Warbird Information Exchange

For one more month, I'm a crew chief assigned to KC-135 s/n 58-0054. My enlistment is up Jan. 26th.
Anyhow, I understand "my Tanker" was the first to refuel the SR-71 and also had a midair with another Blackbird.
Here are a few really awesome pics.....looking for any more pics out there, preferably prior to the modern/current paint scheme:







Her current nose art:



I appreciate anything you guys can provide!
Johnny

My Dad was stationed at Castle AFB from September 1957 until March 1964. He was a boom operator on KC-135s there and was aboard 58-0054 in at least ten flights chronicled in his old logbook.

The first was 8 June 1959 when they refueled a B-47 over Santa Barbara and had dry hookups with B-52 over same area. 9:20 logged that day.

26 June 1959 flew passengers and freight to Spokane 2:25 logged
Then, same day, XC to El Paso via Pierre, SD landed at Biggs AFB. 4:35 logged.

29 June 59 XC El Paso to Pendleton, OR area with B-52 refuel over Oregon then to Castle. 6:15 logged.

Other dated entries:

8 July 1959
19 Jan 1960
5 April 1961
26 May 1961
16 Feb 1962

My dad took slide photos in those days. Not alot, and mostly all air to air of the refuels. Very few ramp shots.
I'll have to dig and see if any are of 054!

I just sent a text to my buddy with the 171st in Pittsburgh. We will see if she is still there

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eigjb/4667085504/

Looks as though she is still in Pittsburgh. Now named Allegheny Warrior

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

L. Thompson,
That is amazing! I'd sure appreciate anything you can dig up! It's really neat to hear of the things she used to do and think of all those things while the ramp is quiet. Pretty easy to get caught up in what history was made "right here where I'm standing"

Mustangdriver, (Chris from warbird rescue, right?)
She is definitely still there at the 171st, I just did her pre-flight this past weekend! Also, since returning from depot, she's been re-named "Generations of Pride" in honor of the 171st ARW and this unit's full history. My original post shows her new nose art, done last year some time. Maintaining a true warbird still in service might make a good subject for your show (hint hint) especially since it IS your home town and everything........(if you'd be interested, I can put you in contact with the right people for an interview!)

The purpose of my research is for some artwork I'm doing for the galley top. I'd like to pay tribute to a few of the special things she's been a part of over the years before my enlistment ends. That's my goodbye present and my permanent mark on this airplane's great history.

flypa38:

PM me you E-mail and I will scan some pages of my dad's old logbook with these entries.

Lowell

I am the one in the same! And that is a great idea!! Let's do this! Do you know Dave Kirkpatrick? He used to work for me at Stat. When I left for the tower he took my old spot!

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Check your PM box Chris, incoming!

I can see 0054 from my office window.

http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.s ... ers.net%2F

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45-47=-2

Mike do you work on the base or over at the complex across the street?

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Up the hill from Scally's Golf Center. US Airways OCC (Ops Control Center).

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45-47=-2

Johnny I have some scans from Mildenhall in 1982 of 0054 if interested. It didn't have the nose art then, but did carry the wrap around SAC band,

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Paul Filmer
skippyscage photography

My uncle flew the Q. I'll ping him and see if this bird rings a bell.

Man that would be great! Thanks!

Christmas time, Johnny. Just went through 667 KC-135 negatives for you. and scanned in this one. This was the ONLY ONE I found of 58-0054. Says, "100ARW Mildenhall 1/5/78"

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hundreds of images of aero art, memorabilia, photos and artifacts at;
www.memaerobilia.com