My father got his wings in 1954 via the Aviation Cadet Program, Class 54E, and transitioned from KC-97s to the then brand new KC-135s just coming into the USAF inventory. He was one of the USAF pilots who were the first to fly some specific KC-135s after delivery. After accruing something like 1500 hours in KC-135s he then transitioned to the RC-135s where he spent the rest of his USAF career. Of his 8000 logged flying hours, 6000+ were in 135s of one type or another.
here's something that will blow your mind---i was crew chief on KC-135 tail # 8-0062 in the late 60's---last year i went to open house Michigan National Guard couldn't believe my eyes there was my old plane looking brand new---took my kids and grandkids through it---whats the odds
MrJGOOO7 My brother was stationed at Upper Heyford, UK twice. One day we were at the Hill AFB Aerospace museum and as we came around a corner, in an English style misty rain, there in front of him was an F-111 he had worked on during both stints at UH RAF. Oh and the aircraft in this video is from the Utah Air National Guard. I spent 26 years as an SP/SF on active duty on that ramp.
@@davidtan8984 appreciate your enthusiasm but KC-135 crew chief's don't fly the birds we just make it possible for the crews to do so, but thanks for the vote of confidence.
Memories of the only times (once each way) that we did NOT fly our BUF to Guam during the Vietnam era! Eighty guys jammed like sardines along each side, facing each other with gobs of equipment, power carts, etc. all packed in for the long trip. Taking off from Hickam at "oh-dark-thirty" when the air temp was low enough to allow our takeoff. Whatta ride it was, with some great guys we were only too glad to see later inflight on the long trips over from Guam. A truly remarkable aircraft, along with the BuF two of Boeing's greatest-ever creations. Those were the days.
I worked on the Q model supporting, primarily SR-71s (9th OMS / 9th SRW) out of Beale. JP-7. Surprised to see a dash 60. that would keep us warm at night sitting down next to it while FMS did their thing. Cool vid. I still remember the tail number of my plane.
Looking at this video, brings back memory as Crew Chief on 62-3521 out of Griffiss AFB. No longer active. Love the TDY's to Saudi, Turkey, Pacific, Europe. I miss the Air Force. I was very proud of my plane called her "Little Rhianon", after my daughter. Proud of the mission she accomplished. As the video going through the inside showing the work I did, keeping her in FMC status, fully mission capable, at 96%, I was proud of that. This part of my life I will always foundly remember for the rest of my days..thank you for this walk through..
I was a Boom Operator with the 41st out of Griffiss in the early 70s. I was rarely there since TDYs took me to Thailand (Young Tiger), Guam, Phillipines, Wake Island, Hawaii, Alaska, Spain, England,... multiple times.
I started as a Crew chief on an "A" model (J57-59W engines) 60-0323. Fell in love with that airframe circling the globe on it. Then when the KC "R" model came along I was first assigned to 59-1453 and then 60-0329. 0329 was the last Tanker I crewed. Much later I bumped into 0323 again after it was converted to the "R" model. Made my heart skip a beat I was so glad to see it again.
Going from "A" model to and "R' model was like going from a slow ass "steam jet" to a rocket ship! Amazing how this airframe has stood the test of time.
I sure spent 3 1/2 years on 0329. 62-66. Wurtsmith. Too many TDY's to count. Chrome Dome to Spain many times. Great duty. The plane only had 550 hours on it when I was first assigned to it. 2600 when I left. Great job for a kid.
Troy Alwine I was stationed at Grissom for 13 years. 63-8883 was my bird. Saw her years later, being crewed by one of my students, and assigned to Japan.
I had only caught part of this video the first time and I thought for sure you were gonna pull that emergency handle and jump out!!!! It scared the $*#@ out of me!!. Then I went back to the beginning and saw all the doors still open and then realized that emer/exit wasn't even open to outside the plane!! duh That was a great tour and makes us civilians realize how much goes on inside that incredible aircraft. Thank you for all you guys do! Stay safe~ :))
My brother was a Crew Chief on one too back in the late 60's early 70's. He was also stationed at Altus and eventually was stationed in Thailand flying missions over Vietnam for 1year.
The panel above the boom station, is the access door to the rear, upper deck fuel cell. It's about 8' x 8' x 8'. I worked on the A and Q models, between 1986-88.
I was station at Fairchild from 1994 to 2001 when I retired. last few years assigned to Raptor flight, took care of all the hazmat material and waist, PPE trailers and equipment, anything that had to do with the safety of the environment with the flightline personal.
