[MilCom] NP-3D and E-9A at Patrick

[AllanStern at aol.com]

It is Thurs, 10:52am EDT (1452z).
   Two unusual looking aircraft at Patrick today.
   "BH 340," the NP-3D equipped with Cast Glance high-power  optical gear, 
departed Patrick earlier.  BH 340 (Bu No 150522) is  one of the VX-30 
Bloodhounds from Point Mugu; he worked in support of the Space  Shuttle landing this 
morning.  I was able to get a couple of photos of his  unusual tail structure 
when he departed, thanks to the background of Florida's  robin's-egg blue sky 
today.
   Also, E-9A "Widget 48 (84-0048) from Tyndall's 82nd Aerial  Targets Sqdn 
worked the pattern here at Patrick.  This is a modified  DeHavilland DHC-8, and 
one of only two E-9As USAF has flown. It is a white plane  with a big black 
sensor dome attached to its bottom, making for an unusual  sight.  The two 
WIDGETs usually support missile tests, such as when Cruise  Missiles are launched 
at sea and fly across the Florida panhandle to targets on  the Eglin range.
   Both acft were using VHF ATC freqs 133.75, 132.65.
 
AL STERN  Satellite Beach FL
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