Boeing 747 refueling SR-71 Blackbird
Here is what must have been a rare event; a 747 tanker refueling a SR-71 Blackbird. I don’t know much information about 747 tankers. If anybody has information about 747 tankers I would love to hear from you. I would especially be interested in photographs of the boom operator’s compartment, controls, and panel.
Boeing 747 tanker refueling a SR-71 Blackbird
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Access my entire collection from the OneDrive link below:
I have amassed a very large collection (over 1,000) of air to air refueling pictures and want to share them on this website. My collection includes many rare pictures (ever see an A-10 refuel from a KC-97?) of over 120 different receiver types. Whenever possible I will try to provide a link to the source(s), but I have been collecting the pictures for years on my hard drive and it may be very difficult to track down the original source.
If you find any errors on this site or have additional information about the topic please let me know and I will update the page.
Every great picture has a great story to go along. I have many great pictures, unfortunately I don’t have all of the stories. If anyone has additional information on any of the pictures featured on this site I would love for you to share your story. I am especially interested in documenting the old piston powered tankers, their stories are slowly fading away. This site is all about documenting the nitty-gritty details, so if the more specifics you have the better (quirks, ect…). Likewise, if anybody has unique air refueling pictures I would love to see them. You can send info to the address below:
Please use the comments section below the images as a place to discuss the picture and leave further information for others to read. Your discussion adds greatly to the historic value of this site and to the legacy of air refueling crew members.
Below is a brief list of things I am looking for, but any info is welcomed.
- Photographs and information about
Boeing 747 tankers.I would especially like pictures of the boom operator’s compartment, instruments, and panel. Please get in contact with me via the email address above if you have any information about the 747 tanker. - High resolution pictures of the KB-29P/KB-50/KC-97 Boom Operator’s Station and Panel
- KB-29/KB-50/KC-97 Flight Manuals
- F-86
F-104F-16XL in contact (boom pod or external view)- S-3 Viking on
BDA/MPRS/WARP/KC-10 CLD V-22 on KC-135 BDA (I know this picture exists)YC-15- X-32
- Any unique or rare air refueling picture
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Air Refueling Archive 
On 10/22/68 KC-135A #61-301A out of Westover crashed on approach to CCK AFB,Taiwan, apparently from either pilot error or mechanical problems I am very interested in any details that may be available, as two members of my squadron (99th OMS) as well as the flight crew were killed. I was aboard acft #498 that landed minutes earlier, and have always wondered about the accident and the accident report. Thanx.
747 Tanker. I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Vic Ellis, retired CMSgt. He was the lead boom operator in the Iranian Tanker program. I have no pictures, but Vic told me the pod in the Iranian 747 was the same/similar as the KC135. Same boom as well. It’s hard to be sure, but the picture looks like a KC 135 boom.
You are correct, it is as close to a KC135 pod and boom as it gets. Vic definitly felt at home in this air frame, those were the days..
This photo is one of several tests of the prototype. It was tested on various receiver aircraft. It was based on the KC-135 boom. I would not think that any actual refueling was taking place. The reason I say that is because the SR-71 used a unique fuel and had to have it own fleet of committed refuelers. Just a quess.