Lockheed YB-121 series

[McColm]

Part 1
Lockheed had designed a bomber based
on the C-69 known as the XB-30. This had lost out to the Boeing B-29 .
All seemed lost to Lockheed until the Super-G model entered service. The US military first used the Super-G designated C-121 for cargo and troop transporters, later on the role changed to reconnaissance, electronic warfare and AWACS.
Lockheed once again tried promoting the Super-G as a bomber, anti-submarine or reconnaissance version with one weapons bay located behind the nose wheel well and one at the rear of the wings.
The design was reconfigured with parts from a B-29.
The nose section from the B-29 was grafted on the front of the Super-G, the weapons bay front and rear also came from the B-29; so did the landing gear.
Trials with different engines resulted in using turboprops with 3 propellers.

[TomZ]

Sounds good. Show us the pics of the model! 

TomZ

[McColm]

There's a couple of pics on facebook under the unofficial Airfix Club and Whatifs.

Part 2
Meanwhile with the Allison T56 turboprop becoming available Lockheed turned to SJMcColm Engineering to upgrade the
B-121 which had now been designated the
PB-121A Seeker.
This grabbed the attention of the USNavy and the Royal Air Force in the maritime surveillance role. Pallets were designed to fit the front and rear weapons bay, a rear MAD boom, in-flight refueling probe and 3 bladed propellers.
The Seekers became multi-role aircraft as they could be adapted to fit different roles within 2 hours.
Early aircraft were known as the flying greenhouse as shirt sleeve permission was granted to the flight crew in hot climates. Air conditioning was added which gainfully acquired the nickname of the flying fridge.
Camera pods , iron bombs, long-range fuel tanks, anti-ship missiles and ELINT could be carried in the weapons bays depending on the mission. Stretchers and seats could also be fitted.
With the Vietnam War a need for a flying tanker to extend the range. This was devoid of all unnecessary equipment. The weapons bays housed two long-range fuel tanks. Behind the forward crew section a large rubber fuel tank was fitted with both the flying boom and hose & drogue pods under the wings. The understanding being that the USAF Constellations could be refueled as well. The KB-121B was a welcoming sight.
Back in the UK the Seekers became a stop gap until the Avro Shackleton entered service. Two squadrons were retained, plus one squadron of tankers which disconnected the flying boom. Three aircraft were converted into AEW & C . A total of 9 AEW & C Seekers saw service which were fitted with a similar rotodome as the Boeing E-3A Sentry.
Upgrades kept the Seeker flying well past the the retirement of the Constellation.
The C-130 and the P-3 Orion slowly took over some of the missions flown by the Seeker.

[rickshaw]

There's a couple of pics on facebook under the unofficial Airfix Club and Whatifs.

How about posting them here. 

[McColm]

Will do