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]]