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| In August 1954, the USAF announced that it intended to procure a number of tanker/transports developed from the prototype Boeing Model 387-80 which had first flown a few weeks earlier. These were allocated the designation KC-135A, and the first of them made its initial flight on 31 August 1956; 10 months later, on 28 June 1957, the first was delivered to Castle AFB, California. Since that time a family of variants has been produced in large numbers for service with the USAF, mainly as tankers (Stratotankers) or cargo transports (Stratolifters). Two modified KC-135As are used by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to check navigation aids throughout the United States.
This military version of the Model 367-80 is identified as the Boeing Model 717: it differs primarily from the later Model 707 by having a smaller-diameter fuselage, deletion of cabin windows, reduced size and weight, and accommodation for 80 passengers or an equivalent weight of cargo on the main deck. All equipment for the tanker role is carried on the lower deck, or normal cargo area, and includes the pivoted 'Flying Boom' refuelling gear. This was modified subsequently by the provision
of an adaptor to allow for probe-and-drogue refuelling of Tactical Air Command and US Navy/Marine Corps aircraft. Power is provided by four 6123kg thrust Pratt & Whitney J57-P-59W turbojets.
The Model 717 Stratolifter family differs from the foregoing by being equipped specifically to serve as long-range transports. These have the refuelling boom deleted, but there is a structural similarity between these two basic tanker/lifter types, with interior changes in the latter providing accommodation for up to 126 troops, or 44 stretchers plus 54 sitting casualties. Galley and toilet facilities are provided at the rear of the cabin, and provision is made for an alternative all-freight role. The initial version was the C-135A with turbojet engines, first flown on 19 May 1961, and delivered to MATS on 8 June 1961 to become the USAF's first strategic jet transport.
Now, almost 30 years later and with 820 delivered, it is inevitable that there are a number of variants, including specially-built versions and conversions, and brief details of these are given below. Recent modifications include structural strengthening and re-engining with CFM56 turbofans with increased thrust and reduced fuel consumption.
| CREW | 4-5 |
| PASSENGERS | 126 |
| ENGINE | 4 x turbo-jet P+W TF-33-P-5 |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 125000 kg | 275579 lb |
| Empty weight | 47000 kg | 103618 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 39.9 m | 131 ft 11 in |
| Length | 41.0 m | 135 ft 6 in |
| Height | 11.7 m | 38 ft 5 in |
| Wing area | 226.0 m2 | 2432.64 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 970 km/h | 603 mph |
| Cruise speed | 650 km/h | 404 mph |
| Ceiling | 10700 m | 35100 ft |
| Range w/max.fuel | 14800 km | 9197 miles |
| Range w/max payload | 4900 km | 3045 miles |
| Lisa Hafendorfer, e-mail, 25.11.2011 04:02 The KC 153 that crashed in Okinawa was on May 19 1966 at 0331:47 time. My father Charles Thomas Hafendorfer was the Navigator on that flight reply | | Donald R. Laferty, e-mail, 08.10.2011 03:15 I retired in 1975 as a avionics (doppler /nav aids, air refueling beacon,search radar)tech and of all the airplanes I worked on during my 21 year career, the KC-135A was one of the greatest. "Young Tiger" and "Crome Dome" support operations took me to a places like Kadena, Spain and state side SAC units, Seymour Johnson, Carswell and a few others. One tail number that I remember is the first KC-135A, 55-3118 at SJAFB, the TAC commander's airplane. Those of us that were on flying status at SJAFB would try to get our required monthly flying time on 118 because it was so plush. Brings back lots of memories to read some of the comments on here and see some of the familiar tail numbers mention. God speed to all. reply | | Clifford W Brown, e-mail, 15.09.2011 02:07 I too remember (56-3594) Iwas the asst. C /C on that aircraft, at Castle AFB after the wing was repaired. It very good until it got into the heavier fuel loads at Eielson AFB AK. Looking for anyone who Knows the fate of 55-3146, and 64-14828. It is a great airplane and they finelly got fans. reply | | Lewis Godfrey, e-mail, 19.08.2011 23:03 The KC-135 was the first military aircraft I ever flew on after I joined the Air Force in 1977. My first ride was in 1981 or 82 and we took off out of Dyess AFB, TX in the early morning to refuel some new F-15A & B's over the desert of Arizona at sunrise. I got some spectacular photos of the -15's flying off our left wing and during the refueling. The Boom Operator was even nice enough to let me fly the boom for a little bit, between refuelings! reply | |
