KC-97 Stratotanker
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker, with Ohio Air National Guard markings | |
| Type | Strategic tanker |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| Primary users | United States Air Force Air National Guard |
| Produced | 60 |
| Developed from | C-97 Stratofreighter |
The Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker was a strategic tanker aircraft. For many years, it was the Backbone of the USAF's tanker fleet until replaced by the KC-135
Contents |
[edit] Development
The KC-97 Stratotanker is a Boeing Model 367 aerial refueling tanker variant of the C-97 Stratofreighter and the Boeing 377 Stratocruiser airliner greatly modified with all the necessary tanks, plumbing, and "flying boom". The cavernous main (upper) deck was capable of accommodating oversize cargo accessed through a very large left-side door; OR transferrable jet fuel was contained in tanks on the lower deck. Both decks were heated and pressurized for high altitude operations.
The Strategic Air Command had KC-97s Stratotankers in service from 1951 through 1964 and the Air National Guard from 1975 through 1977.
The United States Air Force operated the KC-97 from 1950 until being phased out in favor of the KC-135 beginning in 1956. KC-97's were transitioned to the Air Force Reserves and Air National Guard units and were finally retired completely in 1973. A total of 816 KC-97s were purchased from Boeing, as opposed to only 74 of the C-97 base cargo version. The KC-97 had piston engines, powered by gasoline, but was carrying jet fuel for its refueling mission, so it had to have independent fuel systems for both types of fuel. Two jet engines were added to increase speed and altitude, making the tankers more compatible with high performance jet aircraft.
These tankers were vitally important to the world-wide B-47 strategic mission. An example is the support of over-the-arctic reconnaissance flights from Thule Air Base. The struggle to start and operate this complex airplane from a deep freeze of minus 40 F was a triumph. Navigation in the arctic night/winter requires great skill.
A number of KC-97s survive, at least one of which, the Angel of Deliverance operated by the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation, is airworthy. Static displays include the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton, Ohio, March Field Air Museum in Riverside, California and the Carolinas Aviation Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina.
[edit] Operators
[edit] Specifications (KC-97L)
Data from USAF Museum<ref>Boeing KC-97L. USAF Museum. Retrieved on 2006-05-03.</ref> and FAS<ref>KC-97 Stratotanker. Federation of American Scientists WMD Resources. Retrieved on 2006-05-03.</ref>.
General characteristics<h3>
- Crew: five (two pilots, navigator, flight engineer, boom operator)
- Capacity: 9,000 gal (34,000 L) of jet fuel
- Length: 117 ft 5 in (m)
- Wingspan: 141 ft 2 in (m)
- Height: 38 ft 4 in (m)
- Wing area: ft² (m²)
- Empty weight: 82,500 lb (kg)
- Loaded weight: 153,000 lb (kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 175,000 lb (kg)
- Powerplant:
- 2× General Electric J47-GE-23 turbojets, 5,790 lbf (kN) each
- 4× Pratt & Whitney R-4360-59 radial engines, 3,500 hp (kW) each
- 2× General Electric J47-GE-23 turbojets, 5,790 lbf (kN) each
- 4× Pratt & Whitney R-4360-59 radial engines, 3,500 hp (kW) each
<h3>Performance<h3>
- Maximum speed: 400 mph (km/h)
- Cruise speed: 230 mph (km/h)
- Range: 2,300 mi (km)
- Service ceiling: 30,000 ft (m)
- Rate of climb: ft/min (m/s)
- Wing loading: lb/ft² (kg/m²)
- Power/mass (prop): hp/lb (kW/kg)
[edit] References
<references/>
[edit] External links
There are extensive external links to be found under the Boeing 377 article.
