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KC-141 over Darwin?

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Old 18th Nov 2013, 21:44
  #21 (permalink)  
 
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Also the Singapore Airforce do indeed own several KC-135R tankers based from Changi WSSS Airport.

I highly doubt an Aircraft the size of a KC-135 would simply be stooging around DRW at about 1000' for an hour over the suburbs........

Maybe the Aircraft was conducting circuit training? Certainly a possibility, it would explain why you saw it at about 1,500' gear up ( downwind leg ) multiple times in an hour.
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Old 19th Nov 2013, 03:25
  #22 (permalink)  
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Saw it again this morning REAL close. Yes it isn't a KC-141, got that wrong, actually did mean a 135 (707 military version tanker) but it doesn't seem to be that either, donks too big so something a bit more modern and it IS RSAF.

It was just stooging about yesterday NOT do approaches and refusals just orbiting randomly in various places for quite a while. Maybe getting the lie of the land or an aerial tour of the local sights.

Must be here for the F-16 but didn't look like it had wing mounted fueller pods. Seems strange to use this one if it can only service a small bird at a time. Someone must know a bit more.

Last edited by Pharcarnell; 19th Nov 2013 at 03:27. Reason: Curing finger problems before the speeling police get me
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Old 19th Nov 2013, 03:48
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RSAF most certainly use the boom equipped KC135 type aircraft for fighter refuelling, as do all the other users of boom equipped tankers. By delivering fuel at much higher pressures than probe and drogue tankers, the boom operators aim to overcome their lack of multiple delivery points with speed of delivery.

BTW...modern KC135s have equally modern high bypass engines which appear to be much bigger than the older, slimline engines.
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Old 19th Nov 2013, 07:50
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No doubt a KC-135R ( R meaning re-Engined ) with the bigger CFM 56 Engines.
They look quite big as mentioned in a post above.

By the way there are no such terms like "approaches and refusals"!!
Do you mean Touch and Go's or Go Arounds during Circuit training????

I will bet you that it was simply a KC -135 from the USAF or the RSAF conducting local circuit training and at the same time doing a little sightseeing over Darwin.....
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Old 19th Nov 2013, 09:22
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"and at the same time doing a little sightseeing over Darwin....."

That's twice "sightseeing" has been mentioned, if they want to
look at Palmerston, they are welcome
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Old 19th Nov 2013, 10:20
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It is indeed the RSAF tanker photographed above. Has been in DN for the last several days.
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