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KC-135R Stratotanker in Flight
KC-135R Stratotanker in Flight
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Similar tones
KC-135R Stratotanker in Flight
The KC-135 was born out of necessity and innovation. In the early 1950s, Strategic Air Command was beginning to operate the new jet-powered Boeing B-52 Stratofortress that with in-flight refueling was capable of striking targets anywhere in the world. At the time, however, the only tankers in the SAC inventory were piston-engined KC-97s. The difference in performance between the two planes forced the B-52 to fly near its aerodynamic stall speed during aerial refueling. This situation created an opportunity for Boeing to introduce a jet-powered aerial refueling tanker—and further refine the “flying boom” refueling technology it invented in the late 1940s.
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Unique identifier
BI230115
Boeing ID
597-62
Type
Image
Size
2925px × 2368px 19MB
License type
RM
Keywords
1950s
707-120
air to air
airplanes
clouds
copy space
cutouts
day
exteriors
flying
full body views
gray color
KC-135R Stratotanker
left side views
military
military livery
photos
sunshine
text
white
Restrictions