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Description
| Manufacturer: | Boeing | |
| Base model: | C-97 | |
| Designation: | KC-97 | |
| Version: | A | |
| Nickname: | Stratofreighter | |
| Designation System: | U.S. Air Force | |
| Designation Period: | 1925-1962 | |
| Basic role: | Transport | |
| Modified Mission: | Tanker | |
Specifications
| Length: | 110' 4" | 33.6 m | |
| Height: | 33' 3" | 10.1 m | |
| Wingspan: | 141' 3" | 43.0 m | |
| Wingarea: | 1,438.0 sq ft | 133.5 sq m | |
Propulsion
| No. of Engines: | 4 | ||
| Powerplant: | Pratt & Whitney R-4360-35A | ||
Performance
Recent comments by our visitors
| L. J. Robinette, Jr. Oakland, MD | Arrived at Otis AFB June 1960 as an Airman Second Class. Was assigned to the 19th. Air Refueling Squadron. Was part of the maintenance crew for KC-97G 53-342. My crew chief was SSgt. Welch and his assistant was SSgt. Loefeffler [sp?] We Reflexed to Harmon AFB, Newfoundland, Goose Bay Labrador, Thule and Sonderoum [sp?] Greenland over the years that I was there. We also pulled "Mole-hole" duty. The specialist we had were Electricians, Hydrualics, Engine/Props, Electronics and Fuel Cell. We took care of everything else changing the oil filters, carbs, oil in the props, tire, brakes, all the light bulbs including the rotating beacon, all control surfaces, washing and cleaning inside & out and etc. There were 22 Aircraft and when there was a "Hurricane Alert" we would depart and be scattered all over the east coast before all were back at Otis. Left Otis in the summer of 1964 for a 15 month assignment to Goose Bay. There I was assigned to tow the aircraft and to help sweep the snow of the wings of "Alert Birds." Also walked the heater lines in the winter time. Finally made SSgt. at Goose Bay. Once I was assigned Crew Cheif of the VIP C-97 and we flew to Europe taking with us "Airman and NCOs of the month/year [not sure which] for their reward. It was hard work keeping the 97s In Commission often times working long hours but after she was airborne we would have quite a bit of time off. I have an Air Force friend who was stationed at Pease AFB, New Hampshire with the 100th. on 97s and we often talk now days of what we used to do and remember the good times as well as the bad. 08/27/2008 @ 21:09 [ref: 22564] |
| Joe Kosh , MA |
Hi. Ater allthese years my son was right the computer has alot of info.I was stationed at Otis AFB 63thru65. I worked on a few tankers 53-816,186,187,179.the last with a great crew cheif Sgt.Furchess. I then went to Goose Bay and finished my tour as assitant crew chief on 53-30197 a fine aircraft.I spent 760 hrs in the air and still communicate to a few flight engineers.I still love the old plane and wonder what happened to her,It's been a long time since those days Sincerley Joe Kosh 02/20/2008 @ 06:26 [ref: 19731] |
| Smokey Beucus Bastrop, TX | I was a Radio Operator in the 307th ARS from 1955 to 1959.
I went TDY to England in 56, Greenland in 57 and New Foundland in 58. I flew with several different crews but my most notable was Major Nuttys crew T-24 when we were at Thule we gave our reserve fuel to a B-47H and landed at Sonderstrom Greenland with less than 500 ponds of fuel. We were flying a F model with tail number 376. I did not know all of the crew chiefs but know they were the best and made their planes safe to fly. They were the backbone of the organization. I loved what I did, so many friends and so many grand memories as a young kid. Heck I grew up in the 307th. I would not change it for anything, we helped win the cold war. I left the 307th in late 59 and went to Spain where I continued flying as a RO & later a FE. God Bless you all. Harold Beucus 02/18/2008 @ 10:11 [ref: 19706] |
| Dave Zambron Sandusky, MI | My dad was in a "field maintainence" squadron on KC-97s back in the 1950's and early 1960's. He was stationed at Lockbourne in Columbus Ohio, as well as Dow in Bangor Maine. He also was t.d.y. at Thule, Goose, and at a base in the Azore Islands (I'am not sure of the name of the base). I love to get him talking about that airplane, as he does it with fondness. He and his partner, Jim Kennedy got quite proficient at changing the carburators on those "monster" engines, and could do it in a matter of a few hours. At times they would volunteer to stay late to change a carburator and would get the next day off as a reward. If anybody is "out there" who may have worked on those planes, send along an e-mail note to Chet Zambron. His e-mail address zsnover@yahoo.com.
02/10/2008 @ 13:10 [ref: 19634] |
| James T. Whalen Lakewood, CO | I was a Crew Chief on a KC97G AC803 at Lincoln AFB with the 307th ARS from Nov 1954 to Sept 1955 and actually had the privilege of flying for a short time as we came back from Goose Bay in 1955 sitting in the co-pilots seat of course. A great experience of serving with the 307th. I took my experience along with my A&P out of Aviation School and worked another 38 years with Continental. Would enjoy hearing from those of the 307th in those years. 01/14/2008 @ 14:59 [ref: 19294] |
| James T. Whalen Lakewood, CO | I was a Crew Chief on a KC97G AC803 at Lincoln AFB with the 307th ARS from Nov 1954 to Sept 1955 and actually had the privilege of flying for a short time as we came back from Goose Bay in 1955 sitting in the co-pilots seat of course. A great experience of serving with the 307th. I took my experience along with my A&P out of Aviation School and worked another 38 years with Continental. Would enjoy hearing from those of the 307th in those years. 01/14/2008 @ 14:58 [ref: 19293] |
| Britton LABombard midland, TX | Don is my grandfather and let me tell you it is an honor to have him as my grandad he allways tells me storys HE IS GREAT 10/20/2007 @ 17:06 [ref: 18255] |
| Donald F. Bradley York, PA | Asst. Crew Chief on KC-97 53-230G and 53-238G at Westover Air Force Base Jan. 1959 to July 1962. Much alert duty in Greenland during that period. Anyone from the 384th AREFS or 4050th OMS that served there at that time period please contact me. 07/09/2007 @ 17:49 [ref: 17052] |
| Jack Bentley Pound,, VA | I was crew chief on a KC-97G, tail number 7522 (522752). I was at March Field from mid 1952 until my discharge in January 1957. I loved old 752. Before my discharge we had been to Japan, Okinawa, Hiwaii, Aleution Islands, Alaska, Newfoundland, Labrador, Greenland, Iceland, England, Puerto Rico, and North Africa. What a blast. We stayed on the go. General LeMay said do it, and we did. I would love to hear from someone from this period. 11/21/2006 @ 20:39 [ref: 14809] |
| Ernest D. Orluck Leesburg, FL | I would like to see a side view of the KC97a tanker.
I was in the USAF from 94- 98. I got some KC97 with drop tanks and some without. If you can let me know. Thank-you. Sincerly E.D.Orluck 11/03/2006 @ 18:02 [ref: 14656] |
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