Sandia and Los Alamos Labs Boeing NC-135 Quasimodo

A modified NC-135 was used for scientific research and evaluation by the Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratory’s. One such research flight followed the path of a solar eclipse across the south Pacific in 1965. Seven variations on this basic modification were used by Sandia. Four had the large hump on the top of the fuselage. Serial numbers 0-53120, 0-53123 (laser gun), 0-53131, 0-53132, 0-00371, 0-00370, 0-00376 (many round windows)

Sandia and Los Alamos instrumented this aircraft for high altitude research. It followed Solar Eclipse and measured solar radiation at high altitudes above 40,000 ft. Instruments were housed in a large dome along the top of the fuselage aft of the pilot’s area, therefore the nickname “Quasimodo”. Various antennas adorned the fuselage, wing tips and tail. Other NC-135s in project serial numbers 0-00371, 0-53120, 0-00370, 0-00376.