Boeing C-135 Stratolifter i KC-135 Stratotanker: książki

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.

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.

Die Boeing E3-A "Sentry" mit ihrer unverkennbaren Silhouette ist "das" AWACS-Flugzeug schlechthin (AWACS = Airborne Warning And Control System - fliegender Frühwarn- und Kommandoposten).

Die Maschine mit dem markanten Radom auf dem Rücken dient seit Ende der 70er in der Rolle als Hochleistungsaufklärer und fliegende Befehlszentrale. Auch Grossereignisse, wie Fussballspiele, werden in Zeiten von erhöhter Terrorgefahr aus 12.000 m Höhe überwacht.

Bernd und Frank Vetter behandeln alle wichtigen Themen von der Entwicklung bis zum Einsatz und runden es mit technischen Details und einmaligen Fotos ab.