KC-97 Stratotanker 2676005 224543819 2008-07-09T09:44:26Z Nono64 2313206 C-97 Stratofreighter : "C-97" link correction <!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. --> {{infobox Aircraft |name = KC-97 Stratotanker |type = Strategic tanker |manufacturer = [[Boeing]] |image = Image:KC97.jpg |caption = KC-97 in [[Ohio Air National Guard]] markings |designer = |first flight = |introduced = |produced = |retired = |status = |primary user = [[United States Air Force]] |more users = [[Spanish Air Force]] |number built = 816 |unit cost = |developed from = [[C-97 Stratofreighter]] |variants with their own articles = }} The '''[[Boeing]] KC-97 Stratotanker''' was a [[United States]] strategic [[Tanker (aircraft)|tanker aircraft]]. For many years, it was the backbone of the [[United States Air Force]]'s tanker fleet until replaced by the [[KC-135]]. ==Design and development== The KC-97 Stratotanker was an [[aerial refueling]] tanker variant of the [[C-97 Stratofreighter]], greatly modified with all the necessary tanks, plumbing, and "flying boom." The cavernous 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. ==Operational history== [[Image:A-7 180ARS.jpg|thumb|right|Two USAF [[A-7 Corsair II]]s refueling from a KC-97]] The USAF began operating the KC-97 in 1950. It purchased a total of 816 KC-97s from [[Boeing]], as opposed to only 74 of the C-97 cargo version. The KC-97 used [[piston engine]]s, fueled by [[avgas|aviation gasoline]], but it carried [[jet fuel]] for its [[aerial refueling|refueling]] mission. It therefore used independent systems for both types of fuel. These tankers were vitally important to the world-wide [[B-47]] strategic operations. An example is the support of Arctic reconnaissance flights from [[Thule Air Base]]. The struggle to start and operate this complex airplane at temperatures of -40<sup>o</sup> F was a triumph. Navigation in the Arctic conditions required great skill. While it was an effective tanker, the KC-97's slow speed and low operational altitude complicated refueling operations with jet aircraft. [[B-52 Stratofortress|B-52]]s typically lowered their flaps and rear landing gear to slow the aircraft enough to refuel from the KC-97. In addition, a typical B-52 refueling engagement profile would involve a descent that allowed the aircraft pair to maintain a higher airspeed (220-240 knots). In the early 1960s, [[Tactical Air Command|TAC]] added J-47 jet pods from retired [[B-50 Superfortress|KB-50]] tankers to produce the KC-97L. The jet pods increased performance and made the KC-97 more compatible with jet aircraft. In 1956, [[Strategic Air Command|SAC]] began phasing out the KC-97 in favor of the [[KC-135 Stratotanker|KC-135]]. KC-97s continued operating with TAC, the [[Air Force Reserves]], and [[Air National Guard]] units. They were finally retired completely in [[1978]], when the [[Texas Air National Guard|Texas]] and [[Utah Air National Guard]]s exchanged their KC-97Ls for [[C-130 Hercules|C-130]]s and [[KC-135 Stratotanker|KC-135]]s, respectively. ==Variants== <ref>AIRTime Publishing. (2006). International Air Power Review, Vol 20. ISBN 1-880588-91-9</ref> ;KC-97A :Three [[C-97 Stratofreighter|C-97]]As were converted into [[aerial refueling]] tankers with rear loading door removed and a flight refulling boom added. After the design was proven, they were converted back into the standard [[C-97 Stratofreighter|C-97]]A configuration. ;KC-97E :Production aircraft were factory-built as [[aerial refueling]] tankers with rear loading doors permanently closed, 60 built ;KC-97F :As KC-97Es but with 3800hp R-4360-59B engines and minor changes, 159 built ;KC-97G :Production aircraft were factory-built as dual-role [[aerial refueling]] tankers/cargo transportation aircraft. KC-97G models carried underwing fuel tanks. Many models were converted