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Tanker question

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Unknown74
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Tanker question

Post by Unknown74 » Sun Jun 12, 2022 6:32 pm

Always wondered, why does to refuelling thingy on the tail of a KC-135 always hang down & no other tanker has that happen? Is it to signify that they have completed their task & need refilling/ refuelling?

Stug298
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Re: Tanker question

Post by Stug298 » Sun Jun 12, 2022 6:54 pm

Its because its a mod to the normal boom fit that the Americans use most other hose equipped aircraft have a retraction mechanism to wind it in to the stowage ...

rh226
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Re: Tanker question

Post by rh226 » Sun Jun 12, 2022 9:53 pm

Specifically, it is to enable KC-135s to refuel aircraft that would otherwise use the "probe & drogue" method of refuelling, i.e. it is for refuelling USN/USMC aircraft (and many European aircraft types).

It should be noted that there are 20 KC-135Rs (all current) that have been modified with the internal plumbing to carry the MPRS drogue pods to obviate the need for the "basket on boom" temporary modification. 20 KC-10As (5 now retired) were similarly modified and, I believe, all KC-46As will have the ability to carry these pods.
Cheers, Bob

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Thunder
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Re: Tanker question

Post by Thunder » Sun Jun 12, 2022 10:15 pm

Did the KC-10 not have a single internal HDU just off the centreline from day one?

rh226
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Re: Tanker question

Post by rh226 » Sun Jun 12, 2022 11:14 pm

Yes, it did/does, Thunder.
Cheers, Bob

Vulture 01
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Re: Tanker question

Post by Vulture 01 » Mon Jun 13, 2022 1:37 pm

RH226,
I'm not sure about your comment about the drogue fitting. Have a trawl back through recent Mildenhall pictures and I'm sure you'll find a least two jets with the 'shuttlecock' attached

slogen51
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Re: Tanker question

Post by slogen51 » Mon Jun 13, 2022 2:41 pm

RH226 has probably forgotten more about KC-135 than I know but it all looks correct to me.

The USAF often refer to the KC-135 'attachment' as the BDA - Boom Drogue Attachment. Gold 63 at Prestwick was sporting a BDA to refuel the USMC hornets. It is a fairly common sight at Mildenhall because the 100ARW has a wide range of receiver types and is probably the busiest ARW in the Air Force.

I think the KC-46 also has a built-in HDU like the KC-10?

luxto
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Re: Tanker question

Post by luxto » Mon Jun 13, 2022 5:12 pm

I first noticed KC-135A's with the basket attachment at Upper Heyford in 1965. Although their primary mission was to A/R RB-47H's on TDY there, using the flying boom method, a secondary mission of refuelling RAF Lightnings and Javelins with the basket was quickly implemented, following the demise of the Valiant fleet in Jan'65. This left the RAF with no tankers until the Victor conversions came on line, so the USAF helped us out.

EGDR
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Re: Tanker question

Post by EGDR » Tue Jun 14, 2022 10:50 pm

Vulture 01 wrote:
Mon Jun 13, 2022 1:37 pm
RH226,
I'm not sure about your comment about the drogue fitting. Have a trawl back through recent Mildenhall pictures and I'm sure you'll find a least two jets with the 'shuttlecock' attached
The attachment is still used on aircraft that aren't equipped to carry the MPRS pods that rh226 described.

Agent K
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Re: Tanker question

Post by Agent K » Thu Jun 16, 2022 1:16 pm

Unknown74 wrote:
Sun Jun 12, 2022 6:32 pm
Always wondered, why does to refuelling thingy on the tail of a KC-135 always hang down & no other tanker has that happen? Is it to signify that they have completed their task & need refilling/ refuelling?
I know the main question has been answered, but also to add more comment, don't forget the tankers have a variety of comms and lights to signify readiness and capabilities. I'm sure on/offloads will be built into the plan. Also whilst cruising at several hundred Kts the it's not going to hang down! or indeed be even visible in darkness.

Tartan99
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Re: Tanker question

Post by Tartan99 » Thu Jun 16, 2022 9:36 pm

May I offer some insight. With a wing mounted pod or fuselage mounted refuelling unit, the drogue at the the end of the hose fully retracts in to the structure.

The dangly drogue occasionally seen on a KC-135 boom is known as a Boom Drogue Adapter, BDA. This allows non-MPRS (pod) 135’s to refuel probe equipped receivers.

It hangs down when the aircraft is on the ground as there is now airflow through the drogue to keep it in the ready to contact position

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