Rather less suitable for photography than when I last saw it in 1973 (photo here), "Triple Nickel" was one of the unarmed radar EC-121s that aided direction towards enemy aircraft, to aerial refuelling tankers and guided rescue planes to downed pilots. In October 1967 while stationed airborne over Gulf of Tonkin, this Connie guided a US fighter by radar into position to destroy a MiG-21, marking the first time an airborne radar weapons controller had directed a successful attack on an enemy aircraft. The 72 EC-121s had entered service with ADC from 1953, flying coastal patrols

Delivered as an RC-121D and redesignated EC-121D in 1962. Operating from Korat RTAFB, Thailand by 1967 with 553rd and later 552nd AEW&CW. Ferried to museum in August 1971, a much better photo being possible back when it was parked outside

Ca.1955: TOS USAF as RC-121D. 1962: Redesignated as EC-121D. By 1967: 553rd Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing, Korat RTAFB, Thailand. 24 Oct '67: While stationed airborne over Gulf of Tonkin, this aircraft guided a US fighter by radar into position to destroy a MiG-21. It was the first time a weapons controller on airborne radar aircraft had directed a successful attack on an enemy plane. By Mar '69: 552nd Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing, also on deployment to Korat. 9 Aug '71: Ferried to the Air Force Museum, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.

Photographer: Rainer Haufschild.

This a/c is now on display inside the museum in the Southeast Asia War Gallery.

'City of Sacramento' on display in the Southeast Asia War Gallery at the National Museum of the USAF. This EC-121 entered the history books on Oct. 24, 1967 over the Gulf of Tonkin as it guided a US fighter into position to destroy a MiG-21. This action marked the first time a weapons controller aboard an airborne radar aircraft had ever directed a successful attack on an enemy plane.