into full transport (i.e. aeromedical) or rescue roles, 592 built, 135 later had refuelling equipment removed and designated C-97G. ;GKC-97G :Five KC-97Gs were used as ground instruction airframes. ;JKC-97G :One aircraft was modified to test the underwing J47 jet engines, and was later designated KC-97L. ;KC-97H :One KC-97F was experimentally converted into a hose-and-drogue refueling aircraft. ;KC-97L :81 KC-97Gs were modified with a pair of J47 turbojet engines on underwing pylons. ==Operators== [[Image:Boeing KC-97L Stratotanker Albacete 3.jpg|thumb|right|Boeing KC-97L Stratotanker at Albacete]] [[Image:Boeing KC-97L Stratofreighter Zeppelinheim USAF.jpg|thumb|right|KC-97L Zeppelinheim]] ;{{ESP}} * [[Spanish Air Force]] ;{{USA}} * [[United States Air Force]] The following [[USAF]] wing organizations flew the various KC-97 models at some time during their existence: <REF>Rarenstein, Charles. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings: Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977. ISBN 0-912799-12-9</REF> ===Active Duty=== <div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;"> *[[2d Bomb Wing|2d Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[Hunter AAF|Hunter AFB]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] ([[1953]]-[[1963]]) **2d Air Refueling Squadron *[[9th Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[Mountain Home AFB]], [[Idaho]] ([[1954]]-[[1965]]) **9th Air Refueling Squadron *[[11th Wing|11th Air Refueling Wing]] - [[Altus AFB]], [[Oklahoma]] ([[1957]]-[[1958]]) **96th Air Refueling Squadron *[[19th Air Refueling Group|19th Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[Homestead AFB]], [[Florida]] ([[1955]]-[[1961]]) **19th Air Refueling Squadron Air Refueling Squadron **100th Air Refueling Squadron **303d Air Refueling Squadron *[[22d Air Refueling Wing|22d Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[March AFB]], [[California]] ([[1952]]-[[1962]]) **22d Air Refueling Squadron **320th Air Refueling Squadron *[[26th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing|26th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (Medium)]] - [[Lockborne AFB]], [[Ohio]] ([[1953]]-[[1955]]; [[1956]]-[[1958]]) **26th Air Refueling Squadron **321st Air Refueling Squadron *[[28th Bomb Wing|28th Bombardment Wing (Heavy)]] - [[Ellsworth AFB]], [[South Dakota]] ([[1962]]-[[1964]]) ** *[[40th Air Expeditionary Wing|40th Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] [[Schilling AFB]], [[Kansas]]([[1953]]-[[1960]]) **40th Air Refueling Squadron *[[42d Air Base Wing|42d Bombardment Wing (Heavy)]] - [[Limestone AFB]], [[Maine]] ([[1955]]-[[1957]]) **42d Air Refueling Squadron *[[43d Airlift Wing|43d Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[Davis-Monthan AFB]], [[Arizona]] ([[1953]]-[[1960]]) **9th Air Refueling Squadron **43d Air Refueling Squadron *[[44th Missile Wing|44th Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[Lake Charles AFB]], [[Louisiana]] ([[1953]]-[[1960]]) **44th Air Refueling Squadron *[[68th Air Refueling Group|68th Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[Lake Charles AFB]], [[Louisiana]] ([[1953]]-[[1957]]) **68th Air Refueling Squadron *[[70th Intelligence Wing|70th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (Medium)]] - [[Little Rock AFB]], [[Arkansas]] ([[1955]]-[[1961]]) **70th Air Refueling Squadron *[[90th Space Wing|90th Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[Fairchild AFB]], [[Washington]] ([[1955]]-[[1960]]) **90th Air Refueling Squadron *[[91st Space Wing|91st Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[Glasgow AFB]], [[Montana]] ([[1952]]-[[1957]]) **26th Air Refueling Squadron **68th Air Refueling Squadron **91st Air Refueling Squadron **100th Air Refueling Squadron *[[93d Air Control