Boeing TK.1(KC-97L) Stratofreighter

@ Madrid, Spain

May 2014

A long retired Boeing KC-97L (53-0189) seen on display at the Museo del Aire in Madrid, Spain. Introduced in 1951, the KC-97 strategic tanker aircraft was based on the Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter.  The dual diameter fuselage allowed for cargo transport in the upper deck while jet fuel tanks occupied the space underneath.  The XC-97 prototype utilized structural elements of the fuselage, wing and tail from the B-29 while production aircraft shared commonality with the B-50. The USAF purchased a total of 811 KC-97s from Boeing, compared to only 74 of the C-97 cargo version. Later on, two J-47 turbojet engines were added to allow the redesignated KC-97L to safely refuel B-47 and B-52 jet aircraft, 81 KC-97Gs underwent this modification. In 1956, the Strategic Air Command began phasing out its KC-97s in favor of the KC-135 Stratotanker with the KC-97s retired completely by 1978.

This ex-USAF example, designated by the Spanish Air Force as the TK.1, is one of three Stratofreighters used by the Spanish AF (1972 – 1976) to refuel their F-4C Phantom II aircraft. These were the first military tanker aircraft operated by Spain. The KC-97L were the only Spanish refueling aircraft with a boom system, successor tankers employ hose and drogue systems.

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