A total of 816 Boeing KC-97 Stratotankers were produced, the design was based on the Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber and featured the "flying boom" re-fuelling system, it was USAF's primary airborne refuelling tanker aircraft from 1950 until the introduction of the jet engine powered Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker in 1957, it is of note that the Air National Guard continued to operate the Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker until 1978. Boeing KC-97L Stratotanker Specifications: - Crew: Pilot, co-pilot, navigator, flight engineer and fuel boom operator
- Capacity: 9,000 gal (34,000 L) of jet fuel
- Length: 117 ft 5 in
- Wingspan: 141 ft 2 in
- Height: 38 ft 4 in
- Empty weight: 82,500 lb
- Loaded weight: 153,000 lb
- Maximum takeoff weight: 175,000 lb
- Engines: Twin 5,790 lbf General Electric J47-GE-23 turbojets and four 3,500 hp Pratt & Whitney R-4360-59 radial engines
- Maximum speed: 400 mph
- Cruise speed: 230 mph
- Range: 2,300 mi
- Service ceiling 30,000 ft
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