Boeing C-135 Stratolifter and KC-135 Stratotanker: Books

The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker - More Than a Tanker (Third Edition)

The KC -135A made its maiden flight on 31 August 1956 and was still in front line service some 60 years later. What began as a jet-powered replacement for the KC -97 to refuel Strategic Air C ommand's growing B-47 and B-52 bomber fleet soon evolved into America's first military heavy jet transport, an airborne command post platform, a testbed that enabled scientists to study the Earth, send men to the Moon and understand the power of the atom.
Other variants of the KC -135 included a reconnaissance airframe that monitors arms agreements, gathers intelligence to understand the intentions and capabilities of potential enemies and provides real-time intelligence in combat.

This is a revised and expanded third edition of the definitive study of this remarkable aircraft. The author is a former USAF pilot qualified on 17 types of KC -135s, EC -135s, and RC -135s, who brings both personal experience and a broad historical understanding to this definitive work on one of the most significant military aircraft of the Cold War and beyond.

This latest edition of "Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker: More than a Tanker" incorporates 64 additional pages of new material, photographs, and tables. Included are updates of retired aircraft, tankers transferred to civilian organisations, and new conversions of reconnaissance-related jets.
A brief discussion assesses the turmoil surrounding the KC-135's replacement, and a new appendix provides a historical summary of operational units.

Information

Author:	Robert S Hopkins III
Details:	448 pages, 28 x 21.5 x 3.2 cm / 11 x 8.5 x 1.26 in, hardback
Illustrations:	500 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:	Crecy Publishing (GB, 2022)
ISBN:	9781800352643

The Boeing C-135 Series: : Stratotanker, Stratolifter and other Variants

Though the C-135 was originally designed over forty years ago as an aerial refueling tanker, (749 of the 820 were built as tankers), more than 600 of all types of C-135s are still flying. Boeing's C-135 series has been the most successful military jet ever built.

This book, Don Logan's sixth, tells the story of the Boeing C-135 series including: tankers, reconnaissance, airborne command post, weather, test, and special purpose models. All C-135 aircraft types, along with their operating units are covered.
Tables and serial number lists are included listing all C-135 configurations by serial number. Re-engine programs and facts including serial numbers of the C-135s and the identity of the donor aircraft in the airline re-engine program (E-model types). Also included: a listing of all C-135 losses, including date and reason for loss; three views of C-135 major configurations; selected aircraft nose art; and all USAF, ARFES, and Air National Guard unit markings.

Information

Author:	Don Logan
Details:	256 pages, 28.5 x 22.5 x 2.4 cm / 11.2 x 8.9 x 0.94 in, hardback
Illustrations:	600+ colour photos and drawings
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2004)
ISBN:	9780764302862

Boeing E-3 AWACS

The Boeing E3-A "Sentry" with its unmistakable silhouette is "the" AWACS aircraft par excellence (AWACS = Airborne Warning And Control System - flying early warning and command post).

The aircraft with the distinctive radome on its back has been serving the role of high-performance reconnaissance aircraft and flying command center since the late 1970s. Even major events, such as football matches, are monitored from a height of 12 000 m in times of increased terrorist threat.

Bernd and Frank Vetter cover all important topics from development to use and round it off with technical details and unique photos.

Information

Author:	Bernd Vetter, Frank Vetter
Details:	208 pages, 26.5 x 23 cm / 10.4 x 9.1 in, hardback
Illustrations:	13 b&w and 186 colour photos, 30 drawings
Publisher:	Motorbuch Verlag (D, 2018)
Series:	Flugzeugtypen
ISBN:	9783613040410