| Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Registration / Serial: | 59-1490 |
| Alternate Serial: | 91490 |
| Aircraft Original Type: | Boeing C-135 Stratotanker |
| Aircraft Generic Type: | Boeing C-135 Stratotanker/Stratolifter |
| Aircraft Version: | Boeing KC-135Q Stratotanker |
| C/n (msn): | 17978 |
| Operator Titles: | USA - Air Force |
| Unit Markings: | 9 SRW |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| City / Airport: | MildenhallMap |
| Region / Country: | England, United Kingdom |
| Airport Codes: | ICAO: EGUN IATA: MHZ Local: - Other: - |
| Photo Date: | 27 May 1988 |
| Photo by: | Stephan de Bruijn |
| Photo ID: | 365609 |
| Photo Comment |
|---|
|
Specially modified for the SR-71A mission, the Qs were the unsung hero of the blackbird programme. Most Blackbird missions required at least one and sometimes as many as six aerial refuelings. Of the 803 KC-135s produced, 56 were converted to Q variants (and these became later on KC-135T). The major different between a Q and a standard KC-135, is that the payload fuel in the body of the aircraft is isolated from the KC-135s own fuel load in the wings. This is necessary because while almost all aircraft in the USAF inventory use JP-4 jet fuel, the Blackbirds used JP-7. This photo is copyright © Stephan de Bruijn, and may not be used or published in any way without permission. It was added on 29 May 2021, and has since been viewed 478 times. |