Boeing C-137 Stratoliner

C-137 Stratoliner C-18

Picture - A VC-137B Stratoliner aircraft taking off in 1981

Role: Passenger/VIP transport
Manufacturer: Boeing
Status: Active service
Primary user: United States Air Force
Produced: 1954-1965
Developed from: Boeing 707
Variants: Boeing CC-137 E-3 Sentry E-6 Mercury E-8 Joint STARS VC-137C SAM 26000 VC-137C SAM 27000

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 specialized versions, such as the E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft. The designation C-18 covers several later variants based on the 707-320B/C series.

Development

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 13,500 lb (6123 kg) dry thrust Pratt & Whitney J57 (JT3C6) turbojets; when subsequently re-engined with 18,000 lbf (80.1 kN) dry thrust TF33-P-5 (JT3D) 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 were Model 707-320B Intercontinentals with specialized interior furnishings and advanced communications equipment. Two further non-presidential C-137C aircraft were later added.

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.

Variants

C-18

Picture - An EC-18B Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft (ARIA) takes off on its first flight at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, following its conversion from a Boeing 707-320.

The C-18 is the US military designation for the conversions of the 707-320B series.

C-18A
Eight second-hand (former American Airlines) 707-323Cs bought as crew trainers for the EC-18Bs, four later converted to EC-18B, two converted to EC-18D, one to C-18B; one was not taken into service and was used for spares.
C-18B
One C-18A modified with instrumentation and equipment to support the Military Strategic and Tactical Relay System (MILSTAR).
EC-18B

Picture - VC-137C SAM 27000 (Air Force One) parked on the tarmac at the Venice Marco Polo Airport, Italy in 1987

Four C-18As modified alongside examples of the C-135 for Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft (ARIA) missions in support of the Apollo space program.
EC-18C
Original designation for two prototype J-STAR aircraft, later redesignated E-8A.
EC-18D
Two C-18As modified as a Cruise Missile Mission Control Aircraft (CMMCA).
TC-18E
Two second-hand (former Trans World Airlines) 707-331 aircraft modified for E-3 pilot and crew training.
TC-18F
Two second-hand (former TAP Portugal) 707-382 aircraft modified for E-6 pilot training.

C-137 Stratoliner

Picture - Spectators watch one of two C-137B Stratoliner aircraft returning freed hostages after their release from Iran in 1981

The USAF purchased a number of 707s under the C-137 series of designations:

VC-137A
Three 707-153s with a 22-passenger VIP interior and provision for use as an airborne command post, re-designated VC-137B.
VC-137B
The three VC-137As re-engined with four Pratt & Whitney JT3D-3 engines, operated by the 89th Military Airlift Wing, redesignated C-137B.
C-137B
The three VC-137Bs redesignated when downgraded from VIP role.
VC-137C
Two 707-353Bs were purchased by the USAF (one in 1961 and one in 1972) for service as presidential transports with call signs SAM 26000 and SAM 27000; later redesignated C-137C.
C-137C
The two VC-137Cs were redesignated when downgraded from presidential use. Two further C-137Cs were acquired by the USAF, one 707-396C (a seized aircraft formerly used for arms smuggling acquired in 1985) and one 707-382B bought second hand in 1987.
EC-137D
Two aircraft built as Early Warning and Control System prototypes. Later re-engined and re-designated E-3A. A further second-hand 707-355C aircraft was acquired and configured as an airborne special operations command post.

Other US variants

E-3 Sentry
Airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft that provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications, to the United States, NATO and other air defense forces. Based on the 707-320B, production ended in 1992 after 68 had been built.
E-6 Mercury
A version of the 707-320, it operates as an airborne command post and communications center, relaying instructions from the National Command Authority. Its role in relaying to the fleet ballistic missile submarines gives it the suffix TACAMO ("Take Charge and Move Out"). Only one version of the E-6 currently exists, the E-6B. The E-6B is an upgraded version of the E-6A that now includes a battlestaff area for the USSTRATCOM Airborne Command Post
E-8 Joint STARS
The E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) is a USAF airborne battle management and command and control (C2) platform that conducts ground surveillance to develop an under standing of the enemy situation and to support attack operations and targeting that contributes to the delay, disruption and destruction of enemy forces.
CT-49A
NATO Trainer-Cargo Aircraft (TCA) operated to support E-3A AWACS training and air transport/cargo for NATO (NAEW&CF) based on Boeing 707-320B.

Variants of other militaries

Picture - An Italian Air Force Boeing 707T/T refuel two MB-339 in a demonstration

CC-137 Husky
Canadian Forces designation for the 707-347C. Five were purchased in 1970.
KC-137
Brazilian Air Force
707T/T
The 707 Tanker/Transport. Italy purchased and converted four 707s, two to tankers and two to a straight freighter. No 707 tankers remains operational as of 3 April 2008. Also, Omega Air operates K707 tankers for lease.
KE-3A
The Royal Saudi Air Force purchased eight E-3 airframes configured as aerial refueling tankers.
Condor
Airborne Early Warning, Command and Control (AEWC&C) aircraft developed in conjunction with Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) using a former Lan Chile aircraft.

Operators

Brazil

Brazilian Air Force

United States

United States Air Force

Aircraft on display

The following aircraft are on public display:

58-6970 Model 707-120 USAF VC-137B "SAM 970", Museum of Flight, Seattle, WA.
58-6971 Model 707-153 USAF VC-137B Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, AZ.
62-6000 Model 707-320B (VC-137C SAM 26000) Air Force One is on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force near Dayton, Ohio.
72-7000 Model 707-353B (VC-137C SAM 27000) Air Force One is on display at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.

Specifications (VC-137C)

General characteristics

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: 4x— 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)

Related development

VC-137C SAM 26000
VC-137C SAM 27000
Boeing 707
C-135 Stratolifter
KC-135 Stratotanker
Boeing CC-137
E-3 Sentry
E-6 Mercury
E-8 Joint STARS

Comparable aircraft

Douglas DC-8
Convair 880

Boeing C-137 Stratoliner Pictures

Living Warbirds: The best warbirds DVD series.

Source: WikiPedia