Air-to-Air Refueling Explained

A video showing how a KC-135 Stratotanker carries out air-to-air refueling of a Hercules plane and a F-15 fighter.

Video Source:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Triwood1973

 

This is a nice refueling scene from the classic movie “A Gathering of Eagles”. During the refueling a fuel manifold bursts open in the cockpit of the B-52 and an emergency breakaway is executed. All electrical equipment is shut off and the aircraft is forced to perform a high speed flaps up landing resulting in hot brakes.

Video Source:

http://www.youtube.com/user/oisiaa

B-47 refueling from KC-97L

This is the refueling scene from the movie “Strategic Air Command”. In this scene a B-47 is refueled from a KC-97L. The KC-97L is easily identified by the addition of two J-47 turbojet engines under the wings outboard of the R-4360 radials. The J-47s gave the KC-97 a higher top speed which allowed it to refuel the new breed of high speed jet powered aircraft. The KC-97L was a stopgap measure until the KC-135A Stratotanker came online.

Video Source:

http://www.youtube.com/user/oisiaa

C-32 Refueling Picture

Here is a rare look at a Boeing C-32 being refueled from a KC-10. The Boeing C-32 is a military passenger transportation version of the Boeing 757 for the United States Air Force. The C-32 provides transportation for United States leaders to locations around the world. The primary customers are the Vice President of the United States, using the distinctive call sign “Air Force Two”, the First Lady, and occasionally members of the U.S. Cabinet and U.S. Congress. Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton have at times flown on a C-32 as Air Force One in place of the larger VC-25A.

Image Source: Ken Moeser