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    This page documents a history of a specific aircraft. The details provided vary from aircraft to aircraft and are dependent on the research and amount of data uploaded to the Aerial Visuals database.

    Airframe Family: Boeing B377 / C-97 Stratofreighter
    Latest Model:KC-97L Stratofreighter
    Last Military Serial:52-2630 USAF
    Construction Number:16661
    Compressed ID:Boeing KC-97L sn 52-2630 USAF cn 16...
    Latest Owner or Location:National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio

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    Dates

    Event

    1953

    Constructed as a KC-97G-25-BO by Boeing at Seattle, Washington, USA.

    23 December 1953

    Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 52-2630.

    December 1953

    Transferred to 93rd Bombardment (Medium) Wing (SAC), Castle AFB, CA.

    July 1957

    Transferred to 4601st Air Refueling (Heavy) Wing (SAC), Malmstrom AFB, MT.

    September 1957

    Transferred to 407th Air Refueling (H) Squadron (SAC), Malmstrom AFB, MT.

    February 1961

    Transferred to 97th Air Refueling (M) Squadron (SAC), Malmstrom AFB, MT.

    June 1962

    Transferred to 28th Bombardment (M) Wing (SAC), Malmstrom AFB, MT.

    November 1962

    Transferred to 145th Air Refueling Squadron (ANG), Clinton County AFB, OH.

    January 1963

    Transferred to 160th Air Refueling Group (ANG), Clinton County AFB, OH.

    March 1965

    Converted to a KC-97L.

    From 1967 to 1975

    Participated in Operation Creek Party, supporting active duty and NATO units in Europe.

    September 1971

    Base of operations changed.
    Lockbourne AFB, OH.

    7 June 1973

    The mayor of Zeppelinheim, a town near Rhein-Main Air Base in West Germany, christened this plane in his towns honor, naming it Zeppelinheim.

    After 7 June 1973

    Markings Applied: Zeppelinheim

    Circa 1974


    Photographer: Ken Videan
    Notes: At Greenham Common

    Circa 1974


    Photographer: Ken Videan
    Notes: Detail.

    1974


    Photographer: Alan Chudleigh
    Notes: Taken at International Air Tattoo, RAF Greenham Common 1974

    August 1975

    Transferred to 136th Air Refueling Wing (ANG), Dallas Municipal Airport, TX.

    August 1976

    Ferry flight. Delivered to National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.
    View the Location Dossier

    Restored.
    Markings Applied: OHIO AIR GUARD, 22630
    Restored to markings of the Ohio ANG.

    19 September 1987


    Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
    Notes: 35mm slide photographed during the 40th Anniversary of the USAF celebration. Museum annex ramp.

    21 July 1988


    Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
    Notes: 35mm slide photographed on the Museum Annex ramp, using telephoto lens.

    11 June 1990


    Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
    Notes: 35mm slide photographed on old runway outside the National Museum of the USAF.

    6 May 2008


    Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
    This dossier is waiting for review by an editor.This airframe dossier is based on
    unreviewed imported data.
    If you can verify the documented history or add to it with additional text and/or photos please feel free to do so by using the upload tool and the history editor.
    Credits
     Data for airframe dossiers come from various sources. The following were used to compile this dossier...
    Print Sources
     United States Military Aircraft Since 1909 by Swanborough and Bowers
    NMUSAF Friends Journal
    Internet Sources
     Airbus, Boeing, Convair and Douglas Production List
    National Museum of the United States Air Force
    Individual Contributors
     Glenn Chatfield
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