Got a tour of Grissom AFB in 75 with the scouts...even let us lay on the boom operator's station...that was during the Cold War. Always had some ready to scramble.
Exactly. QA would have a meltdown if they saw that! However, it looks like the flight crew is doing their preflight, and they can do whatever they want.
+oisiaa Seems like a lot of space wasted though... would it be too heavy with more fuel? If not, are there additional tanks that can be installed inside the cargo area as an add-on?
+David Tan Yes, it would be too heavy. As it is, you can't fill the current tanks without going over the maximum weight. The main deck is just for cargo and passengers.
+oisiaa "As it is, you can't fill the current tanks without going over the maximum weight." Wait, I'm curious now... Does this mean that they've designed it so that if they really needed to go over the maximum, they can choose to bypass the maximum weight restrictions?
Before my time, but I think that would be Utapao, Thailand.I remember the older guys in my squadron talking about an "Utapao preflight." , which basically means " Kick the tires and light the fires.Let's get the hell out of here !" I think the base would come under rocket attacks.
Ken Vaughn Yep pretty sure it is there a huge tanker and C 17 base! I used to live out there.. just recently moved, I’ll never get over how cool it was for these tankers to fly over my house daily.
Do KC-135 aircraft still use a navigator? I know most USAF jets did when I was in the USAF back in the early 70's. GPS may take care of that job now. Great tour and I salute you and thank you for your service.
Yup, they are a back up for the lox ( Liquid oxygen ) converter. which is under the cockpit in the hell hole.This converts liquid oxygen to gaseous, for breathing.It holds 8 liters of lox.
No, no, and no. No lox on the plane...only gox (as 10 others have said). You called the area under the flight deck the “hell hole”......the hell hole is in the back of the plane (tail compartment). Under the flight deck is the lower nose compartment. Regardless, no lox....anywhere on the plane. Maybe back in the day it had lox? They sure don’t now though.
I noticed there were a lot of blank panels at the navigator station. If they removed all the doppler system (and the navigator) that would be a lot of weight loss in the front of the airplane. Did ballast have to be added to compensate weight and balance? Funny how a ton of avionics was replaced with a GPS you could put in your pocket.
KC-135 Boom operator is the best job in the entire military (an obvious and self-evident fact). Don't make the mistake of flying the KC-10 or the brand new KC-46.
They’re gaseous oxygen storage bottles. I think they’re mostly some blend of aluminum but I’m not too sure. Never had a reason to know exactly what it was they’re made of. Definitely a metal though.
Two questions Why it has two APU Why ground electronic power is connected How penumatic control of fuel boom provide when engine are shot off?i mean wich part provide air for yellow reserve tanks when engines are shutoff?
Cazual oh men thanks,,,, i taught yellow bulks are compressed air reservoir for boom contol, because i saw ground maintenance group put long rod under boom to prevent it lower to land,
Screw the floor boards under the apu controller. Any time a crew chief takes it out, they break it, and now metals tech(yes we make the wooden floor boards) has to make that complicated ass thing and HOPE they don't break the brand new one three times in a row. I hate acft 0011. But overall these are awesome planes to work on.
The whining noise, sounds like the engines are running, is the A.P.U. short for auxiliary power unit, not the engines.It sounds like a jet because it is a turbine.
+oisiaa That is actually the ground power unit. The APU is inside the cabin and would have been a lot louder. As it is that GPU they are using is essentially a jet engine in a box which is why it is as loud as it is.
My father got his wings in 1954 via the Aviation Cadet Program, Class 54E, and transitioned from KC-97s to the then brand new KC-135s just coming into the USAF inventory. He was one of the USAF pilots who were the first to fly some specific KC-135s after delivery. After accruing something like 1500 hours in KC-135s he then transitioned to the RC-135s where he spent the rest of his USAF career. Of his 8000 logged flying hours, 6000+ were in 135s of one type or another.
here's something that will blow your mind---i was crew chief on KC-135 tail # 8-0062
in the late 60's---last year i went to open house Michigan National Guard couldn't believe my eyes there was my old plane looking brand new---took my kids and grandkids through it---whats the odds
+MrJGOOO7 What did they change/upgrade on it, or was it quite similar? Would you be able to jump in and fly it in its configuration today?
MrJGOOO7 My brother was stationed at Upper Heyford, UK twice. One day we were at the Hill AFB Aerospace museum and as we came around a corner, in an English style misty rain, there in front of him was an F-111 he had worked on during both stints at UH RAF.
Oh and the aircraft in this video is from the Utah Air National Guard. I spent 26 years as an SP/SF on active duty on that ramp.
You mean 58-0062 ???
That’s awesome
@@davidtan8984 appreciate your enthusiasm but KC-135 crew chief's don't fly the birds we just make it possible for the crews to do so, but thanks for the vote of confidence.
Memories of the only times (once each way) that we did NOT fly our BUF to Guam during the Vietnam era! Eighty guys jammed like sardines along each side, facing each other with gobs of equipment, power carts, etc. all packed in for the long trip. Taking off from Hickam at "oh-dark-thirty" when the air temp was low enough to allow our takeoff. Whatta ride it was, with some great guys we were only too glad to see later inflight on the long trips over from Guam. A truly remarkable aircraft, along with the BuF two of Boeing's greatest-ever creations. Those were the days.
I worked on the Q model supporting, primarily SR-71s (9th OMS / 9th SRW) out of Beale. JP-7. Surprised to see a dash 60. that would keep us warm at night sitting down next to it while FMS did their thing. Cool vid. I still remember the tail number of my plane.
Looking at this video, brings back memory as Crew Chief on 62-3521 out of Griffiss AFB. No longer active. Love the TDY's to Saudi, Turkey, Pacific, Europe. I miss the Air Force. I was very proud of my plane called her "Little Rhianon", after my daughter. Proud of the mission she accomplished. As the video going through the inside showing the work I did, keeping her in FMC status, fully mission capable, at 96%, I was proud of that. This part of my life I will always foundly remember for the rest of my days..thank you for this walk through..
96% FMC? Yep, definitely something to be proud of.
I was a Boom Operator with the 41st out of Griffiss in the early 70s. I was rarely there since TDYs took me to Thailand (Young Tiger), Guam, Phillipines, Wake Island, Hawaii, Alaska, Spain, England,... multiple times.
WOW - what a blast from the past. I crewed A models 70-74
I started as a Crew chief on an "A" model (J57-59W engines) 60-0323. Fell in love with that airframe circling the globe on it. Then when the KC "R" model came along I was first assigned to 59-1453 and then 60-0329. 0329 was the last Tanker I crewed.
Much later I bumped into 0323 again after it was converted to the "R" model. Made my heart skip a beat I was so glad to see it again.
63-7977 here!
and spook 50
That plane is sitting in my hangar. Getting a new #4 engine Monday.
Going from "A" model to and "R' model was like going from a slow ass "steam jet" to a rocket ship! Amazing how this airframe has stood the test of time.
I was a boom operator at Wurtsmith AFB from '79 -'83, it's funny how we remember those tail numbers, 60-329 rolled out the day I was born!
I sure spent 3 1/2 years on 0329. 62-66. Wurtsmith. Too many TDY's to count. Chrome Dome to Spain many times. Great duty. The plane only had 550 hours on it when I was first assigned to it. 2600 when I left. Great job for a kid.
I was a crew chief on 58-0018 at Grissom 85-88 Thanks so much for the video, brings back a lot of memories
I crewed the ball just before I got out at Grissom. She is a great jet. Most hours of a 135 still i think
Troy Alwine I was stationed at Grissom for 13 years. 63-8883 was my bird. Saw her years later, being crewed by one of my students, and assigned to Japan.
18 is not #1 in hours
I had only caught part of this video the first time and I thought for sure you were gonna pull that emergency handle and jump out!!!! It scared the $*#@ out of me!!. Then I went back to the beginning and saw all the doors still open and then realized that emer/exit wasn't even open to outside the plane!! duh That was a great tour and makes us civilians realize how much goes on inside that incredible aircraft. Thank you for all you guys do! Stay safe~ :))
Those doors are emergency exits. the only way out except for crew hatch under nose and cargo door.
My brother was a Crew Chief on one too back in the late 60's early 70's. He was also stationed at Altus and eventually was stationed in Thailand flying missions over Vietnam for 1year.
The panel above the boom station, is the access door to the rear, upper deck fuel cell. It's about 8' x 8' x 8'. I worked on the A and Q models, between 1986-88.
you are the best at this
I was a crewchief on these back in the late 1990's, thanks for doing this video! I was stationed at Altus AFB and then Fairchild AFB.
I was stationed at Altus AFB Ok 1975-1978 IFR maintenance miss the birds
I was station at Fairchild from 1994 to 2001 when I retired. last few years assigned to Raptor flight, took care of all the hazmat material and waist, PPE trailers and equipment, anything that had to do with the safety of the environment with the flightline personal.
