Batcat The United States Air
Force 553rd Reconnaissance
Wing Models of the Lockheed EC-121R
This page was created 07/02/14, Last updated 06/11/16.
This page has information and images of models of the Lockheed EC-121R Batcat as flown by
the 553rd Reconnaissance Wing. Both static display and radio controlled flying models are shown
on this page. Including the availability of custom made models.
Information of static display
Lockheed EC-121R models
Plastic 1:144 EC-121R model
Minicraft has now has a
Plastic model of the Lockheed EC-121R "Batcat" aircraft. Here is a view of the
EC-121R model box. Minicraft
provides decals for different serial numbers including the "Da Nang Glider." My thanks to
Cliff Jensen for letting me know of the availability of
this model. Model box image is color, about 31K, added 03/23/15.
Images of static display diecast
Lockheed EC-121R models
Corgi Die Cast 1:144 EC-121R model
Corgi manufactured a limited edition of 1,700 die cast models of the Lockheed EC-121R,
1:144 scale, painted as serial number 67-21484. Model can be configured with landing
gear up mounted on a stand, or with landing gear down standing on it's own gear. Here is
a view of webmaster Larry Westin's
Corgi model in the box. Here is another view of webmaster Larry Westin's Corgi die cast EC-121R model
standing on it's
own landing gear. Both images color, about 43K and 165K respectively. Corgi has
completed production of this model, however you can often find this model available on eBay.
Added 03/07/05, updated 07/03/14.
Hobby Master Die Cast 1:200 EC-121R
Da Nang Glider 67-21487 model
Hobby Masters has a new diecast model of the
EC-121R Da Nang Glider USAF 67-21487. This model is in 1:200 scale making the wing
span about 7 1/2 inches. This Hobby Master model is available in the United States from
Historic Aviation in Minnesota. Here is an image of the
Da Nang Glider diecast model. My thanks to
Mason Ezzell, who was the pilot flying the Da
Nang Glider when all four engines stopped inflight, for letting me know about this model.
Image is color, about 2787K, added 04/28/16.
Custom Models Available for
the Lockheed EC-121R and other EC-121 models
Mahogany Wood 1:72 EC-121 models
William "Randy" Randolph custom builds different models, including a number of
different models of the Lockheed EC-121 aircraft. Models are made of mahogany in 1:72 scale.
Here are some images of recently completed custom models. First image shows a
1/2 Front view of
EC-121R model. Note the detail to antennas with this model having the UHF blade
antennas, HF long wire antennas, the FM antennas on the outboard vertical stabilizers
and the RHAW radar homing antennas. See also the added information on the stand. Second image shows an
underside front view of
the EC-121R. Note landing gear door detail, as well as ADF loop antennas, and
marker beacon antennas. Here is a view of an
EC-121D Early Radar
Warning model. Note the height finder antenna on top of the fuselage. Here is a view of an
EC-121T Early Radar
Warning model. Note this "T" model doesn't have the top of fuselag height finder antenna.
Both the "D" and "T" models have the latter anti lightning tip tanks.
Here is an image of a
C-121G Transport of
the Lockheed Super Constellation. William "Randy" Randolph builds other types of
models as well, see the 12 O'Clock High homepage for
additioinal details. "Randy" can be reached via email by clicking
twelvehigh@aol.com.
Custom built model info added 06/11/16.
Direct Contact Information is:
William J. Randolph Jr. (Randy)
12 O'Clock High (President/owner)
8777 Noroad, Jacksonville, Fl 32210
Home (904) 317-8618
Mobile (904) 803-5492
email - twelvehigh@aol.com
homepage - www.12oclockhigh.com
Images of static display
Lockheed EC-121R models
Mahogany Wood 1:72 EC-121R model
Mahogany wooden Lockheed 1049G models in 1:72 scale are available from the Philippine Islands
through many dealers. Most of these models are in airline livery, and the TWA 1049G model comes
with both tip tanks and a radar nose. Here is a view of a
TWA Lockheed 1049G with display stand. You can find this model in other airline
liveries. Of course a skilled model builder is needed repaint the airplane and add antennas
to make it into an EC-121R. Color, about 147K.
