FighterControl

Some KC-135s and variants at Mildenhall from over the years I have completed so far

To confirm I did not take these and they are from the collection of Richard Minter and appropriately watermarked. Richard has kindly given permission to share these

KC-135A - 61-0266 - 97th BW, Blytheville AFB by Darren Currie, on Flickr

KC-135E - 91499 - NH ANG by Darren Currie, on Flickr

EC-135H - 10291 'Anglian Lion', 10th ACCS, RAF Mildenhall by Darren Currie, on Flickr

EC-135H - 10291 'Anglian Lion', 10th ACCS, RAF Mildenhall by Darren Currie, on Flickr

KC-135E - 59-1514- 55th SRW, Offutt AFB by Darren Currie, on Flickr

E-8 Joint Stars - 86-0416 - US Air Force / US Army by Darren Currie, on Flickr

WC-135B - 61-2673 'River City Rambler' - 55th WRS, McClellan AFB by Darren Currie, on Flickr

C-135C - 61-2669 'Speckled Trout' - 412th FLTS, Edwards AFB by Darren Currie, on Flickr

KC-135A - 62-3527 - 410th BW, KI Sawyer AFB by Darren Currie, on Flickr

C-135E - 60-0376 - US Air Force by Darren Currie, on Flickr

Hope you found of interest

I think 59-1414 should read 59-1514 as per photograph

Great memories, minor point the E-8 J-Stars is a B707 variant rather than C-135.

nice set

Ah, the noisy smoky days!!. Lovely!.

Hi Darren

Top scanning/processing, buddy

I was wondering if that 10th ACCS bird was the one that performed ‘that’ climb out at the Air Fete

Best regards and see you soon

Paddy

plmc135 wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 13, 2024 3:24 pm

I think 59-1414 should read 59-1514 as per photograph

Alf wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 13, 2024 3:58 pm

Great memories, minor point the E-8 J-Stars is a B707 variant rather than C-135.

Thanks both - updated

paddyboy wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 14, 2024 3:33 am

Hi Darren

Top scanning/processing, buddy

I was wondering if that 10th ACCS bird was the one that performed ‘that’ climb out at the Air Fete

Best regards and see you soon

Paddy

Yes Paddy - that's the one - 'Anglian Lion'

Thanks for sharing these with us, some great shots and memories, really enjoyed viewing them.

Superb shots of 'proper' jets, I really like Richard's selection here and a 'star' in your exercise book Darren for great scans, well done mate

Thanks for posting, keep them coming

best regards
Keith (3Greens)

Top work there Daz well done mate. and credit to Richard too. great stuff.

Alf wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 13, 2024 3:58 pm

Great memories, minor point the E-8 J-Stars is a B707 variant rather than C-135.

I always thought the 135 was a variant of the 707, as was the 720. What's the rule and can you tell visually?

The 707 came after the 135, which was originally Boeing 717 (not to he confused with the much later aircraft with the same designation). 135 and 707 are structurally different in fuselage for a start. I'm sure there is plenty on line for those keen to learn more.

The speckled trout was a favourite of mine. Spectacular looking aircraft. Great photos.

Excellent Darren.

Great pictures of possibly my favourite aircraft.

Re the 135 is a military 707 thing, my understanding is:

1. 135 was developed from the Boeing 367-80 and came first.
2. 135 has a narrower fuselage.
3. Early 707s had a similar wing to the 135 with straight trailing edges.
4. Early 707s were short.
5. Later 707s were longer with a bigger wing.
6. The 720 wing is different again with a fairing where the leading edge joins the fuselage.
7. 135s ended up with the same tail as the 707 but these were retrofitted (hence the stored civil 707s at AMARG).
8. 135s and 707s ended up with the same engines (before the 135R).

I don't claim to be an expert and wish I'd been born about 20 years earlier so that I could have got to Mildenhall sooner than I was able to.

Feel free to comment!

Regards,
Ferrari

Good info, thanks. I'm just glad I'm not technical and enjoy looking at all four-engined Boeings. I first got off the ground in a 720.

sdad
Lucky you!
Think I only saw 1 (MEA at LHR).