Mar 22, 2017
One of USAF and US Navy iconic aircraft, the Lockheed EC-121D Warning Star or Constellation, Connie, Willie Victor was the active AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) up to 1978 when the Boeing E-3 Sentry took it’s place.
The Navy nickname “Willie Victor” is because of the pre-1962 Navy’s “WV” designation of the aircraft.
The EC-121D Warning Star was retired in 1978 but one modified EW aircraft remained in service with the Navy up to 1982.