Son-of-a-Beach (aka John Beach)
AN/FPS-24 Radar Main Bearing Replacement, (March 1975) 682nd Radar Sq., Almaden AFS, Santa Clare County, California (Deactivated in 1980)
The antenna spanned 120 feet across and the entire antenna assembly weighted 85 tons. It was driven by four 100 hp GE motors. The main bearing (seen here near the top of the crane) weighted 5 tons. The entire 85 ton antenna assembly had to be jacked up to slide the old bearing out and the new one in. It took about a week to complete the job providing there was no wind to contend with. Behind the crane can be seen the AN/FPS-90 Height-Finder radar. The radar station was located above San Jose, CA on Mount Umunhum.
AN/FPS-24 Radar Main Bearing Replacement, (March 1975) 682nd Radar Sq., Almaden AFS, Santa Clare County, California (Deactivated in 1980)
The antenna spanned 120 feet across and the entire antenna assembly weighted 85 tons. It was driven by four 100 hp GE motors. The main bearing (seen here near the top of the crane) weighted 5 tons. The entire 85 ton antenna assembly had to be jacked up to slide the old bearing out and the new one in. It took about a week to complete the job providing there was no wind to contend with. Behind the crane can be seen the AN/FPS-90 Height-Finder radar. The radar station was located above San Jose, CA on Mount Umunhum.