Well done, and thank you!
Very luxurious cabin accommodations...
jffrocks until you load her up with 6 ISU bins lol
nice video. Its different to what I imagined
Got a tour of Grissom AFB in 75 with the scouts...even let us lay on the boom operator's station...that was during the Cold War. Always had some ready to scramble.
Wow, shows you how old I am.I was assigned as asst. Crew Chief on the A model, Minot, 84' till 85'. Damn it, that means no more Bunny
Ball !
I can smell this interior.
no shortage of legroom in this baby. Love those CFM56s too.
As a primary crew chief, I never laid over wing hatches on floor
Exactly. QA would have a meltdown if they saw that! However, it looks like the flight crew is doing their preflight, and they can do whatever they want.
I went to UTapao 3 times in the 70's. Turned my airplane around 4 times in one day once !
Interesting, thanks
i thought the whole plane would be packed with big fuel tanks
+survivalinthecity44 The fuel is in the wings and under the floor. It can carry cargo on the floor no matter how much fuel is onboard.
+oisiaa Seems like a lot of space wasted though... would it be too heavy with more fuel? If not, are there additional tanks that can be installed inside the cargo area as an add-on?
+David Tan Yes, it would be too heavy. As it is, you can't fill the current tanks without going over the maximum weight. The main deck is just for cargo and passengers.
+oisiaa "As it is, you can't fill the current tanks without going over the maximum weight." Wait, I'm curious now... Does this mean that they've designed it so that if they really needed to go over the maximum, they can choose to bypass the maximum weight restrictions?
+David Tan I've never heard of one taking off at over maximum weight.
Back in '64-'66 I did airborne navaids and radar maintenance (30151B) on these birds, maybe A model, with the 499th A&E and 68th A&E.
You should have shown more of the Navigator station.
The sound may also be a -60 power cart, although i don't see why they would be running the A.P.U. at the same time, unless it's just an ops check.
wow thanks thats an awesome machine
+survivalinthecity44 It can carry about 32,000 gallons of fuel.
+survivalinthecity44 That's more fuel than a railroad tank car can hold.
There is no navigator anymore except for certain special missions.
Hey man, cool beans. I crewed a tanker at Minot, A model, 84' to 85'. Asst. Crew Chief.
@evrik78 They are for breathing oxygen. They are made from aluminum.
He was a Loadmaster in KC 135
Before my time, but I think that would be Utapao, Thailand.I remember the older guys in my squadron talking about an "Utapao preflight." , which basically means " Kick the tires and light the fires.Let's get the hell out of here !" I think the base would come under rocket attacks.
Looks like March ARB? I was at March AFB from 1964-1967. I worked on the KC-135s & the B-52s, as an Instrument Repairman.
Ken Vaughn Yep pretty sure it is there a huge tanker and C 17 base! I used to live out there.. just recently moved, I’ll never get over how cool it was for these tankers to fly over my house daily.
Do KC-135 aircraft still use a navigator? I know most USAF jets did when I was in the USAF back in the early 70's. GPS may take care of that job now.
Great tour and I salute you and thank you for your service.
No Navigator
Yup, they are a back up for the lox ( Liquid oxygen ) converter. which is under the cockpit in the hell hole.This converts liquid oxygen to gaseous, for breathing.It holds 8 liters of lox.
No, no, and no. No lox on the plane...only gox (as 10 others have said). You called the area under the flight deck the “hell hole”......the hell hole is in the back of the plane (tail compartment). Under the flight deck is the lower nose compartment. Regardless, no lox....anywhere on the plane. Maybe back in the day it had lox? They sure don’t now though.
I noticed there were a lot of blank panels at the navigator station. If they removed all the doppler system (and the navigator) that would be a lot of weight loss in the front of the airplane. Did ballast have to be added to compensate weight and balance? Funny how a ton of avionics was replaced with a GPS you could put in your pocket.
The KC-135 I flew on years ago had the same type of toilet which the C-130 had on it. This one have a much better camode for the crew.
Sid, you look familiar , I was tanker chief -62/69- Minot, Ramey, Castle, 4258th UTAPAO
im guessing a newer Hydro guy, first deployment
The KC-135 doesn't use LOX only GOX.
maybe the tour went too quickly but I didn't see any No Smoking or No Campfires sign anywhere on this airborne gas station.
Cool Aircraft. Hopefully I get my wish and can be a boom operator.