Added 07/02/14.
Over the years Batcat Bill Holbrook, 553rd EMS, modified a number of the above 1049G wooden models into
EC-121R configuration. This is a view of
TWA Lockheed 1049G modified to an EC-121R - view 1. Color, about 87K. Here is a different
image of 1049G modified into
an EC-121R - view 2. Color, about 78K. The model now has camouflage paint, with several
antennas including the HF long wire, VHF and UHF blade antennas, and RHAW (Radar Homing and Warnbing)
antennas. Window configuration changed from airline to EC-121R. Model built by
Bill Holbrook, photographs of the model taken by
Larry Westin.
Added 07/02/14.
Batcat Bill Holbrook also built an EC-121R model for the silent auction at the 2008 Batcat Dedication
and Reunion at Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio. Bill modified another wooden model into an
EC-121R with landing gear down
sitting on a wood base. Color, about 189K. Here is another image of the
EC-121R Bill built for the
2008 Dedication and Reunion with landing gear down. Color, about 196K. Model built by
Bill Holbrook, photographs of the model taken by
Larry Westin.
Added 07/02/14.
Images and Information of David Payne's hand
built 1:16 scale Lockheed EC-121R R/C model
See below YouTube videos for David's next EC-121R model
David Payne, who lives in Oregon, built this 1:16 scale radio control of the Lockheed EC-121R
Batcat aircraft. This particular model depicts airplane 67-21493. EC-121R, 67-21493, flying as
Batcat 21 was lost on April 25, 1969 with all 18 crew members on board killed.
Here are some specifics about this particular model:
Wingspan is 7.5 feet, length about 7 feet, which makes it approximately a 1:16 scale model.
Actual airplane is 123.5 foot wingspan, 116 foot length.
Take off weight is 12 to 14 pounds. Actual airplane maximum takeoff weight is typically about
135,000 pounds (varies with equipment and mission length).
Powered with 4 electric motors with a total of 1.2 kw of power. With a total power of 1.2 Kw total
power (all 4 motors), this translates into a total of about 1.6 horsepower (using 746 watts DC
per horsepower), or about .4 horsepower per engine. Energy to drive the motors is from a battery pack.
Airplane is equipped with full function flight controls (aileron, elevator, throttles, rudders,
retractable gear, flaps, functional oleo strut legs and on-board HD video cameras). The plane also
has fully functional landing, taxi, navigation, beacon, strobe and ACL lighting.
During his first competition with the airplane, David Payne
won first prize with a maximum possible static score and respectable precision flying scores. The
first place win qualified David for his first time out for the national championship. This image shows the
EC-121R with the award. Color,
about 246K. Here is a view of David Payne's
First Place award for his EC-121R model.
Color, about 129K. Added 07/02/14.
This is an YouTube video of the EC-121R doing a night taxi test.
This is an YouTube video of the maiden flight of David Payne's EC-121R.
YouTube video at the veterans memorial fly-in where
David Payne's EC-121R connie took 1st place "military" and Best of show!
Images and Information of David Payne's next
EC-121R R/C model hand built to 1:10.5 scale
David Payne provided this information about his next EC-121R R/C
model - I am building a new larger scale EC-121R. Will likely be tail number 67-21485. It will be 140" wingspan
and 128" long. Covered in thin real aluminum panels and then painted the SE Asia camo. Everything will be
detailed to make the plane look real including taxi lights, nav lights, beacons, scale landing gear, real
fowler flaps, weather and exhaust staining/oil stains etc. Powered by 4 X 2kw motors. Ramp weight is
estimated to be 50 lbs.
The plane will be competing in US Scale Masters (hopefully Summer of 2016).
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