Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker
Friday, May 27, 2011 by dev
Photo Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker
Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker
The KC-97 Stratotanker was an aerial refueling tanker variant from the C-97 Stratofreighter (that was itself in line with the B-29 Superfortress), greatly modified with the necessary tanks, plumbing, and "flying boom." The cavernous upper deck was capable of accommodating oversize cargo accessed through a very large right-side door. In addition, transferrable jet fuel was found in tanks on the lower deck. Both decks were heated and pressurized for thin air operations.
Operational historyTwo USAF A-7 Corsair IIs refueling from a KC-97
The USAF began operating the KC-97 in 1950. It obtained a total of 816 KC-97s from Boeing, instead of only 74 from the C-97 cargo version. The KC-97 used piston engines, fueled by aviation gasoline, but it carried jet fuel for its refueling mission. Choice used independent systems for both kinds of fuel.
These tankers were vitally important to the world-wide B-47 Stratojet strategic operations. An example is the support of Arctic reconnaissance flights from Thule Air Base.
While it was an effective tanker, the KC-97's slow speed and low operational altitude complicated refueling operations with jet aircraft. B-52s typically lowered their flaps and rear landing gear to slow the aircraft enough to refuel in the KC-97. In addition, a typical B-52 refueling engagement profile would involve a descent that allowed the aircraft pair to keep a greater airspeed (220-240 knots). In the early 1960s, the Tactical Air Command added J-47 jet pods from retired KB-50 tankers to create the KC-97L. The jet pods increased performance and made the KC-97 more suitable for jet aircraft.
In 1956, SAC began phasing the KC-97 in favor of the KC-135. KC-97s continued operating with TAC, the environment Force Reserve, and also the Air National Guard. The KC-97 was finally retired completely in 1978, once the Texas and Utah Air National Guards exchanged their KC-97Ls for C-130s and KC-135s, respectively.
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