Air Enthusiast 2006-11
D.Willis - Extended Family /Post-war combat/ (1)
A KP-29P equipped with a 'flying boom' suckles a Republic F-84F Thunderstreak.
The photographs of the simulated tanking of a B-52 from the 367-80 greatly helped the selection of the Boeing solution for SAC’s new tanker requirement.
With a row of new KC-97Gs as a backdrop, the 367-80 on the ramp soon after its roll-out at Renton. By then the pretence that the two types were related had been dropped.
As a concept demonstrator for a jet tanker the Dash 80 was fitted with a flying boom at an early point in its flight development programme.
'City of Renton' and the Dash 80 pose in formation, illustrating the similarities and few differences between the concept demonstrator and tanker.
USAF KC-135As equipped with a hose and drogue extension added to the boom provided tanker support to the RAF's QRA EE Lightning force for a short while after the withdrawal from service of the Valiant tanker, circa 1966.
Three KC-135As sit at Tan Son Nhut in December 1965, having flown Bob Hope and his entourage to entertain US troops stationed in SEA.
To allow the KC-135 to refuel aircraft equipped with a probe a hose extension was developed that could be attached to the flying boom. Two AFRes KC-135As from Mather at Cottesmore, UK, April 1990.
The larger fin and rudder helped relieve the KC-135's directional stability problems. This aircraft has the rearward facing extension on the tip in which is contained a searchlight to help facilitate night refuelling sorties.
U-Tapao in Thailand was one of several bases to play host to tanker deployments during the SEA conflict. By August 1968 nearly all KC-135As, including 63-8027, had been painted to help prevent corrosion
Mildenhall remains a major hub for tanker operations: complete with SAC 'sash' KC-135A 59-1490 visiting in 1974.
A line-up of KC-135As at Carswell AFB in late-1983. By then the prototypes of re-engined variants had flown and the days were numbered for the J57-powered aircraft with SAC.
While the use of water injection allowed the KC-135A to take off with a heavier load of fuel, it also produced large amounts of smoke and noise. 56-3640 at Mildenhall, 1983.
‘City of Renton' 55-3118 was the first KC-135A built and initially served as a test and evaluation aircraft. It was later converted as an EC-135K
The name 'City of Moses Lake’ was painted on the nose of 55-3126, which was flown by the SAC commander Curtiss LeMay to break several official and unofficial records.
Another view of 'City of Moses Lake' (55-3126) on the Boeing Field flight line. The tail-less trio in the background are intriguing
A line-up of KC-135As on the distinctive river-side ramp at Renton.
Training of KC-135A crews was undertaken by the 93rd AREFS at Castle AFB, California, the first SAC unit to receive the new tanker.
SAC intended the KC-135 fleet Io support the bombers in all weathers, day and night.
As part of the extensive evaluation of the KC-135A 55-3124 was fitted with a long nose probe to measure angles of attack and sideslip forces.
Another view of 'City of Renton' showing the flying boom in stowed position and (under the wing) the crew access door.
The KC-135A fleet underwent many modifications during its service career, the most noticeable being the replacement of the original fin (as seen on 59-1512) by a taller unit and the installation of metal bands around the rear fuselage.
A KC-135 refuels a TAC F-100 Super Sabre using the adaptor on the end of the flying boom.
KC-135A 58-0004 and B-52G 57-6471, the B-52 carrying a calibration cross for test purposes on its upper fuselage.
The absence of clouds of black smoke emanating from the J57s reveal that this KC-135A is about to touch down. This aircraft was later modified as a KC-135Q.
KC-135A 55-3121 wearing the badge of the Air Force Research and Development Command on its nose, was involved in a series of adverse weather trials as part of the thorough evaluation of the tanker
The KC-97F was a capable tanker, but the advent of jet bombers - ie the B-47 - showed lip the restrictions of prop-tankers.
Три «Супер Сейбра» из 451-й эскадрильи дозаправляются от танкера KB-50J. 1956 г.
COMING SHORTLY. When North American F-100C Super Sabres occupy U.S.A.F. bases in the United Kingdom in 1957, the Hayes Aircraft-converted Boeing KB-50D Superfortress will become a familiar sight. The Hayes KB-50D will replace the KB-29P Superforts which currently refuel Republic F-84F Thunderstreaks using the single, tail-mounted "Flying Boom" refuelling system. The Hayes Aircraft KB-50D incorporates the British-developed Flight Refuelling "Probe and Drogue" system - with 80-ft. reels capable of off-loading up to 7,250 U.S. gallons of JP-4 at pressure of 120 to 200 p.s.i. Hayes Aircraft has modernised over a thousand B-25 Mitchells (B-25J to '25L).