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Description
| Notes: Test configured KC-135A. | ||
| Manufacturer: | Boeing | |
| Base model: | C-135 | |
| Designation: | NKC-135 | |
| Version: | A | |
| Nickname: | Stratotanker | |
| Designation System: | U.S. Air Force | |
| Designation Period: | 1925-1962 | |
| Basic role: | Transport | |
| Modified Mission: | Tanker | |
| Status: | Special Test (Permanent) | |
Specifications
| Length: | 136' 3" | 41.5 m | |
| Height: | 41' 8" | 12.7 m | |
| Wingspan: | 130' 10' | 39.6 m | |
| Gross Weight: | 300,000 lb | 136,054 kg | |
Propulsion
| No. of Engines: | 4 | ||
| Powerplant: | Pratt & Whitney J57 | ||
| Thrust (each): | 13,750 lb | 6,235 kg | |
Performance
| Cruise Speed: | 512 mph | 824 km/h | 445 kt |
| Max Speed: | 606 mph | 975 km/h | 527 kt |
| Ceiling: | 50,000 ft | 15,239 m | |
Known serial numbers
Examples of this type may be found at
| Museum | City | State |
| United States Air Force Museum | Wright-Patterson | Ohio |
Recent comments by our visitors
| Andy Cameron Washington, DC | Had been thinking about the great teams at AFRL & 4950th and the two NKC135s 3131 and 3127. Old but classic aircraft and we did some GREAT science on them. I was NASA observer but always felt part of the team. Joe Tyler and Ed Weber (rest his soul) made all the teams work, made the science happen. One of my favorite stories was prior to support a rocket launch from PR was sitting in the engineers seat of 3131 at max altitude when Capcom called for site weather. It was 20 mins before sunrise and beautiful when Capcom asked me what the clouds looked like at altitude, I replied "one cloud looks like a bunny and the other cloud looks like a puppy dog." Boy did I get hell for that. Damn good teams. Best wishes to all. Andy 06/03/2008 @ 19:25 [ref: 21105] |
| Andy Cameron Washington DC, DC | Had been thinking about the great teams at AFRL & 4950th and the two NKC135s 3131 and 3127. Old but classic aircraft and we did some GREAT science on them. I was NASA observer but always felt part of the team. Joe Tyler and Ed Weber (rest his soul) made all the teams work, made the science happen. One of my favorite stories was prior to support a rocket launch from PR was sitting in the engineers seat of 3131 at max altitude when Capcom called for site weather. It was 20 mins before sunrise and beautiful when Capcom asked me what the clouds looked like at altitude, I replied "one cloud looks like a bunny and the other cloud looks like a puppy dog." Boy did I get hell for that. Damn good teams. Best wishes to all. Andy 06/03/2008 @ 19:24 [ref: 21104] |
| Nathan W , GA | The NKC-135A at the US Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio, was used to test a airborne laser. During testing,THIS LASER DESTROYED 5 AIM-9 SIDEWINDER MISSILES AND 1 NAVY BQM-34A TARGET DRONE!!!!! The laser was, and is, attached in a large fin-like shape on the top of the plane. 05/22/2008 @ 15:12 [ref: 20986] |
| Rob Schultz Erlanger, KY | Worked on 55-3124 at Wright-Patt with the 4950th (Engine Shop). A/C is now at Sheppard AFB being used for training.
04/19/2008 @ 11:55 [ref: 20626] |
| john kroll , NJ | Crewed 55-3124 "Liki Tiki" at Hickam 1969-1971. Wondering if anyone out there remembers "Project Press" 02/02/2008 @ 17:40 [ref: 19519] |
| Greg Nierman Newton, NH | I was stationed at WP from 1984 to 1993 when i went to the NHANG at Pease. While at WP i worked on alot of the 55 models 3120,3122,3124,3127,3128,3131,3132 when it came to WP ,but 88 to 90 Iworked as an asst crew chief on 3120 with Jack Henry .then 91 to93 when 3120 i was crew chief on it till it was retired to the bone yard late 93.We had alot of great times working on the project aircraft &working with all the scientists that ran all the electronics in the back. we sure took alot of great trip all over the country& overseas. 01/12/2008 @ 14:27 [ref: 19271] |
| Howard Liscom Orlando, FL | It really brings back memories looking at the NKC 135 notes. I want to go back even further. 55-3124, Hickam AFB Ha. early 70s. Project Press. We spent many a days on Wake Island with that plane. We were a detachment out of Hanscom field, MIT. I was the assistant crew chief when the unit closed down and we shipped the AC to ???. It eventually became the test bed for the Advanced Air Refueling Boom now being used on the KC 10. The hole that had to be cut to accomidate the boom was so big, the aircraft could no longer be used as a SAC tanker. 09/24/2007 @ 04:37 [ref: 17996] |
| Jason \"Hoppy Jr.\" Hoppenrath Alameda, CA | I just realized that my email address did not come up on the comment so even if you all new my father you would never have been able to get in touch with me with information. Here is contact info. jhoppenrath@gmail.com I see some people that have posted on here that might have been at Kirkland the same time as my father. 1973 - 1980. Let me know if you knew him. Thanks. 06/12/2007 @ 14:00 [ref: 16811] |
| Jason \"Hoppy Jr.\" Hoppenrath Alameda, CA | Anyone on here remember Robert "Hoppy" Hoppenrath. He flew on 553123 (ALL) and 553132 (Big Crow) in the mid to late 70's. Just looking to see if anyone knew him and might have some pictures of him and the planes. 05/11/2007 @ 12:37 [ref: 16457] |
| Hal Smith Edmond, OK | No tail number that I could find but there's an NKC-135E on Government Liquidation right now.
http://cgi.govliquidation.com/auction/view?auctionId=1220124 05/03/2007 @ 06:12 [ref: 16383] |
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