Still In Service
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Still In Service
Watching an aircraft at altitude heading westwards I thought I'd check FR24 to see just who was heading where; the aircraft in question was a USAF KC135 leaving UK airspace for a west bound oceanic passage. The details provided by FR24 showed the aircraft ID prefixed with 61, which I take to be the year of manufacture, which makes it at least 58 years old , It has to be older than the crew flying it!
This led to me musing: is this the oldest KC135 in the fleet?, indeed, is this the oldest active aircraft in the USAF inventory?
Over to you
Akro
This led to me musing: is this the oldest KC135 in the fleet?, indeed, is this the oldest active aircraft in the USAF inventory?
Over to you
Akro
There used to be a saying that "The last B52 pilot's father has yet to be born". I guess that also applied to the KC135. That may still be true with the delays to the KC46.
The "61" refers to the fiscal year in which funds were allocated for the purchase of the aircraft. It might have been built a year or two later.
There are KC-135s around with earlier serials - there are 58- and 59- serials still around. There are also 4 with 57- serials based at RAF Mildenhall.
There are KC-135s around with earlier serials - there are 58- and 59- serials still around. There are also 4 with 57- serials based at RAF Mildenhall.
Last edited by EGTE; 12th Apr 2020 at 18:01. Reason: Added reference to 57-serials.
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The oldest aircraft in active US Air Force Service is a Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker. It last flew on July 7, 2018 using the Call sign of REACH419. The registration number is 57-1419 and it was manufactured and accepted into Air Force Service in 1957.
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Gentleman Aviator
So what is the oldest RAF aircraft still flying - not counting the BBMF ones of course. (Not sure if Boscombe should count either?)
Any suggestions??
Any suggestions??
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Teeeteringhead, in terms of airframe age, presumably the RC-135s?
In terms of length of service with the RAF, Puma?
In terms of length of service with the RAF, Puma?
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Gentleman Aviator
not counting the BBMF ones of course.
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Mind you, what would be the oldest individual military aircraft in operational use worldwide? Surely has to be a C-47/Dakota?
Gentleman Aviator
Mind you, what would be the oldest individual military aircraft in operational use worldwide? Surely has to be a C-47/Dakota?
And again I would exclude "Historic Flights" on same grounds as BBMF, I mean aircraft doing a proper military task.