KC-135 Boom operator is the best job in the entire military (an obvious and self-evident fact). Don't make the mistake of flying the KC-10 or the brand new KC-46.
oisiaa
Will I actually get a say or will the Air Force choose for me?
@@ReformedSooner24 Do well on the ASVAB and only accept a job if you get boom operator.
@@ReformedSooner24 You create a "dream sheet" of jobs. Only list one job and leave the rest blank.
@@ReformedSooner24 A recruiter will have better details on the process, but be adamant that you won't accept anything other than boom.
Which base is this?
where is the fire guard?
Kc’s out of Loring. Water wagons 62-3510 tail 1977
Crewed
What are the orange bottles (at 00:19) for, and what are they made of (composites, Al)?
They’re gaseous oxygen storage bottles. I think they’re mostly some blend of aluminum but I’m not too sure. Never had a reason to know exactly what it was they’re made of. Definitely a metal though.
where is the fuel stored ?
I'm guessing someone has sat on the bins in the latrine and broke them.
Two questions
Why it has two APU
Why ground electronic power is connected
How penumatic control of fuel boom provide when engine are shot off?i mean wich part provide air for yellow reserve tanks when engines are shutoff?
Cazual
oh men thanks,,,, i taught yellow bulks are compressed air reservoir for boom contol, because i saw ground maintenance group put long rod under boom to prevent it lower to land,
What is GTOW?
Where's the aviation fuel located?
Screw the floor boards under the apu controller. Any time a crew chief takes it out, they break it, and now metals tech(yes we make the wooden floor boards) has to make that complicated ass thing and HOPE they don't break the brand new one three times in a row. I hate acft 0011. But overall these are awesome planes to work on.
70,000 viewer here
Surprised to see a -60 providing power, and not a -86
HAZMAT FireGuy we use a -60 all the time. It just kinda works better
This thin is even loud on the ground!
That's the power cart making that noise. They provide electrical power when the aircraft is on the ground and the jet engines aren't running
Is that a flush john instead of a honey-bucket?
+E9clyde9 I painted those honey pots in the 70,s , Looks like the same exact ones I painted.
The whining noise, sounds like the engines are running, is the A.P.U. short for auxiliary power unit, not the engines.It sounds like a jet because it is a turbine.
It's the power cart (AGE equipment)
They are called Gox bottles, short for gaseous oxygen.
Where is the Loadmaster
about how many re fuels does that cover?
+survivalinthecity44 Depends. Anywhere from 1 to 15 or 20 depending on how big of a plane you're giving the fuel to.
I'm just throwing this out as a guess, but is that Luke AFB?
Yes.
where does the fuel go for refueling?
Sean Buller in the wings and the body tanks located along the belly of the plane and an upper deck tank behind the aft bulkhead
In the receiver aircraft.
Jack Flash lmfao!
What is that noise that is going the whole time?
Auxiliary power unit.
+oisiaa That is actually the ground power unit. The APU is inside the cabin and would have been a lot louder. As it is that GPU they are using is essentially a jet engine in a box which is why it is as loud as it is.
+matt f - QSAS
@kd7one Zero
what would u say about someone joining the ang at 38 y.o.
+survivalinthecity44 I'm not sure if they hire that old or not. You would be equal to 18 year old kids in pay and responsibility too.
8091pinewood, That's not lox. the R models don't use lox. Just gox. Gaseous oxygen.
the ang takes ya up to 39 and its my last chance to serve my country so i just might do it
looks a lot like Incirlik AB Turkey
Looks like Luke AFB.
I think the tank for air refueling is big,but i looking in this video is very small (color orange).CMIIW
Those are for breathing oxygen. The fuel tanks hold as much fuel as three full semi-trucks and are under the floor and in the wings.
@@oisiaa ok thank u for information.
Crewchief 60346Q plattsburgh afb memories of 4 engines wet engine runs , wake up the neighborhood
More like wake up the whole county.
Hey, a fellow 380th Tanker Toad! I was on 59-1467. I really miss those water take offs over the old mall. Whole mall would shake when they went over.
The kc-135 and the c-130 has some similarities, and that similarities is that they're both fucking old
Stratos sokolade.
The American taxpayer got their money's worth with this plane.
encinobalboa
Damn straight
You guys were cheating! What gives with the padding on the bottom of the crew entry grate in the cockpit? Afraid of a little wafflehead?
US Taxpayer got their money's worth with the KC135.
Last KC-135 came off the line in 1966. The last B-52 in 1962 !
Oh man, don't tell me, a chemical toilet? No more plastic bags? What has this world come to? Lol