Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker

 

KC-135 Refueling B-52 Stratofortress 

INTRODUCTION

The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is an aerial refueling tanker used by USAF.  It was the first jet powered aerial refueling tanker, replacing the propeller driven KC-97.

The KC-97 was a derivative of the B-29 Superfortress also built and designed by Boeing.  The KC-135 went into service in 1957 and has been in service now 59 years and is estimated to be used until 2040

The KC-135 was born around the 1952-1953 time period.  The military wanted an jet-powered tanker and Boeing had built a Boeing 367-80 prototype that eventually became the forerunner  for the B-707 series.

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