Boeing B-52H "Stratofortress"

“B” Listings

Boeing KC-97L "Stratotanker"

Boeing KC-97G "Stratotanker"
United States — four-engine tanker aircraft

Archive Photos

Boeing KC-97G "Stratotanker" (AF 53-0272) at the Milestones of Flight Museum, Foxfield, Lancaster, California (Photos by John Shupek)

Boeing KC-97G/L "Stratotanker" (AF 53-0363) at the March Field Air Museum, Riverside, California (Photos by John Shupek)

Overview

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

design and Development

Operational History

These tankers were vitally important to the world-wide B-47 Stratojet 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°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 1960s, 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-97's 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.

Variants

• XC-97 — prototype, 3 built.

• YC-97 — cargo transport, 6 built.

• YC-97A — troop carrier, 3 built.

• YC-97B — fitted with 80 airliner-style seats, one in 1954 redesignated VC-97D, retired to MASDC 15 December, 1969.

• C-97A — transport, 50 built.

• KC-97A — Three C-97A's were converted into aerial refueling tankers with rear loading door removed and a flight refueling boom added. After the design was proven, they were converted back into the standard C-97A.

• C-97C — medical evacuation transports, 14 C-97A's converted during the Korean War (also designated MC-97).

• VC-97D — staff transport conversions, 1 YC-97A, 2 C-97A's converted, plus the YC-97B. Later designated C-97D.

• C-97E — KC-97E's converted to transports.

• KC-97E — aerial refueling tankers with rear loading doors permanently closed, 60 built.

• C-97F — KC-97F's converted to transports.

• KC-97F — 3800 hp R-4360-59B engines and minor changes, 159 built.

• C-97G — 135 KC-97G's converted to transports.

• EC-97G — ELINT conversion of three KC-97G's. 53-106 was operated by the CIA for covert ELINT operations in the West Berlin Air Corridor.

• KC-97G — dual-role aerial refueling tankers/cargo transportation aircraft. KC-97G models carried underwing fuel tanks. 592 built.

• GKC-97G — Five KC-97G's were used as ground instruction airframes.

• JKC-97G — One aircraft was modified to test the underwing General Electric J47-GE-23 jet engines, and was later designated KC-97L.

• HC-97G — KC-97G's converted for search and rescue operations, 22 converted.

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

• YC-97J — two KC-97G conversion with four 4250 kW Pratt & Whitney YT34-P-5 turboprops, dropped in favour of the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker.

• C-97K — KC-97G's converted to troop transports.

• KC-97L — 81 KC-97G's modified with two J47 turbojet engines on underwing pylons.

Operators

• Spain: Spanish Air Force
• United States: United States Air Force

Specifications (KC-97G)

General Characteristics