Accident Lockheed RB-69A Neptune 54-4037, Thursday 11 June 1964
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Date:Thursday 11 June 1964
Time:
Type:Silhouette image of generic P2 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Lockheed RB-69A Neptune
Owner/operator:Republic of China Air Force - ROCAF
Registration: 54-4037
MSN: 726-7047
Fatalities:Fatalities: 14 / Occupants: 14
Other fatalities:0
Aircraft damage: Destroyed, written off
Location:near Qixia County-Level City, Yantai, Shandong Province -   China
Phase: En route
Nature:Military
Departure airport:
Destination airport:
Narrative:
The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) acquired seven Neptunes in 1954 and configured them with cameras and electronics intelligence gear. Five of those were stationed in Taiwan and operated by the Republic of China Air Force.
They were reportedly used to conduct intrusion ELINT missions over mainland China, dropping and supplying agents, and dropping propaganda leaflets. Missions were usually flown at night.
Aircraft used by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) to intercept the intruders were MiG-17 fighters. Ilyushin 28/Harbin H-5 jets were used to drop flares and used search lights to illuminate the Neptunes for the MiG-17s. Additionally, Tupolev Tu-4 aircraft were fitted with radar.

Sources:

ACIG.org
The Growth of China’s Air Defenses: Responding to Covert Overflights, 1949–1974 / Bob Bergin
Intrusions, Overflights, Shootdowns and Defections During the Cold War and Thereafter
Tang, F. 2015. Review of the history of the Air Force's special operations. Part two. ROC Air Force Bimonthly Journal, 647: 126-158. (in Chinese)

Images:


photo (c) US Goverment (publicdomain)

Revision history:

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