Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker (USA)
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Museum Hours:
April 1- September 30
9:00am - 5:00pm
October 1 - March 31
10:00am - 4:00pm
The museum is open
daily year round (weather permitting),
except for the following days:
New Year's Day,
Easter,
Thanksgiving and
Christmas Day.
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The Castle Air Museum is chartered by the Department of Education and operated by the Castle Air Museum Foundation, Inc., a private not-for-profit corporation,
tax-exempt under IRS Code 501 (c)(3). The mission of the Museum is to preserve military aviation history for future generations.
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The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker has the distinction of being the only aircraft designed primarily for the mission of aerial refueling. It can also carry passengers or cargo as all the refueling equipment is below the main cabin deck. Although it strongly resembles the Boeing 707 commercial transport, it is a different aircraft. It entered into active service in 1957 and still serves as the backbone of America's tanker fleet. The two principal versions now in service are the KC-135E, upgraded with 18,000 lb. thrust TF-33 turbofan engines, and the KC-135R, upgraded with 22,000 lb. thrust CFM-56 turbofan engines, new cockpits and avionics. Many other special modifications of the KC-135 also continue in service.
The KC-135 served with distinction as part of the Strategic Air Command (SAC), serving as a vital link in the Command's role of nuclear deterrence. They served to provide aerial refueling when bombers were kept on around the clock nuclear alert. When the bombers went to ground alert, the KC-135 joined them, until the end of alert duty when SAC was stood down by President Bush in November 1991. In 1992, SAC was retired and the bulk of the KC-135 fleet now belongs to the Air Mobility Command (AMC).
During nine years of the Vietnam conflict, KC-135s made 813,000 aerial refuelings of combat aircraft. During the Persian Gulf war, the tankers made 18,700 hookups and transferred 278 million pounds of fuel.
The KC-135 served in combat during the Vietnam Conflict and Desert Storm. It also provided refueling support for many operations, both military and humanitarian, such as Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. It continues to serve wherever U. S. forces are engaged.
The KC-135 has evolved over 30 different variants. These roles vary greatly with KC-135s now performing as airborne command posts, weather aircraft, transports, and highly specialized electronic reconnaissance aircraft. The first KC-135 entered service at Castle Air Force Base in 1957 where crew training took place until the base closed in September of 1995.
Boeing modifications that extend service capabilities of the KC-135s into the next millennium include re-skinning the wings with an improved aluminum alloy and installing new, more powerful and fuel-efficient engines. Two re-engined KC-135Rs can do the work of three KC-135As.
The aircraft on display at the Castle Air Museum is a fitting tribute to the men and women of Castle Air Force Base. It began and ended its service life assigned to Castle's 93rd Air Refueling Squadron. It arrived in October 1957 and flew its last mission on January 27, 1993. It is a combat veteran, serving in both Vietnam and Desert Storm. Its nose art designates it as The City of Atwater, reflecting the support given the Museum and Castle Air Force Base from its host community.
Specifications
Country of Origin:
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United States
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Manufacturer:
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Boeing Airplane Company
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Role/Function:
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Tanker/Cargo Transport
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Serial Number:
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55-3139
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Model Number/Mk #:
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Model 717
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Crew:
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4 + 80 Troops
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Power Plant:
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4 - Pratt & Whitney j-57-P-59W turbojet engines with 13,750 lbs. of thrust each
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Maximum Speed:
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530 mph.
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Cruising Speed:
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n/a
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Service Ceiling:
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59,000 ft.
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Range:
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9,200 mi.
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Weights:
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Empty: 98,450 lbs.
Maximum: 297,000 lbs. (31,200 gal.)
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Wing Span:
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130 ft. 10 in.
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Length:
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136 ft. 3 in. (including boom)
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Height:
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41 ft. 8 in.
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Wing Area:
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n/a
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Armament:
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None.
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Cost:
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$39,600,000.00 (at time of manufacture)
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Number Built:
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820
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# in Current Service:
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Numerous KC-135R's are in service
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Other Points of Interest:
