@ 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. Structural elements of the fuselage, including the wing and tail, were common with the B-29. 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 Stratotankers 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.
