C-137 Stratoliner
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Boeing C-137 Stratoliner | |
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| Boeing VC-137C SAM 26000 at the National Museum of the USAF | |
| Type | passenger/VIP transport |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| Status | Active service |
| Primary user | United States Air Force |
| Produced | 1954-1965 |
| Developed from | Boeing 707 |
| Variants | CC-137 Husky E-3 Sentry E-6 Mercury E-8 Joint STARS EC-18 ARIA VC-137 (Air Force One) |
The Boeing C-137 Stratoliner was a VIP transport aircraft derived from the Boeing 707 jet airliner used by the United States Air Force. Other nations also bought both new and used 707s for military service, primarily as VIP or tanker transports. In addition, the 707 served as the basis for several specilized versions, such as the E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft.
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[edit] History
USAF procurement of the Boeing 707 was very limited, amounting to three Model 707-153s designated VC-137A. When delivered in 1959 these had four 6123-kg (13,500-Ib) dry thrust Pratt & Whitney JT3C6 turbojets; when subsequently re-engined with 8165-kg (18,000-Ib) dry thrust TF33-P-5 turbofans they were redesignated VC-137B. Only one other variant served with the USAF: this was the VC-137C Air Force One Presidential transport, the two examples of which, apart from interior furnishings, are similar to the Model 707-320B Intercontinental. Two further non-presidential C-137C aircraft were later added.[1]
To supplement its VC-137s, the USAF converted several C-135 airframes to VC-135 VIP standard, and these were used for staff transport mainly within the United States.[1].
Many other countries have used the 707 as a VIP transport, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, the Republic of Congo, Egypt, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan (PAF), Romania, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Venezuela.
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) operated a number of Boeing 707s that were specially modified for VIP use before replacing them with modified BBJs. Other military operators of the 707 have included Angola, Canada, Colombia, Germany, India, Iran, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Taiwan, Togo, United Arab Emirates and Yugoslavia.
The U.S. and other NATO-aligned countries, as well as South Africa and Israel, have used the 707 platform for aerial refueling (KC-707) and AWACS (E-3 Sentry), although many of these aircraft are now being phased out. The Royal Australian Air force (RAAF) operates 707s as refuellers for Australia's F/A-18 Hornets; these are soon to be replaced by Airbus A330 MRTTs.
The 707 is also the platform for the United States Air Force (USAF)'s E-8 J-STARS, and the United States Navy's E-6 Mercury.
In the 1980s, the USAF acquired around 250 used 707s to provide parts for the KC-135E Stratotanker program.[2]
[edit] Variants
[edit] Specifications (VC-137C)
This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them.General characteristics
- Crew:
- Length: 152 ft 11 in (46.61 m)
- Wingspan: 145 ft 9 in (44.42 m)
- Height: 42 ft 5 in (12.93 m)
- Wing area: 3010 ft² (279.63 m²)
- Empty weight: 98,466 lb (44,663 kg)
- Loaded weight: 297,000 lb (135,000 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 327,000 lb (148,325 kg)
- Powerplant: 4× Pratt & Whitney TF-33-PW-102 turbofan engines , 18,000 lbf (80 kN) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 627 mph (1009 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 600 mph (966 km/h)
- Range: 7,610 mi (12,247 km)
- Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,200 m)
- Rate of climb: 4,900 ft/min (1,490 m/min)
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ a b Gunston, Bill: The Encyclopedia of Modern Warplanes, page 64. Aerospace Publishing Ltd, 1995. ISBN 1-56619-908-5
- ^ GlobalSecurity.org, "KC-135E", [1]
