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Description
| Notes: U-8D modified with radar reconnaissance system (2 CREW) . | ||
| Manufacturer: | Beechcraft | |
| Base model: | U-8 | |
| Designation: | RU-8 | |
| Version: | D | |
| Nickname: | SEMINOLE | |
| Designation System: | U.S. Air Force | |
| Designation Period: | 1952-Present | |
| Basic role: | Utility | |
| Modified Mission: | Reconnaissance | |
| See Also: | ||
Specifications
Propulsion
Performance
Examples of this type may be found at
| Museum | City | State |
| United States Army Aviation Museum | Ozark | Alabama |
RU-8D on display
United States Army Aviation Museum |
Recent comments by our visitors
| Jim Sessoms Fayetteville, GA | Well! I sure learned something today! Never, Never before had I heard about locations being relayed to B-52s. except that our reports were sent via messae to a variety of consumers and Arc-Light missions were normally planned using a number of locations over a period of time (coposite fixes)--certainly NOT immediate response as R. Brown stated. More common was reaction by a Tactical Unit on the ground with artillery---or the ground unit might contact a local USAF plane loitering in the area (NOT a B-52) who had some unexpended ordnance--then we'd perhaps see an air strike. Then, especially after a B-52 strike, the local cdr on the ground would send in a recon unit to determine what happened--this was often our only source of feedback as to success of our efforts. 07/06/2008 @ 05:42 [ref: 21775] |
| Roger Brown Anchorage, AK | I was an Vietnam RU-8D pilot assigned to the 138th, 146th and the 148th during 70-71. After Vietnam I was assigned to the 156th ASA Avn Co. at Ft. Bliss. Subsequently I served TDY in Europe with the initial Guardrail I and II test, and then transferred permanently for Guardrail III and IV deployment. Guardrail utilized the RU-21A, RU-21H, RU-21G and RU-21E aircraft. For those who don't know what an RU-8D mission in Vietnam consisted of:
The RU-8D carried a crew of three (pilot, co-pilot and mission operator T/O). Its purpose was one of airborne radio direction finding (ARDF). The mission equipment configuration (initially code named – Winebottle) consisted of two Collins general coverage HF receivers installed at an operators position in the rear, one external HF intercept antenna (wire from fuselage to vertical stabilizer), a set of wires joining the wing-tips to the tail feathers (for the purpose of bonding and antenna counterpois), an AN/ASN-64 Doppler Navigation system (Marconi), a C-12 Digital flux gate compass system and an HF/DF antennas system consisting of an Adcock configured set of helically wound, capacitivly loaded, vertical mounted (through the wings) dipoles at the wing-tips. The system worked like this - The operator would search for/find an HF station to DF (CW [Continuous Wave Morse code] tactical intercepts). Upon finding a station, the operator would switch to the DF antenna and patch the received audio to the pilot's intercom. The pilot would then turn the aircraft until an audio null (point where signal disappeared) was detected in signal strength, while keeping the wings absolutely level on the null bearing. The co-pilot (acting as a plotter) would then record the Doppler geographic coordinates for that bearing shot. The pilot would then make a turn somewhat perpendicular to the null bearing and fly on for a short distance (period of time). When it was estimated that sufficient distance had been covered, the pilot would turn again back towards the station and make another null shot. Coordinates and bearings would be recorded again and the process would continue in this fashion (usually five or six bearings could be taken prior to the station going off the air) until enough shots existed to record the plotted positions and bearings on a special plotting sheet. The results would be a succession of aircraft positions plotted around a central point established by the crossing of the numerous bearing lines from the aircraft positions. The plotting sheet coordinates then established (accuracy of about 100 meters – if you were good and other conditions allowed) the geographic position of the transmitting station. If intelligence indicated that the station was associated with a high priority target (these targets would be briefed prior to the mission), then the position would be relayed over a secure (KY-28) FM communications link to waiting or available B-52 bombers (Milky). They would arc-light (saturation bomb) the area as soon as we could be clear. Though our mission wasn't common knowledge for a long time, I'm very proud to have been involved with the ASA, NSA, and the RU-8D ARDF mission in Vietnam. I beleive we accomplish a lot with a very primitive system - and have much to be proud of. 07/03/2008 @ 11:53 [ref: 21755] |
| Jim Sessoms Fayetteville, GA | Wrong info in the "Description" section--modification of the RU-8D was NOT a "Radar" system, but a HF Radio Direction Finding system--single-purpose system. And normal crew was 3 (AC,, CP, TO) NOT 2. Although on occasion (mostly test flights) I would function both as CP & TO. Was Mission Opns SGT with 144th in Nha Trang from Jan 67-Mar 68. 03/14/2008 @ 09:42 [ref: 20014] |
| Paul Engle Sagle, ID | Flew U8's/ U-21's / U-6 ( Cpt America) w/ 138th Phu Bai 71-72. dopler sucked pretty much toasted a lot of shots... noisy , cold, prone to electrical failures, pilot errors, peeling paint( ha ) doors opening and mag checks, over weight and under powered. But, was fun to fly in. Double lunch and Cpt Teague, Mr Owens, Lonely Ringer became Vanguard...Humphery.March 30th 1971. Welcome Home guys....
