Air Enthusiast 2007-03
D.Willis - Extended Family /Post-war combat/ (3)
The RCAF operated two Comets, though it used them only briefly
Although the vast majority of C-135s were built as tankers, 48 were delivered in two-transport configuration for MATS, among them 30 C-135Bs (including 61-2663).
C-135C 61-2669 carried a Department of the Air Force seal on its modified cargo door, as befitting the personal aircraft of the service's commander.
'Speckled Trout' was equipped with the HAVE SIREN anti-missile system on the pylons of each powerplant.
While several aircraft have undertaken the 'Speckled' Trout role, the most famous is C-135C 61-2669, resplendent in a highly-polished scheme of white and natural metal.
Although the C-135As were frequently used as troop transports, cabin windows were not installed, as part of a move to keep costs down. The forward cargo door was also standard on the KC-135A.
The C-135B introduced the TF33 powerplant to the C-135 family, greatly improving performance in comparison to J57-powered versions.
The most obvious difference between the KC-135A and C-135A was the later aircraft's lack of flying boom, replaced by a fuel dump pipe
Two of the three C-135A ‘Falsies' converted from KC-135As share Boeing's ramp with a pair of tankers in 1960.
The first C-135A was rolled out on May 1, 1961, from Boeing's Transport Division plant at Renton, Washington
Widely used by the USAF during the 1950s and 1960s, the C-124A Globemaster II’s cavernous hold is shown off to good effect here as one of four Hiller UH-12Es bound for the Chilean Air Force is winched aboard - apart from removal of the main rotor, no other dismantling was needed to accommodate helicopters of this size.
The backbone of MATS airlift in the early years was the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II, which could carry 95% of the US Army's Field Force equipment. The picture shows loading trials with a Hiller UH-12 (or H-23 Raven).
The Douglas C-133 Cargomaster bore the brunt of long-range transport in Vietnam: an example is shown at Ton Son Nhut in November 1969.
Lockheed's C-141 Starlifter set the layout for jet transports - high wing, four-engined, rear ramp configuration that is still employed by the C-17 today.
Although the ‘Argus 2' carried unusual artwork on its nose, its most distinctive feature was the two large windows mounted in the cargo door.
C-135E 60-0375 became the ‘Argus 2' in 1992 and was involved in projects related to the ‘Star Wars' programme.
Several KC-135As were equipped as command posts and staff transport, including 61-0316, which was used until 1975 by the Commander-in-Chief of Strike Command