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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 B707 / C-135 / C-137 / C-18 / E-3 / E-6 / E-8
    Latest Model:KC-135A Stratotanker
    Last Military Serial:55-3118 USAF
    Construction Number:17234
    Compressed ID:Boeing KC-135A sn 55-3118 USAF cn 1...
    Latest Owner or Location:Kansas ANG - 184th BW, McConnell AFB, Wichita, Kansas

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    Dates

    Event

    Constructed as a KC-135A-BN.

    18 July 1956

    Roll-out date. First production KC-135A.

    Markings Applied: City of Renton

    31 August 1956

    First flight.

    24 January 1957

    Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 55-3118.

    24 January 1957

    Base of operations changed.
    Performed operational acceptance testing at Edwards AFB until 1958.

    From 1958 to July 1960

    Loaned to Boeing Aircraft.
    USAF loaned the aircraft back to Boeing for test programs.

    July 1960

    Transferred to Oklahoma City Air Material Area, Tinker AFB, OK.

    November 1960

    Transferred to Flight Test Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.

    21 January 1961

    Transferred to Tactical Air Command.

    1961

    Converted to an EC-135K.

    From By 1962 to 15 June 1978

    Transferred to 18th Air Command and Control Squadron (TAC), Seymour Johnson AFB, NC.
    Served at TAC Commanders aircraft.

    1971

    Flew Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to China on a secret mission.

    From 15 June 1978 to May 1996

    Transferred to 8th Tactical Deployment Squadron, 552nd Air Control Wing, Tinker AFB, OK.

    From 6 February 1982 to 9 March 1982

    Aircraft re-engined with TF33-PW-102 turbofans.

    May 1996

    Transferred to 89th Airlift Wing, Andrews AFB, MD.

    Circa August 1996

    To National Museum of the United States Air Force Loan Program, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.
    View the Location Dossier

    1996

    Converted to a KC-135A.
    Converted back to KC-135A standard for display.

    15 October 1996

    Loaned to 22 MXG/MXMF, McConnell AFB, KS.

    15 October 1996

    Placed on display with Kansas ANG-184th BW, McConnell AFB, Wichita, KS.
    View the Location Dossier

    8 April 2009


    Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
    Notes: Along the east side of McConnell AFB

    29 August 2014


    Photographer: Daniel Pignataro
    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
     Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker by Robert S. Hopkins III
    The Boeing C-135 Series by Don Logan
    U.S. Military Out of Service 2010 by Andy Marden
    Internet Sources
     Airbus, Boeing, Convair and Douglas Production List
    Aviation Enthusiast Corner
    National Museum of the United States Air Force
    United States Military Services Serial Number Lists by Joe Baugher
    Wikipedia
    Individual Contributors
     Glenn Chatfield
    Mike Henniger
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