Wing|93d Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[Castle AFB]], [[California]] ([[1953]]-[[1957]]) **90th Air Refueling Squadron **93d Air Refueling Squadron *[[96th Air Base Wing|96th Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[Altus AFB]], [[Oklahoma]] ([[1954]]-[[1958]]) **11th Air Refueling Squadron **96th Air Refueling Squadron **321st Air Refueling Squadron **380th Air Refueling Squadron *[[97th Air Mobility Wing|97th Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[Biggs AFB]], [[Texas]] ([[1954]]-[[1957]]) **97th Air Refueling Squadron *[[98th Range Wing|98th Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[Lincoln AFB]], [[Nebraska]] ([[1954]]-[[1963]]) **98th Air Refueling Squadron **307th Air Refueling Squadron *[[100th Air Refueling Wing|100th Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[Portsmouth AFB]]/[[Pease AFB]], [[New Hampshire]] ([[1956]]-[[1966]]) **100th Air Refueling Squadron **349th Air Refueling Squadron **350th Air Refueling Squadron **351st Air Refueling Squadron **418th Air Refueling Squadron **509th Air Refueling Squadron *[[301st Air Refueling Wing|301st Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[Barksdale AFB]], [[Louisiana]]/[[Lockborne AFB]], [[Ohio]] ([[1953]]-[[1963]]) **301st Air Refueling Squadron *[[303d Bombardment Wing|303rd Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[Davis-Monthan AFB]], [[Arizona]] ([[1953]]-[[1956]]; [[1960]]) **9th Air Refueling Squadron **43d Air Refueling Squadron **96th Air Refueling Squadron **303d Air Refueling Squadron *[[305th Air Mobility Wing|305th Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[MacDill AFB]], [[Florida]] ([[1951]]-[[1959]]) **68th Air Refueling Squadron **70th Air Refueling Squadron **305th Air Refueling Squadron *[[306th Strategic Wing|306th Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[MacDill AFB]], [[Florida]] ([[1951]]-[[1962]]) **305th Air Refueling Squadron **306th Air Refueling Squadron *[[307th Strategic Wing|307th Bomardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[Lincoln AFB]], [[Nebraska]] ([[1955]]-[[1960]]) **305th Air Refueling Squadron **306th Air Refueling Squadron *[[308th Strategic Missile Wing|308th Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[Hunter AFB]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] ([[1953]]-[[1959]]) **303d Air Refueling Squadron **308th Air Refueling Squadron *[[310th Space Group|310th Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[Smoky Hill AFB]]/[[Schilling AFB]], [[Kansas]] ([[1952]]-[[1963]]) **40th Air Refueling Squadron **310th Air Refueling Squadron *[[320th Air Expeditionary Wing|320th Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[March AFB]], [[California]] ([[1952]]-[[1960]]) **320th Air Refueling Squadron *[[321st Air Expeditionary Wing|321st Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[Pinecastle AFB]], [[Florida]] ([[1954]]-[[1956]]) **307th Air Refueling Squadron **321st Air Refueling Squadron *[[340th Flying Training Group|340th Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[Sedalia AFB]], [[Missouri]] ([[1954]]-[[1962]]) **34th Air Refueling Squadron **340th Air Refueling Squadron *[[341st Space Wing|341st Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[Dyess AFB]], [[Texas]] ([[1956]]-[[1960]]) **11th Air Refueling Squadron *[[376th Air Expeditionary Wing|376th Bombardment Wing (Medium)]] - [[Barksdale AFB]], [[Louisiana]]/[[Lockborne AFB]], [[Ohio]] ([[1953]]-[[1963]]) **91st Air Refueling Squadron **376th Air Refueling Squadron *[[379th Air Expeditionary Wing|379th Bombardment Wing ]] - [[Homestead AFB]], [[Florida]] ([[1956]]) **19th Air Refueling Squadron *[[384th Bomb Wing|384th Air Refueling Wing (Heavy)]] - [[Little Rock AFB]], [[Arkansas]] ([[1961]]-[[1963]]) **70th Air Refueling Squadron **544th Air Refueling Squadron **545th Air