| | JERRY MALDONADO, e-mail, 21.07.2011 05:05 RE: Mike Pickett, I was in Okinawa on Kadena AFB in 1967, not to sure what month, I was in 3rd grade and my dad was in the AF. Lots of rain and dark on that day we heard a loud expolsion while in class, we went to the door a seen the fire. Later we learned a KC-135 had crashed and hit a highway. We seen the wreckage after school. Sorry about no exact date, but it was during the school year. Thx, Jerry. reply | | mike pickett, e-mail, 26.06.2011 19:05 I need the date of a KC-135 crash at Kadena AFB, Okinawa around 1965-67 reply | | Richard VanBuren,(VAN), e-mail, 04.04.2011 15:10 USAF Ret, 1951-1974, MSgt, I was a crew cheif at Bunker Hill from 61-66. I crewed 59-1450 and a62 model 0022.I beleive 1450 is now at Knoxville,TN airport in the reserves. I saw it there one day while on a shopping trip.Sure would like to get up close and personal again. reply | | Art Schefler, e-mail, 28.03.2011 03:56 I flew in the KC /EC as navigator from 1961 to 1970. Been almost everywhere that rice was served with every meal. Time in Takhli, and U-tapao. Flew with A /Cs John Saylor, Bill King, Lennie Jankowiak, Bob Harter. CPs Ron Wilson, Paul Davis, Roger Metcalf (Killed on Approach to Spain), Leroy Tietsort. BOs William O. Jones, Charlie Brown. reply | | Bob Ponti, e-mail, 26.03.2011 19:10 KC 135 midair over Med (lost H bomb) was with a crew from Bergstrom AFB, Austin Tx.. AC involved had flown B-17s in the big one--name was Major Chapla.
I have lots of KC-135 stories--A full spin in 1964, Chased by a MIG in 1966, Looked down on Hanoi in 1964, though a typhoon in1966 (med evac). Lots more--great old bird! reply | | charles holt, e-mail, 24.03.2011 19:02 i worked on the kc-135 at barksdale afb from about 1962 until 1964 i was asst c /c on a /c 1507 most of the time my c /c was sgt catalano and later sgt chaffee we had a good time on that a /c it was a good one a little under powered with the j-57 engs on it we spent some time in madrid spain with it we were there during the cuban crises and also when kennedy got killed reply | | Don Barker, e-mail, 17.02.2011 23:26 During my Air Force years (1971-1980), I worked Doppler /INS on KC-135A at Pease AFB, U Tapao RTNAB, K.I.Sawyer AFB, RAF Mildenhall and TDYs on Guam. I have a very soft spot for this aircraft and the crews who flew them. reply | | hardison michael, e-mail, 14.02.2011 16:37 55-3118 was the first acft. i was assigned to as a fresh crew chief. 1976 til 1978 i was a member of the 8th ...TDCS. We located to Tinker AFB from Seymour Johnson in 1978 after the crash of Acft 3536*. Blues uniforms n all. reply | | Wayne Stutes, e-mail, 05.01.2011 16:13 I flew as a Nav in the KC-135A model from 1970 to 1976. As most of crews, I flew two short tours in SE Asia and many alert tours and fighter drags. As Navs we had very basic navigation; celestial, pressure pattern and dead reconing. What we navigated with on a normal basis, other aircraft were not allowed to only operate with. Flew most of my time with Tom Kelley (AC), Tony Larenzano (CP), Mel Aronoff (CP) and Vince Bobrowski (BO). Hows that for a diverse crew. We functioned very well as a crew. I believe we were crew E-157 out of Grisson AFB, IN. We were "Crew of the Quarter" for saving a tanker that had an engine fire in #2 engine on takeoff. We handled it in a calm and professional manner. My hands only started shaking after I called my wife from Base Ops and told her that our mission had been canceled for maintainence problems. She didn't know what happened until the base newspaper announced us crew of the quarter a month later. It was a great bird and I enjoyed it and the people I flew with tremendously. Thanks to Uncle Sam, a Cajun from Lafayette, LA got to see most of the United States and and a good part of the world. reply | | Dan Friedlander, e-mail, 04.12.2010 00:06 I had my first experience with 135s at Carswell AFB texas in January of 1960 when helping out with Chrome Dome ops. I was assigned to Acft 57-1493 working for Rich Fields. After 3 years on B-47s the 135 was a Cadillac in comparison. My next contact with this great bird came when I was assigned to Minot AFB in 1963. I had the good luck to be assigned to Acft 58-0119 (Huckleberry Hound) with Harvey Harris as my Crew Chief. Harvey was a great C /C and 119 was a great bird We made