is removed, along with the deicing boot, for better access.  This view gives an idea of how high off the ground the maintenance crews had to work to service the EC-121R.  Any higher and the Air Force would have no doubt required an altitude card to climb the stands!  Both images provided by Paul Albrecht. First image is color about 134KB, second color about 167KB.  Added 05/30/04.

This view shows an OMS crew on the flight line. Here are the known names of the crew.  Please contact me if you can fill in more names.  My thanks to Dave Rindone for this image.  B&W, about 76K.  Added 03/18/06, with names updated 06/06/06.

Vernie Andricks provided this image of a Fuel Truck uploading. OMS handled refueling the EC-121R. Note the EC-121R's Wright R-3350 engines used 115/145 octane aviation fuel. To avoid human error aviation fuels have the different octanes dyed different colors. The 115/145 octane used was dyed purple in color. Other octanes used different colors: 80/87 is red, 91/96 octane is brown, 100/130 octane is green, 100 Low Lead is blue. B&W, about 153K, Added 09/29/08.

193rd Tactical Warfare Squadron
Pennsylvania Air National Guard
EC-121S at Korat RTAFB
For a 6 month period in 1970 the Pennsylvania Air National Guard flew the Lockheed EC-121S out of Korat. One book I have on the Lockheed Constellation, "Lockheed Constellation," by Peter M. Bowers and Curtis K. Stringfellow,  indicates only 5 aircraft were modified to this standard. The EC-121S aircraft were flown and maintained by the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. While at Korat the 553rd Recconaissance Wing provided service facilities. Shown here is a photo of an EC-121S in the hangar undergoing maintenance. Here is another view of an EC-121S on the flight line. Note the unusal antenna, this is not the same as the height finder antenna found on the EC-121D and EC-121H, and also note that no tip tanks are fitted. Both images provided by Greg Krzyzak. The EC-121S area added 09/05/01, updated 07/07/03.

If you have additional maintenance photographs you are willing to share, please let me know.  I'd like to include more information about Batcat maintenance.

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