Lockheed NC-121K Super Constellation

Ordered as a PO-2W Warning Star, it was re-designated WV-2 before delivery to the USN, while it was re-designated EC-121K in 1962 and soon thereafter to NC-121K. It was withdrawn from use on May 15, 1973, and scrapped on May 28, 1976. The Oceanographic Development Squadron Eight, or VXN-8, was deactivated Oct. 1, 1993 after 26 years. VXN-8 was the free world's only aviation squadron devoted solely to airborne oceanographic and geophysical survey. Home ported at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, VXN-8 was a fleet command under the administrative control of Commander Naval Air Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet and the operational control of the Commander in Chief, U. S. Atlantic Fleet. NAVOCEANO's mission was to conduct multi-disciplinary ocean surveys and assigned scientific and technical programs with resultant products directed toward satisfying U. S. Navy and Department of Defense oceanographic needs for effective weapon and sensor system performance and safe and accurate navigation. VXN-8 aircraft, equipped with specialized instrumentation, provide a primary means for conducting world-wide surveys to obtain the basic data needed for preparation of required documentation. Further applications of collected data included government and private agencies in support of commercial and private navigation of seaways, commercial fishing industry and environmental pollution observation. Surveys were conducted within three separate dimensions: Geomagnetic and Gravimetric Survey (Project Magnet), Hydro-acoustic Survey (Outpost Seascan) and Arctic Ice Reconnaissance (Birdseye). Deployed aircrews operated autonomously throughout the world, often from remote airports which have little or no maintenance support. Known as "The World Travelers," the squadron was true to its name. Operations were conducted year-round in the Arctic and on all of the continents of the world except Antarctica. Despite the stresses of the operating environment, the squadron achieved a proud record of aviation safety. Since July 1, 1967, when the squadron was first commissioned, VXN-8 has flew more than 98,000 missions. Unlike the traditional gray of Navy aircraft, VXN-8's mission aircraft sport an international orange and white paint scheme to readily identify them as overt, non weapon-carrying platforms. The unusual paint scheme also included an officially sanctioned Warner Brothers cartoon character emblematic of the assigned mission: the Roadrunner for Project Magnet, El Coyote for Outpost Seascan and the Arctic Fox for Birdseye. See more.