several reflex support and Chrome Dome support missions to Spain and a couple of Lima Mike missions taking fighters to the far east. Old Huckleberry performed perfectly on all of those missions. In late 64 I was assigned to Ramey AFB PR and luckily to 135s once again. I made two 60 day tdys to Okinawa and one to Clark with 57-2597 our lead the fleet bird. Once again almost flawless missions did a couple of Chrome Domes to Eielson AFB with 57-1501 and Leonard Mobley. I was tdy to Torrejon with Captain Tom Dugan and crew when the Midair took place between the tanker from Blytheville and the 52 from Seymour Johnson. Many memories from my tanker days,Great people and great birds. Hopefully Boeing will get the contract for the 135 replacement bird. They make a great product and I don't think there is anybody that can come close to them when making large aircraft. Does anyone know where 58-119 is assigned these days? reply | |
| | Jim Ford, e-mail, 08.11.2010 05:34 Flew as a B.O. on the old gal for 18 years. Retired in 1978. Guam, U-tapao, Kadena were my second home for 10 years or so. So many stories. Flew into North Viet Nam once to bring out a 105 low on fuel. Red Crown asked and we went. Asked a Nav. at an air show not too long ago when they got rid of the J-57s and put on the new fans. He told me the plane had always had fan jets. Ended up flying the Q model. Lots of good SR stories. Love that TANKER. reply | | DON MOIR, e-mail, 22.10.2010 20:33 I was stationed at Minot afb. North Dakota from 1958 till 1962. I cewed 58-108, 58-126. and picked up 59-1501 from Moses Lake Wa. Does anyone know where any of these happened to be. reply | | martin waldman, e-mail, 13.10.2010 19:20 I served as a crew member on the first 135 made EC-135k 55-3118 at Seymour-Johnson Goldsboro N.C.
What a great aircraft.We carried Gen. William Momyer,Gen Robert Dixon all over the world. reply | | Larry Hannah, e-mail, 12.10.2010 06:49 Jim Evans You brought back memories of the day 61-0313 glided in at KI Sawyer. I was on the crew that towed it off the runway. We had to load the cargo area, just inside the cargo door, with barrels of water to bring the c /g forward enough to keep it from tipping aft before we could tow it off the runway. Thanks for the memories. reply | | Buz Allen, e-mail, 10.10.2010 04:03 I got 1600hrs in the A model 1971-76 and what a battleship she was!! Boring holes over the Gulf of Tonkin waiting for receivers my AC and I got into a waterfight and left the poor nav ondeck alone at FL260. Next thing I know she starts a smooth roll but doesn't stop at 30degress of bank a look at the nav shoulders shrugged tells me we got trouble!! At approx.4000ft I'm firmly in Co-pilot seat completing the aeileron roll the auto-pilot started when the aeileron axis failed, above Mach 1!! Not one panel or piece departed this a /c which Far exceeded it's speed limitations! And yes she will fly on ONE engine loosing 200ft /min.all the while orbiting waiting for runway to open! General still asleep on that side of the A /C!!! reply | | Jake, e-mail, 30.09.2010 05:25 One day I was a new co-pilot on alert at March AFB when we were tasked with pre-flighting line aircraft early one morning. As the newby cop, I had to go up in the cockpit and advise the command post where we were. They related we had an emergency launch as there was a buff coming in from Guam and was not going to make it to conus. They had permission to land downwind at LAX but we had to save them. There were no procedures for this "Emergency Launch" so our launch message was the wing commander waving a fire extinguisher saying get that son of a bitch in the air. We went to the hammerhead and started the refueling pumps, spraying JP-4 all over the place. Then the WC said again the launch message and we started. About halfway down the 12,000 foot runway we were still way under rotate speed. I looked at the AC and he just nodded. Full throttle and we over boosted all four engines, rotated at the overrun and somehow got airborn. Called for the gear up and the red light would not go out in the handle... stuck nosewheel gear door. Went around the hill adjacent to the runway and gradually got to altitude. Found the buff and gave him some gas and sure to their their reputation, never even got a thank you. Later figure our takeoff weight to be about 290,000 lbs.
It was a mighty bird and I spent the next four years flying it all over the globe. It saved me several more times and I will never forget the good times we had in the cockpit.
Go Boeing !! reply |
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