CPants Comments and Book: Nothing to do with Rivet Joint!
The aircraft and incidents CPants writes about concern RC-135E Rivet Amber, which disappeared over the Bering Sea in Jun 1969. This WAS NOT a Rivet Joint aircraft!
My error in reading very similiar tail numbers. The aircraft in question was a TC-135, converted into an aerodynamic Rivet Joint configuration as a "bounce bird". It does not carry mission equipment.
CPants made the local news with his claims for about one day. Not a factor in fully-configured Rivet Joint aircraft.
For the record, two Cobra Ball RC-135s have crashed at Shemya AFB and one RC-135 trainer near Valdez, Alaska, in addition to the Rivet Amber. All except Rivet Amber were the result of pilot error.
No Rivet Joints or Combat Sents, current operational RC-135V, W, and Us, have ever crashed or caused an airborne loss of life.
Last edited by NoVANav; 22nd Apr 2014 at 20:31.
Reason: Correct error.