Lockheed WC-121 Warning Star

Lockheed Corporation · United States · first flew 1949 · transport aircraft

The WC-121 Warning Star is an airborne early warning variant of the Lockheed Constellation, fitted with large radar radomes above and below the fuselage for barrier patrol and early warning duties.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	4 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	35.41 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Modified Constellation with large APS-20 radar dorsal and ventral radomes
Triple-fin tail unique to all Constellations
Used for NORAD early warning barrier patrol

The unmistakable triple-fin tail of the Constellation combined with large oval radomes above and below the forward fuselage make the Warning Star instantly identifiable.

Specifications

The Lockheed WC-121 Warning Star has a length of 35.41 m (116 ft).
It has a wingspan of 37.49 m (123 ft).
Its maximum speed is 547 km/h (340 mph).
Typical crew: 8-12.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The U.S. Navy operated WC-121N Warning Stars (the WC-121 designation covers related variants) as part of the Airborne Early Warning squadrons patrolling the Atlantic and Pacific barriers during the Cold War. They were essential before the era of dedicated AEW aircraft like the E-3 Sentry.

Variants

The Warning Star family includes the PO-1W, WV-1, WV-2, and EC-121 series; the WC-121 designation was applied to weather reconnaissance versions.

Where you'll see it

Operated by the U.S. Navy and Air Force from the late 1940s through the 1970s for early warning, weather reconnaissance, and electronic intelligence.

Related aircraft

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