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The USN acquired about 140 WV-2 and the USAF about 85 EC121 in the 50s for ocean barrier patrol duties. These has AN/APS20 search radars and AN/APS 45 height finding radars and crews of about 20 fore the AEW role. The USAF kept theirs and upgraded them from 1962 with better radars and the like, whereas the USN seemed to let theirs languish from 1965 with the end of the barrier patrols. While the USAF picked up maybe 40 or 50 USN (renamed in 1962) EC121s the bulk of the rest seemed to just disappear.

WI these ex-USN EC 121s were pushed out to allies? They must have had some potential since the RN and RAF used the APS 20 radar in the AEW role until 1978 and 1990 respectively. What's more there would be considerable opportunity to upgrade them cheaply enough with the USAF doing their upgrades all the way to 1969 and the E1 and its radar being retired from USN carrier service from about 1973. Would a lot of AEW&C around the world have made much difference to the many crises of the 70s and 80s?
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