RidgeRunner Posted January 22, 2019 Share Posted January 22, 2019 (edited) Hi All, my head is thinking way ahead about future builds and one I want to build is a weather RB-57A, for which I have both a High Planes RB-57A and S&M Canberra in the pile. My question is about the air sampling pods, like this: credit: www.gonavy.jp I am considering the modification of something like a F-105 wing tank. Would that work? Does anyone out there have dimensions or drawings of these? maybe @canberra kid knows? thanks in advance. Martin Edited January 25, 2019 by RidgeRunner 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted January 22, 2019 Share Posted January 22, 2019 Martin, If you don't hear from John, that pod sorta looks like an F-89 wingtip pod with a modified nose section. Hard to tell without knowing the dimensions, to be sure. Or maybe a napalm store normally carried by B-57B's with an extended center section and modified nose? Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberra kid Posted January 22, 2019 Share Posted January 22, 2019 Hi Martin & Mike Good choice, it's one that's been on my list for quite some time, now, the sample pods, I would say they are converted tanks but I'm not sure which ones they are, if they are Napalm tanks as @72modeler Mike thinks and for what it's worth that's what I was thinking too the most likely candidate could be this. but I've been talking with a friend of mine who was with the 58th WRS, he thinks they were new builds but I'm not convinced. I've put out some feelers and am awaiting a response, if and when I get some info I'll get back to you. John 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 22, 2019 Author Share Posted January 22, 2019 Hi John @canberra kid, Thanks a lot for your thoughts. I'd discount the napalm tanks. The shape isn't right, particularly at the tail end. Sorry, Mike! @72modeler. I still think a Thud-type tank is closer, sans fins, of course. This build will be down the tracks a little as I have at least four ahead of it. I am keen to do it, though - probably alongside my B-57E. I had planned to use my S&M kit for this by grafting on an Italeri cockpit section from a B-57B. Therefore I woyld use my High Planes RB-57A for this weather ship. I have a few images of 52-1448, the target ship for this build. Eagerly awaiting your further thoughts.... Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob de Bie Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 15 hours ago, RidgeRunner said: Hi All, my head is thinking way ahead about future builds and one I want to build is a weather RB-57A, for which I have both a High Planes RB-57A and S&M Canberra in the pile. My question is about the air sampling pods, like this: I am considering the modification of something like a F-105 wing tank. Would that work? Does anyone out there have dimensions or drawings of these? I think that's an ALE-2 chaff pod. Here's the information that I collected for my 'TAC Firebees' webpage, that also has some photos: The ALE-2 pod is listed as being manufactured by Ryan, Webcor and MB Associates. It was used on the USAF F-4D/E, F-84, F-86, F-100, F-102, B-66, RB-57, T-33, AQM-34G/H/M/V, US Navy EA-1F and Canadian "EF-101B" and CT-133. At the front of the pod is an air inlet that splits into two tubes. The air travels down the pod and opens up packets of chaff. At the rear the air plus chaff streams combine again and exit the pod through a fairly large notch in the rear cone-shaped part of the pod. Pod length is 13' 10.2" (4221 mm), diameter 19.58" (497 mm), empty weight 217lb (98 kg) and full weight 470lb (213 kg). The shape reminds me of the F-84F outboard tank, and the F-102. Rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 23, 2019 Author Share Posted January 23, 2019 Yes, Rob, I agree. Inalso agree that a F-84Fvouter pod is about the same thanks, Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 These air sampling pods were used on a number of T-33, QF-80, F-84G and B-57 used on various nuke tests from around Upshot-Knothole (1953) onwards. They appear to have been based on the Sargent Fletcher T-33 tip tank, mounted on the tip centreline of Thunderjets (with small fin) and underslung (without fin) elsewhere. You might be able to scale them from this shot (Teapot shots 1955) Also seen here. I suspect they developed a better method for removing 'hot' samples than 'man with stick': QF-80 installation here: 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberra kid Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 21 hours ago, RidgeRunner said: Hi John @canberra kid, Thanks a lot for your thoughts. I'd discount the napalm tanks. The shape isn't right, particularly at the tail end. Sorry, Mike! @72modeler. I still think a Thud-type tank is closer, sans fins, of course. This build will be down the tracks a little as I have at least four ahead of it. I am keen to do it, though - probably alongside my B-57E. I had planned to use my S&M kit for this by grafting on an Italeri cockpit section from a B-57B. Therefore I woyld use my High Planes RB-57A for this weather ship. I have a few images of 52-1448, the target ship for this build. Eagerly awaiting your further thoughts.... Martin HI Martin I agree the Napalm tank doesn't really fit the bill, I await the reply from my request to an higher authority. In the meantime I've attached some photos of the pods which may help. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 Following taken from 'History of Air Force Atomic Cloud Sampling' (AFSC Historical Series, 61-142-1 of 1963): note the mention of T-33 tanks for the Buster-Jangle nuclear test of 1951 (first text - AFOAT = Air Force Office - Atomic Testing): ...and then the reference to [Sargent] Fletcher (see ref in my post above) in this Hardtack (1958) nuclear test reference about B-57 sampling pods (LASL = Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 23, 2019 Author Share Posted January 23, 2019 2 hours ago, canberra kid said: HI Martin I agree the Napalm tank doesn't really fit the bill, I await the reply from my request to an higher authority. In the meantime I've attached some photos of the pods which may help. John Excellent, John @canberra kid. Thank you. I reckon this, and SJ's posts, clear this up. However, you middle shot cleArly shows a variation of it, unless it is just the angle of the shot. I will plug away at research on this while getting my Thud, Voodoos, and Starfighter done. I also have a fury to start! @Sabrejet Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 23, 2019 Author Share Posted January 23, 2019 2 hours ago, Sabrejet said: Following taken from 'History of Air Force Atomic Cloud Sampling' (AFSC Historical Series, 61-142-1 of 1963): note the mention of T-33 tanks for the Buster-Jangle nuclear test of 1951 (first text - AFOAT = Air Force Office - Atomic Testing): ...and then the reference to [Sargent] Fletcher (see ref in my post above) in this Hardtack (1958) nuclear test reference about B-57 sampling pods (LASL = Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory). Thank you, SJ. @Sabrejet Much appreciated :)... I WILL make a start on a Fury soon, I promise Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creepy Pete Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 I guess these air sampling pods on Vulcans were inspired by the LASL ones? I read on one site they were converted fuel tanks from the Sea Vixen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 5 hours ago, Creepy Pete said: I guess these air sampling pods on Vulcans were inspired by the LASL ones? I read on one site they were converted fuel tanks from the Sea Vixen. Nice model! Now those (or is is the paint playing tricks?) look like Hunter underwing tanks! Did someone say Fury? @RidgeRunner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gmat Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 On the outside of the Vulcan sampling pod on the left wing, I've seen a small cylindrical pod with a tube like sensor out the front end, attached to the bottom of the wing. Reminds me of the 1D or 2D particle scanners that we had on MC-130E 571 when it based at Wright-Patt but flew missions for the AFGL at Hanscom AFB. The mid wing sampling pods as used on RB/WB-57Fs were known as LASL tanks. The RB-57As in the first photograph were with the 6021 RS out of Johnson AB until transferred to the 6091st RS out of Yokota AB. In 1962, AWS was made the sole manager of nuclear sampling, but certain programs remained outside of their domain. I believe that those RB-57As may not have been transferred to the 56th WRS at Yokota post 1962 although they clearly had a sampling mission. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 24, 2019 Author Share Posted January 24, 2019 Hi Gmat. Very interesting. Thanks. 52-1448 - my subject - flew with the 56th at Yokota with the pods. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gmat Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 RidgeRunner, I wonder where you might have gotten confirmation on that information. Information on RB-57s in the Far East is difficult to track down. Your photo is one that I uploaded in my PhotoBucket account. I have that photo given to me from one of my Japanese friends. Take care. Grant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 (edited) That is correct, Grant. There is another website that details her service history. I will dig it out. Martin PS: http://www.forgottenjets.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/B-57.html Martin Edited January 25, 2019 by RidgeRunner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberra kid Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Martin, you could always do it without pods. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 Absolutely, John, but the pods are a challenge. i reckon using some F-84F outer tanks, cutting the forward portion and shaping on the lathe. A challenge, eh? Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 This was my initial inspiration, John: Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gmat Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 RidgeRunner, when I was at the 53rd WRS, I asked the AWS Historian for information on the WC-130, WB-50, WB-47 and WB-57F. Some of the information provided was incomplete. When I showed a picture of the RB-57A in weather markings, some AWS old hats expressed surprise that it belonged to the 56th WRS. This in the late 70s. In 1962, there were a number of B-57s assigned to various WRS but the model and SNs were unlisted. It's been many years since I've thought about it, by my memory was that they weren't assigned to the 56th WRS. If you want to track down a very unusual air sampler, I was told that the YC-121F with the turboprops, while assigned to the Sacramento ALC at McClellan AFB was outfitted for air sampling. If I had to guess, it might be two foils under the fuselage behind the nose wheel like the C-54 and C-118. Never saw any pictures. Grant 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 5 hours ago, RidgeRunner said: That is correct, Grant. There is another website that details her service history. I will dig it out. Martin PS: http://www.forgottenjets.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/B-57.html Martin Grant, Robert C. mikesh's book also shows 52-1448 as being with the 56th WRS sometime between 1961 and 1966. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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