Refueling Squadron **546th Air Refueling Squadron **547th Air Refueling Squadron *[[397th Bomb Wing|397th Bombardment Wing (Heavy)]] - [[Dow AFB]], [[Maine]] ([[1963]]-[[1964]]) **19th Air Refueling Squadron **71st Air Refueling Squadron **341st Air Refueling Squadron *[[407th Strategic Fighter Wing]] - [[Great Falls AFB]], [[Montana]] ([[1957]]) **407th Air Refueling Squadron *[[497th Air Refueling Wing]] - [[Plattsburgh AFB]], [[New York]] ([[1962]]-[[1964]]) **26th Air Refueling Squadron **380th Air Refueling Squadron *[[499th Air Refueling Wing]] - [[Westover AFB]], [[Massachusetts]] ([[1963]]-[[1965]]) **11th Air Refueling Squadron **19th Air Refueling Squadron **99th Air Refueling Squadron **303d Air Refueling Squadron **305th Air Refueling Squadron **384th Air Refueling Squadron *[[500th Air Refueling Wing]] - [[Selfridge AFB]], [[Michigan]] ([[1963]]-[[1964]]) **44th Air Refueling Squadron **307th Air Refueling Squadron *[[509th Bomb Wing|509th Bombardment Wing (Heavy)]] - [[Walker AFB]], [[New Mexico]]/[[Pease AFB]], [[New Hampshire]] ([[1954]]-[[1965]]) **34th Air Refueling Squadron **509th Air Refueling Squadron *[[4397th Air Refueling Training Wing]] - [[Randolph AFB]], [[Texas]] ([[1958]]-[[1963]]) ** XX Air Refueling Squadron *[[4397th Air Refueling Training Wing]] - [[Randolph AFB]], [[Texas]] ([[1958]]-[[1963]]) ** XX Air Refueling Squadron *[[4050th Air Refueling Wing]] - [[Westover AFB]], [[Massachusetts]] ([[1955]]-[[1962]]) *[[4060th Air Refueling Wing]] - [[Dow AFB]], [[Maine]]/[[Plattsburgh AFB]], [[New York]] ([[1955]]-[[1962]]) *[[4108th Air Refueling Wing]] - [[Plattsburgh AFB]], [[New York]] ([[1961]]-[[1965]] *[[4045th Air Refueling Wing]] - *[[4061st Air Refueling Wing]] *[[4081st Air Refueling Wing]] - [[Ernest Harmon AFB]], [[NFLD]] ([[19??]] - [[1966]]) **376 Air Refueling Squadron </DIV> ===Air National Guard=== <div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;"> *[[106th Rescue Wing|106th Air Refueling Group]] - [[Suffolk County Airport]], [[New York]] ([[19]]-[[19]]) **102d Air Refueling Squadron *[[126th Air Refueling Wing]] - [[O'Hare International Airport]], [[Illinois]] ([[19]]-[[19]]) **108th Air Refueling Squadron *[[128th Air Refueling Wing]] - [[Mitchell International Airport]], [[Wisconsin]] ([[19]]-[[19]]) **126th Air Refueling Squadron *[[134th Air Refueling Wing]] - [[McGhee Tyson Airport]], [[Tennessee]] ([[19]]-[[19]]) *146th ATW Van Nuys, California 1962 - 1967 **151st Air Refueling Squadron *[[136th Airlift Wing|136th Air Refueling Wing]] - [[NAS Dallas]], [[Texas]] ([[1965]]-[[1978]]) **181st Air Refueling Squadron *[[139th Airlift Wing|139th Air Refueling Group]] - [[Rosecrans Municipal Airport]], [[Missouri]] ([[1969]]-[[1976]]) **180th Air Refueling Squadron *[[151st Air Refueling Wing|151st Air Refueling Group]] - [[Salt Lake City International Airport]], [[Utah]] ([[1972]]-[[1978]]) **191st Air Refueling Squadron *[[160th Air Refueling Group]] - [[Lockborne AFB]], [[Ohio]] ([[1965]]-[[1975]]) **145th Air Refueling Squadron *[[161st Air Refueling Wing|161st Air Refueling Group]] - [[Sky Harbor International Airport]], [[Arizona]] ([[1972]]-[[1977]]) **197th Air Refueling Squadron *[[171st Air Refueling Wing]] - [[Pittsburgh International Airport]], [[Pennsylvania]] ([[1972]]-[[1977]]) **147th Air Refueling Squadron </DIV> ==Survivors== A number of KC-97s survive, at least two of which are airworthy: the ''Angel of Deliverance'' operated by the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation, and N1365N known as ''Tanker 97'' and operated until recently as an [[aerial firefighting]] airtanker by Hawkins & Powers. Static displays include the KC-97L "Zeppelinheim" at the [[National Museum of the United States Air Force]] at [[Wright-Patterson AFB]] near [[Dayton, Ohio]], the [http://www.amcmuseum.org/ Air Mobility