FighterControl

XWP ... a request please.

Are any of your photos clear enough to see the serials of the KC-135R tails that have been removed from the aircraft and are lying on the ground next to the airframe?

Reason I ask - I need 58-0067, which was an Iowa ANG KC-135R before it arrived at DM. AMARG lists show it as being in Area 23 (I think) with most of the other KC-135R's. I've made several trips to DM to try and get it, and failed. With a bit of effort you can get most of the ones with vertical tails still attached from the fence, and I also did two bus tours whilst they were still running. There were a few KC-135R's with no attached tails. So my assumption is that 58-0067 has had it's tail removed, and is far enough in so that you can't see the nose numbers.

I realise they do move airframes around a bit, but if you can ID where 58-0067 was during your flight it'll give me an idea where to look next time.

Cheers
Malcolm

Posted: **Wed May 21, 2025 10:45 am**

What a cracking set of photos

And what a waste of aircraft - youd think they would try and sell some of them off to other poorer nations for instance

Posted: **Wed May 21, 2025 11:19 am**

The Fairford Mole wrote: ↑
Wed May 21, 2025 10:45 am
What a cracking set of photos

And what a waste of aircraft - youd think they would try and sell some of them off to other poorer nations for instance

They do. Photo 8 shows 4 x F-16A/B shrink-wrapped fuselages just before they were air-lifted by An-124 to Ukraine via Poland.
Freeman

Posted: **Wed May 21, 2025 11:25 am**

Thanks for sharing these with us, many years since I had a flight over the site in a Cessna 172.

Posted: **Wed May 21, 2025 11:44 am**

Malcolm wrote: ↑
Wed May 21, 2025 10:07 am
XWP ... a request please.

Are any of your photos clear enough to see the serials of the KC-135R tails that have been removed from the aircraft and are lying on the ground next to the airframe?

Reason I ask - I need 58-0067, which was an Iowa ANG KC-135R before it arrived at DM. AMARG lists show it as being in Area 23 (I think) with most of the other KC-135R's. I've made several trips to DM to try and get it, and failed. With a bit of effort you can get most of the ones with vertical tails still attached from the fence, and I also did two bus tours whilst they were still running. There were a few KC-135R's with no attached tails. So my assumption is that 58-0067 has had it's tail removed, and is far enough in so that you can't see the nose numbers.

I realise they do move airframes around a bit, but if you can ID where 58-0067 was during your flight it'll give me an idea where to look next time.

Cheers
Malcolm

Hi Malcom,
Unfortunately not, we were directed to 7000 ft by the Tower at DM from 5000 ft as we climbed and before we entered the airspace, the helicopter operators told us access is patchy during the week so we were lucky. The helicopter had the doors off and was quite an experience, DM asked the Pilot to leave after a couple of circuits. Using a 70-200 and varying between full frame and crop setting these are as good as they get, I haven't been through the ground photos yet, the one that stood out was an ex square D tail. Good luck with your quest.

Posted: **Wed May 21, 2025 12:25 pm**

The Fairford Mole wrote: ↑
Wed May 21, 2025 10:45 am
What a cracking set of photos

And what a waste of aircraft - youd think they would try and sell some of them off to other poorer nations for instance

Selling them is one thing, but you have to remember that you don't buy a fighter (even with the older generation of jets) you buy a _system_. So including spares, logistic support sometimes software with it. You need people for that who are well trained to maintain it. I don't know the current flight hour to personnel ended, but it can reach the 1 to 20 ratio pretty quick.

Such a shame though. A lot of the frames in the pictures I must have seen operationally during the 90'ies ;-)

Posted: **Wed May 21, 2025 7:29 pm**

XWP,
Thanks for looking. Hopefully I'll sort it out before it becomes a Baked Bean can.

Posted: **Thu May 22, 2025 8:00 am**

Some good shots from the day Nick - thanks

XWP29 wrote: ↑
Wed May 21, 2025 11:44 am
We were directed to 7000 ft by the Tower at DM from 5000 ft as we climbed and before we entered the airspace, the helicopter operators told us access is patchy during the week so we were lucky. The helicopter had the doors off and was quite an experience

Yes it was quite an experience - 7K, no doors and a regular car seat belt to stop you falling out! Not had a look at mine from the day yet but don't think I took that many due to hanging on

Posted: **Thu May 22, 2025 12:55 pm**

Wow, that looks like an unforgettable trip! Thanks for sharing.

Posted: **Thu May 22, 2025 4:28 pm**

Now that is a serious eye opener..thanks for sharing, superb post

Posted: **Fri May 23, 2025 3:41 am**

What an experience and what a set

Rather you than me, Nick

All the best, matey

Pads

Posted: **Fri May 23, 2025 9:53 am**

Malcolm wrote: ↑
Wed May 21, 2025 10:07 am
XWP ... a request please.

Are any of your photos clear enough to see the serials of the KC-135R tails that have been removed from the aircraft and are lying on the ground next to the airframe?

Reason I ask - I need 58-0067, which was an Iowa ANG KC-135R before it arrived at DM. AMARG lists show it as being in Area 23 (I think) with most of the other KC-135R's. I've made several trips to DM to try and get it, and failed. With a bit of effort you can get most of the ones with vertical tails still attached from the fence, and I also did two bus tours whilst they were still running. There were a few KC-135R's with no attached tails. So my assumption is that 58-0067 has had it's tail removed, and is far enough in so that you can't see the nose numbers.

I realise they do move airframes around a bit, but if you can ID where 58-0067 was during your flight it'll give me an idea where to look next time.

Cheers
Malcolm

We were at DM on 24-1-2025 , did the over flight etc from a Cessna at 5000 feet - a helicopter experience must be amazing

I have a photo of 58-0067 Sioux City on the ground at DM - easy to see

There is a bit of rough ground where we parked to read the rows of MQ8 helicopters ( our team leader wing commander P. Potter likes a UAV) and i took some time to image any other tails including your 58-0067 which looks in good nick

The KC-135 is in area 23 - I could post a photo in here but I don't want to spoil a nice thread !

Posted: **Fri May 23, 2025 9:25 pm**

Great shots, that are quite heartbreaking!
Some nice rarities too - like the YC-14 in shot 5.

Posted: **Fri May 23, 2025 10:07 pm**

Wow what a place. Always wanted to go but still on the "bucket" list. Great set of photos. The YC-14 is the one from Mildenhall show 1977.

Posted: **Mon May 26, 2025 8:28 am**

Ooooh, right on the money

So very many gems captured beautifully!
Thank you so very much for your truly excellent post

FighterControl

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A flight over The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG)

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Re: A flight over The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG)

Re: A flight over The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG)

Re: A flight over The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG)

Re: A flight over The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG)

Re: A flight over The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG)

Re: A flight over The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG)

Re: A flight over The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG)

Re: A flight over The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG)

Re: A flight over The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG)

Re: A flight over The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG)

Re: A flight over The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG)

Re: A flight over The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG)