Did you know…
How many KC-135s were built?
Short answer
The original production version, powered by four Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojet engines, was built in 732 examples. These tankers transferred fuel mainly through their rigid boom, which could pump out almost all the fuel carried in the internal tanks. They refueled F-105s, F-4s, and B-52s.
The original production version
The first production variant of the KC-135, powered by four Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojet engines, was built in 732 examples. The aircraft transfers fuel mainly through its rigid refueling boom, through which it can pump out almost all the fuel carried in its internal tanks.
The deployment over Southeast Asia
The KC-135s refueled the F-105 and F-4 fighter-bombers as well as the B-52 bombers, making it possible to reach distant bombing targets and extend fighter missions' time on station beyond their limited fuel reserves. Over the course of the war, they delivered more than 1.6 billion gallons of jet fuel to the strike aircraft, bombers, and fighters of the conflict.
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