Command Museum][[Dover AFB, Delaware]], [[March Field Air Museum]] in [[Riverside, California]], the [[Museum of Aviation]] at [[Robins Air Force Base]] in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], [[Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport]] in [[Central Point, Oregon]], [[Carolinas Aviation Museum]] in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]], Grissom Air Museum in [[Peru, Indiana]], [[Dyess Air Force Base]] in [[Abilene, TX]], and at [[Castle Air Museum]] in [[Atwater, California]]. ==Photo Gallery== <GALLERY> Image: KC-97 Boom Pod 1.png|KC-97 Boom Pod Image: KC-97 Boom Pod 2.png|KC-97 Boom Pod Image: KC-97 Boom Pod 3.png|KC-97 Boom Pod Image: KC-97 Boom 1.png|KC-97 Boom Image: KC-97 Boom 2.png|KC-97 Boom Image: KC-97 Boom 3.png|KC-97 Boom </GALLERY> ==Specifications (KC-97L) == {{aircraft specifications <!-- if you do not understand how to use this template, please ask at [[Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Aircraft]] --> |plane or copter?=plane |jet or prop?=both |ref=USAF Museum<ref>{{cite web | work=USAF Museum | url=http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/outdoor/od18.htm | title=Boeing KC-97L | accessdate=2006-05-03 }}</ref> ''and'' FAS<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/bomber/kc-97.htm | title=KC-97 Stratotanker | accessdate=2006-05-03 | work=Federation of American Scientists WMD Resources}}</ref>. |crew=five (two pilots, navigator, flight engineer, boom operator) |capacity=9,000 gal (34,000 L) of jet fuel |length main=117 ft 5 in |length alt= m |span main=141 ft 2 in |span alt= m |height main=38 ft 4 in |height alt= m |area main= ft² |area alt= m² |airfoil= |empty weight main=82,500 lb |empty weight alt= kg |loaded weight main=153,000 lb |loaded weight alt= kg |useful load main= |useful load alt= |max takeoff weight main=175,000 lb |max takeoff weight alt= kg |more general= |engine (jet)=[[General Electric J47]]-GE-23 |type of jet=[[turbojet]]s |number of jets=2 |thrust main=5,790 lbf |thrust alt= kN |engine (prop)=[[Pratt & Whitney R-4360]]-59 |type of prop=[[radial engine]]s |number of props=4 |power main=3,500 hp |power alt= kW |max speed main=400 mph |max speed alt= km/h |cruise speed main=230 mph |cruise speed alt= km/h |range main=2,300 mi |range alt= km |ceiling main=30,000 ft |ceiling alt= m |climb rate main= ft/min |climb rate alt= m/s |loading main= lb/ft² |loading alt= kg/m² |thrust/weight=<!-- a unitless ratio --> |thrust/weight main= lbf/lb |thrust/weight alt= N/kg |power/mass main= hp/lb |power/mass alt= kW/kg |more performance= }} ==See also== {{aircontent |related= * [[C-97 Stratofreighter]] * [[B-50 Superfortress]] * [[Boeing 377 Stratocruiser]] * [[Aero Spacelines Pregnant Guppy]] * [[Aero Spacelines Super Guppy]] |similar aircraft= * [[C-124 Globemaster II]] |sequence= |lists= * [[List of military aircraft of the United States]] |see also= }} ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== {{Commons|KC-97 Stratotanker}} * [http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=374 KC-97 page at the National Museum of the United States Air Force] * [http://www.spiritoffreedom.org/c97.html Airworthy KC-97 ''Angel of Deliverance''] {{Boeing support aircraft}} {{B-29 family}} {{United States Military Aerial Refueling Aircraft}} {{aviation lists}} [[Category:Mixed-power aircraft]] [[Category:United States military tanker aircraft 1940-1949|C-97 Stratotanker]] [[Category:Boeing aircraft|KC-097]] [[Category:United States military tanker aircraft]] [[Category:Propeller aircraft]] [[Category:Low wing aircraft]] [[Category:Multiple engine aircraft]] [[Category:Air refueling]] [[de:Boeing KC-97]] [[el:KC-97 Stratotanker]] [[es:Boeing KC-97]] [[ja:KC-97 (航空機)]] [[no:Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker]] [[tr:KC-97 Stratotanker]]