paul paperkite29@verizon.net 02/19/2008 @ 13:27 [ref: 19726] |
| Henry Mausolf Fredericksburg, VA | My association with the RU-8 goes back a long way. I started on the project(Wine Bottle for you really old guys)at Ft. Huachuca in the early 60s and then at the LTV research factory in Greenville, Texas. We actually started with converted U1As and U6As to test the concept and sent some of these over to RVN in the early days. Because of this I went over with the 3rd RRU(again for you really old guys) to set it up and prove its mission. The early models had the broom stick antennas made of fiberglass that broke easily and was later replaced with the large metal antennas that everyone became familiar with. The early models had the ryan doppler with standard RMI that could not be halted as the Canadian Marconi versions later on. The C12 compass did a lot for accuracy also when they were installed. Some of you may remember me from your training at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. The RDF mission has come a long way since then and has contributed to the efforts of the US Army around the world continuing today in the WOT. I am proud of my association with the fine men that served in this mission. We have all contributed much to the free world. All total I had three tours in wonderful RVN, all in the intel field. One tour in the MidEast and then I got smart and retired. I went on to fly as a 767 Captain at United Airlines until I retired from there. 02/05/2008 @ 14:01 [ref: 19565] |
| Bill Derryberry Piedmont, AL | I left the regular Army in Dec. 72 as a Sp5 05H20. In Sept 74 I was invited to visit an new Army Reserve unit in Orlando Fl. at the international airport formaly McCoy AFB. There I was introduced to the RU8D. It was a work horse for sure we flew many missions in the old (wisper jet) man were those algamators loud. The unit was the reactivated 156th ASA Avation Co. EW. We had 16 RU8D and went all over the country in them. we modified them for other missions and eventually retired them. We went on to RU21J, RU21A,RU21B,and RU21C. I retired in Jan 94 as a MSG. Some of our pilots were James Garrette, Lance Ham, Rosie Rosembaum, John Wing, Rocky Harrelson, and tons more. It was a good unit but was again deactivated in I think early 96. 01/18/2008 @ 18:47 [ref: 19352] |
| James Landy Pinon Hills, CA | My email is jameslandy@msn.com 01/01/2008 @ 10:01 [ref: 19113] |
| James Landy Pinon Hills, CA | I was a Civilian contractor working at Long Thanh North from 1969-1972. I loved working on the RU-8D's. I learned a lot there and now 37 years later I am still in the aviation business working as a mechanic for Federal Express. The only name I remember is Capt Yon.If anyone remembers me send an email. 01/01/2008 @ 09:58 [ref: 19112] |
| John Reid Sarasota, FL | I was an 05H20/05D20 with the 156th Avn Co, Can Tho. I remember we had 2 RU8D's. The navigation system did not work well nor did the com radios. We preferred the RU6A. RU6A could be put down anywhere and you could walk away. Spent a year and half in Can Tho. 10/67 to 6/69. Email address: jareidsr@comcast.net Ran across this site looking for pictures of RU6A. 12/04/2007 @ 08:33 [ref: 18782] |
| Terry Yon Cocoa, FL | I was a RU-8D pilot with the 146th in 1969-1970; I was also the maintenance platoon leader and later a flight platoon leader; started out in Siagon and moved with unit to Long Thanh North. Have good memories of the unit and missions we flew. Stayed in the Army; went through helicopter transition course, had several other "Army Lives" and retired in 1996 after 30 years as a Colonel; but still treasure the "Snoopy" plaque I have on my wall.. 07/10/2007 @ 12:36 [ref: 17060] |
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