Talk:Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker

Isn't the KC-135 built from one of the passenger jets? Like a 737 or 727? -- Zoe

Boeing 707 is based on pretty much the same airframe & engines as the A models. I'll see if I can beat Stan to working that into the article somehow. ;) -- John Owens 05:44 May 1, 2003 (UTC)

Actually, it's already in there, first sentence of the fifth paragraph. But it says "commercial 707" and isn't linked, so it doesn't stand out from the other numbers all over. Let's see if we can at least link that.... -- John Owens 05:45 May 1, 2003 (UTC)

You may include the accident In Geilenkirhcen (Germany) in the late nineties (I am not aware of other accidents). Reason for that: this plane is quite a danger for the airport´s´neighborhoods. KC-135 Statotanker, Air Refueling Aircraft. Please ref: the US Air Force Web Site for historical facts and data of this center piece of american air power.

I note that all the weights listed in the sidebar are incorrect, but I am quite curious as to WHY they are incorrect. I shouldn't think the AF would have a problem with my changing them but I do wonder if the article's original contributors might comment on why the numbers are off. Thehappysmith 16 September 2004

I think the caption on the picture is wrong. I don't think that's a F-22, I think it's the X-35 during testing. Could someone who's better at Aircraft ID check? --Mtnerd 04:50, 23 Oct 2004 (UTC)

-That's an F-22A Raptor, most likely tail number 91-4002. The easiest way to differenciate the two are by the engines. The F-22 has twin engines with "rectangular" nozzels. The X-35 has one engine and a round nozzel that looks more like an F-16's. Both aircraft incorporate thrust vectoring, however the X-35's nozzel is able to angle down more to assist with STOVL. Check the link to the F-22 in the caption for more pictures of the Raptor. --LedHed430 04:06, 10 December 2005 (UTC)

Flew these airplanes for 15 years. The KC-135 was the original Boeing 717, the Boeoiing missing number until it was assigned to the current MD-80 derivitave. The data plate is in the crew entry chute giving this number as the Boeing number. The tanker is actually closer to the commercial Boeing 720, the long range verson of the 707. The oringinal A models were waterburners with J-57 engines. De-mineralized water was injected into the engines to provide additinal thrust for takeoff. This also created lots of noise and black smoke. We surmised the airplanes conveted JP4 and water to lots of noise but not much thrust. Takeoff ground rolls were long. Also, the EC-135 was not just Looking Glass. There were various models of the EC, the EC135C (Looking Glass), the J (Blue Eagle), and several others. They all made up the Airborne Command Post mission. Looking Glass was the SAC mission nickname for the Offutt based aircraft and it was tasked for 24 hour airborne alert. The other ABNCP aircraft were tasked with alert missions that included both airborne and ground alert. Been there!

ERRORS IN ARTICLE

The article states that the KC-135 R/T Models are only stationed at McConnell AFB, Kansas. However, references to this fact need to be presented, as I also can find references to KC-135 R/T Models used by the 92nd ARW, Fairchild AFB, Washington, which is also the largest KC-135 base in the nation.

Should this section be omitted?

AT RISK

I hesitate to insert an issue beyond the technical into this article. Perhaps the primary author could say a few words about the RISK that these pilots take in supporting combat operations.

In Laos KC-135s (without ejections seats) repeatedly extended their refueling tracts North to rescue F-105 combat aircraft returning with battle damage and/or near dry tanks. The KC-135 was then vulnerable to MiG attack. We should not allow the impression that crews of these modified airliners are somehow; well, airliner crews.

spoongap

Veteran of the skies soars into 50th year Cambridge Evening News http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/newmarket/2006/08/31/e2b9bf53-06ea-4bdb-abe8-05beee1a2903.lpf A VETERAN of the skies celebrates half-a-century of flying today (Thursday, 31 August).

The American Air Force's KC- 135 Stratotanker jets are a familiar sight in the region, operating from Mildenhall.

Most of the crews who fly the planes were not born when they first entered service and some pilots are the second generation to fly them.

The aircraft are the mainstay of the US Air Force's in-flight refuelling fleet and have played a key role in all major conflicts by keeping fighter and bomber planes in the air.

Colonel Mike Callis, vicecommander of the base's 100th Air Refuelling Wing, said: "It's an amazingly capable aeroplane and I think it's going to be around for a good while."

Col Callis, 46, has flown the planes since 1983 and followed in the footsteps of his father who flew some of the first aircraft to enter service.

He has flown other planes including the KC-10, a larger air refueller based on the DC-10 airliner, and C-17 transport plane.

But he said: "I still think this is the prettiest. I've enjoyed flying it."

Major updates, including the fitting of modern turbofan engines and computerised cockpit instrumentation, have helped keep the aircraft flying even though the last one rolled off the production line in 1965.

With no obvious replacement planned, Col Callis said it was possible that his two daughters, aged 20 and 15, could end up flying a KC-135 if they chose to join the Air Force.

To demonstrate the capability of the plane, and to mark the anniversary, the regional media was given the chance to fly on an air refuelling mission from Mildenhall.

The plane, built in 1963, passed nearly 10,000 gallons of fuel to eight F-15E Strike Eagle jets from the Lakenheath base over the sea off the Norfolk coast.

The refuelling was carried out in a little over 40 minutes while flying at 16,000ft and nearly 500mph.

The demonstration was a training exercise for the pilots involved to keep their skills up to scratch. But during conflicts such as the Iraq war, 4,600 planes were refuelled in flight by KC- 135s in all weathers during day and night.

During the 2005-6 year, Mildenhall's 15 KC-135s delivered nearly 15 million gallons of fuel in the air during 1,339 hours of flying.

Pilot Capt Josh Jensen, 29, said: "It's amazing to keep it going. It has its quirks, but it's a good bird." UK newspaper article.