C-97G Angel of Deliverance
 

Wonderful aeroplane. I took this photo in Lages at the end of 1957.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c3...sryi562d5.jpeg

What was the difference between the KC-97Ls we saw at RAF
Milldenhali in the 70s and this ???

This SAC tanker was supporting a wing of B47's crossing the pond from West to East. I am afraid I know nothing about KC97's apart from the wonderful noise they make!

Two J47s under the wings,.

Which replaced the underwing tanks as shown on the photograph above of KC-97G 53-258. I used to see Strats (civil and military) every day at Prestwick when I was a lad. Perhaps the most interesting one was YC-97 45-59589 which had the "short" B-29 fin and rudder and Wright R-3350 engines.

USAF C-97J 22762


When I was flying with 99 Sqn in the early 1960's I indulged from the UK to San Francisco to see my then girl fiend who had gone to work in the USA. As well as RAF flight Lyneham to McGuire AFB I used the USAF equivalent (indulgence) scheme to travel from Andrews AFB to San Francisco and later back to Europe from McClellan AFB California on C-131, C-47, C-118, C-124 and another C-47 from Wiesbaden to Orly.

Anyway the point of this post is I travelled on C-97J Serial Number - 22762, Captain a Major Flynn, from Andrews AFB to Los Angeles on 30th June 1961. Any egg-heads know when this aircraft was scrapped/retired?

FWIW there was an exchange USAF pilot on 511 Sqn at Lyneham who advised me and gave me the 'gen' on the routines and paperwork etc. necessary to use the USAF indulgence scheme.


As I've got some photos of this trip a separate thread is a possibility!


WT

Warmtoast, I believe you might be referring to Boeing KC-97G-28-BO Stratofreighter 52-2762 modified as YC-97J, flying test bed for Pratt and Whitney YT34-P-5 turboprops. Later acquired by Aero Spacelines and parts used for B-377SG (Super Guppy) N1038V.

52-2693 was likewise modified to YT34 turboprops and served as a source of parts for N1038V. (N1038V was originally a Stratocruiser with Pan American, later reregistered N940NS). N1038V now with Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, AZ.

Seems 2693 was the airframe that underwent modification, with 2762 sourced for parts.

SUPER GUPPY

Megan


Thank you for that. I entered the serial number and type in my log-book as Pax time and probably misheard G as J. The C-97 had flown a General from LA to Washington for the funeral of a senior USAF figure and was on its way back to LA when I scrounged my lift. Flight took 6hrs 45mins and I together with a couple of US Military Pax we were on the lower deck in VERY uncomfortable seats ISTR, We were offered one cup of coffee during the whole flight. (Sounds very much like modern-day economy class!).