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KC-97 Stratotanker
KC-97 in Ohio Air National Guard markings
Type	Strategic tanker
Manufacturer	Boeing
Primary users	United States Air Force Air National Guard
Number built	816
Developed from	C-97 Stratofreighter

The Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker was a strategic tanker aircraft. For many years, it was the backbone of the United States Air Force's tanker fleet until replaced by the KC-135.

Contents 1 Development 2 Operational service 3 Specifications (KC-97L) 4 KC-97 Variants[3] 4.1 KC-97A 4.2 KC-97E 4.3 KC-97F 4.4 KC-97G 4.5 GKC-97G 4.6 JKC-97G 4.7 KC-97H 4.8 KC-97L 5 Operators 6 Units 6.1 Active Duty 6.2 Air National Guard 7 Surviving Airframes 8 Photo Gallery 9 References 10 External links 11 Related content

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.

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 engines, fueled by aviation gasoline, but it carried jet fuel for its 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^o 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-52s 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 1960's, TAC added J-47 jet pods from retired 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, SAC began phasing out the KC-97 in favor of the 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 and Utah Air National Guards exchanged their KC-97Ls for C-130s and KC-135s, respectively.

Data from USAF Museum^[1] and FAS^[2].

General characteristics

• 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

Performance

• 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)

Three C-97As were converted into aerial refueling tankers. After the design was proven, they were converted back into the standard C-97A configuration.

60 production aircraft were factory-built as aerial refueling tankers.

159 production aircraft were factory-built as aerial refueling tankers.

592 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.

Five KC-97Gs were used as ground instruction airframes.

One aircraft was modified to test the underwing J47 jet engines, and was later designated KC-97L.

One KC-97F was experimentally converted into a hose-and-drogue refueling aircraft.

81 aircraft were modified with a pair of turbojet engines for greater thrust.

 United States: The United States Air Force is the only operator of the Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker.

The following USAF wing organizations flew the various KC-97 models at some time during their existence: ^[4]

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 Air Mobility Command MuseumDover AFB, Delaware, March Field Air Museum in Riverside, California, the Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport in Central Point, Oregon, Carolinas Aviation Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina and at Grissom Air Museum in Peru, Indiana.

KC-97 Boom Pod	KC-97 Boom Pod	KC-97 Boom Pod	KC-97 Boom
KC-97 Boom	KC-97 Boom

1. ^ Boeing KC-97L. USAF Museum. Retrieved on 2006-05-03.
2. ^ KC-97 Stratotanker. Federation of American Scientists WMD Resources. Retrieved on 2006-05-03.
3. ^ AIRTime Publishing. (2006). International Air Power Review, Vol 20. ISBN 1-880588-91-9
4. ^ Rarenstein, Charles. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings: Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977. ISBN: 0-912799-12-9

• KC-97 page at the National Museum of the United States Air Force
• Airworthy KC-97 Angel of Deliverance

Related development

• C-97 Stratofreighter
• B-50 Superfortress
• Boeing 377 Stratocruiser
• Aero Spacelines Pregnant Guppy
• Aero Spacelines Super Guppy

Comparable aircraft

• C-124 Globemaster II

Designation sequence

• Military:
  • C-94 - C-95 - C-96 - KC-97 - C-98 - XC-99 - C-100
• Boeing:
  • 341 - 344 - 345 - 367 - 377 - 400 - 464

Related lists

• List of military aircraft of the United States

See also

v • d • e Boeing military tranport and support aircraft

Piston-engined transports: C-73 · C-75 · C-97 · C-98 Jet transports: C-135 · C-137 · SAM 26000 · SAM 27000 · CC-137 · YC-14 · C-17 · C-22 · VC-25A · C-32 · C-40 Tanker-transports: KB-29 · KB-50 · KC-97 · KC-135 · KC-137 · KC-10 · KC-767 Trainers: PT-13/PT-17/PT-18/PT-27 · T-43 · T-45 Surveillance: EC-135 · EC-18 · E-3 · E-4 · E-6 · E-8 · E-10 · E-767 · 737 AEW&C Reconnaissance: NC-135 · OC-135B · RC-135 · WC-135 Experimental: X-20 · X-36 · X-37 · X-40 · Bird of Prey · UAVs: X-50 · A160

v • d • e B-29 Superfortress family
Bombers	B-29 · KB-29 · XB-39 · XB-44 · B-50 · KB-50 · B-54 · Tu-4 · Tu-80 · Tu-85
Tankers/Transports	C-97 · KC-97 · Pregnant Guppy · Super Guppy · Mini Guppy · Tu-75
Airliners	Boeing 377 · Tu-70

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General	Timeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines
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