THE BOEING KC-135 STRATOTANKER

Terza edizione riveduta ed ampliata del volume originariamente pubblicato dalla Aerofax. Presenta la storia, lo sviluppo e l’impiego del KC-135 dal primo volo di prova nel 1956 ai giorni nostri – l’aereo è ancora in servizio in Cile, Francia, Singapore, Turchia, negli Stati Uniti mentre varianti ‘di ricognizione’ operano con le forze aeree della Gran Bretagna e USA. Ricca iconografia e appendici con elenco di tutte le unità, incidenti subiti, i primati, ecc.

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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 32 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.