C-141B SOLL II Starlifters

Vintage photo - A 2-ship formation of C-141B Special Operations Low Level II (SOLL II) Starlifters.

The SOLL II variant of the now retired USAF workhorse was fitted with a number of flare and chaff launchers, including 2 in the nose - 1 each side - their distinctive bumps can just be made out in the above photos.

Additional flare launchers were also housed in the wingtips and landing gear wheel wells.

An AN/AAQ-17 FLIR pod was housed beneath the nose - again just visible in the photo.

The image from the FLIR sensor was displayed on 2 CRT screens in the cockpit -1 for the pilot and another for the navigator who could steer the FLIR pod through 3060 degrees with a joystick.

The FLIR had a range of 3 miles and allowed SOLL II-qualified aircrews to fly the C-141B in total darkness and at low level.

The SOLL II role has now been taken over by the C-17 SOLL II aircraft and associated crews.