KC-135A's ( and Q's) at Mildenhall

[PaulN]

Hi All

Thought I would put a few old KC-135A's up I hope they are as of much interest as the MAC bits

Most were taken in the1970's and 80's when there was a lot of movement and visitors at the 'hall

I hope someone can help with the first one ...a poor, heavily cropped slide of 71475 the reason I took it at the time is that it appears to have a PACAF badge on the tail

Hope it jogs the memories of us old who remember fondly the old JT-3 water injected smoke generators

Cheers

Paul






























































...............and finally for now ..a smoker

[Mallett17]

Fantastic. Brings back great memories of visits with my Dad.

[DanBeeden]

Very nice indeed - love the colourful tail bands that some of these jets have. Last shot is especially nice.

[Proteus]

Thats given me earache!......thanks for the memories.......Regards N.

[GOOSE]

Absolutely awesome and a whole host of memories! A huge thank you for sharing these

[paddyboy]

Hi Paul

Thanks yet again for reminding me just how ancient I am

Great stuff

Cheers

Paddyboy

[billydog]

What a super post!
Its ironic that you should post up a picture of 59-1504, as its currently sat on the deck at Mildenhall, all be it in the watered down 'R' version.

[PaulN]

What a super post!
Its ironic that you should post up a picture of 59-1504, as its currently sat on the deck at Mildenhall, all be it in the watered down 'R' version.

Old tankers never die

Thank you for the comments I am glad to jog memories back to the great days we had

Patrick ....... you and me both my friend ..you and me both But are we not glad to have been there

Paul

[venom]

superb photos buddy love the"european one camoflage"
all the best
colin

[graham luxton]

Great post Paul,
brings back many memories of over 600 KC-135's I noted rotating through Mildenhall during the 70's and 80's and of those spectacular J-57 water injected take offs.

From the image of 71475 its difficult to say what that fin badge is but here's a couple of possibilities:

1) 2nd Air Force badge. 71475 was assigned to the 2nd BW in the 70's which was then a 2ndAF unit. Think they had two designs during that period one with a light blue background and the other dark blue.

2) Bi- Centennial badge. In 1976 I noted a number of KC-135's and 55th SRW RC-135's at Mildenhall
which had these light blue badges applied to the port side of their fins. Several of the Beale KC-135Q's had them plus KC-135A's from the 5BW, 28BW, 42BW, 68BW, 301ARW, 305ARW, 379BW, and 509BW. The 2nd BW may have also worn them but I didn't make a note of any.

If you have a date for the sighting that may help.

From their serials #2, #8, #9, #14, #15 and #28 are all KC-135Q's - difficult to read but #3 may be as well.
I've heard it said and read about there being no external differences between the A and Q models but #8, 91504 shows there was. Any KC-135 buffs out there know what it was? You may need to magnify the image to see it because its a very small modification!

Enjoying these journeys into the past Paul, please keep 'em coming!

regards,
Graham

[PaulN]

Great post Paul,
brings back many memories of over 600 KC-135's I noted rotating through Mildenhall during the 70's and 80's and of those spectacular J-57 water injected take offs.

From the image of 71475 its difficult to say what that fin badge is but here's a couple of possibilities:

1) 2nd Air Force badge. 71475 was assigned to the 2nd BW in the 70's which was then a 2ndAF unit. Think they had two designs during that period one with a light blue background and the other dark blue.

2) Bi- Centennial badge. In 1976 I noted a number of KC-135's and 55th SRW RC-135's at Mildenhall
which had these light blue badges applied to the port side of their fins. Several of the Beale KC-135Q's had them plus KC-135A's from the 5BW, 28BW, 42BW, 68BW, 301ARW, 305ARW, 379BW, and 509BW. The 2nd BW may have also worn them but I didn't make a note of any.

If you have a date for the sighting that may help.

From their serials #2, #8, #9, #14, #15 and #28 are all KC-135Q's - difficult to read but #3 may be as well.
I've heard it said and read about there being no external differences between the A and Q models but #8, 91504 shows there was. Any KC-135 buffs out there know what it was? You may need to magnify the image to see it because its a very small modification!

Enjoying these journeys into the past Paul, please keep 'em coming!

regards,
Graham

Thanks Graham
71475 was taken in early 1975 so I doubt it is a bi-centennial badge
As for the differences between the A and Q I think it was the addition of a small aerial on the leading edge of the fin For comms with the A12/SR71
I should have said Q's in the mix of pics as well
Will see what else I can dig out
Thanks
Paul

[Maurits37]

Great selection of old smokers. Strange to realize a lot of them are still flying, also at the Hall nowadays...