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Boeing C-137 Stratoliner

The Boeing C-137 Stratoliner was a VIP transport aircraft derived from the Boeing 707 jet airliner used by the
C-137 Stratoliner
United States Air Force. Other nations also bought both new and used 707s for military service, primarily as VIP or
C-18
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.

Contents
Development
Variants
C-18
C-137 Stratoliner
Other US variants
Variants of other militaries
Operators A VC-137B Stratoliner aircraft taking off in 1981
Aircraft on display Role Passenger/VIP transport
Specifications (VC-137C) Manufacturer Boeing
See also First flight 31 December 1958
References
Status Active but limited service
External links
Primary user United States Air Force
Produced 1954-1965

Development Developed from Boeing 707

Variants Boeing CC-137
USAF procurement of the Boeing 707 was very limited, amounting to three Model 707-153s designated VC-137A. When
Boeing E-3 Sentry
delivered in 1959 these had four 13,500 lb (6123 kg) dry thrust Pratt & Whitney J57 (JT3C6) turbojets; when
Boeing E-6 Mercury
subsequently re-engined with 18,000 lbf (80.1 kN) dry thrust TF33-P-5 (JT3D) turbofans they were redesignated VC-
Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint
137B. Only one other variant served with the USAF: this was the VC-137C Air Force One presidential transport, the
STARS
two examples of which were Model 707-320B Intercontinentals with specialized interior furnishings and advanced
VC-137C SAM 26000
communications equipment. Two further non-presidential C-137C aircraft were later added.[1]
VC-137C SAM 27000
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.[1]

Variants

C-18
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).[2]
EC-18B
Four C-18As modified alongside examples of the C-135 for Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft An EC-18B Advanced Range
(ARIA) missions in support of the Apollo space program.[2] The designation E-7 was originally applied Instrumentation Aircraft (ARIA)
takes off on its first flight at Wright-
to modified Boeing 707s before being replaced by the EC-18 designation.[3]
Patterson AFB, Ohio, following its
EC-18C
conversion from a Boeing 707-320.
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).[2]
TC-18E
Two second-hand (former Trans World Airlines) 707-331 aircraft modified for E-3 pilot and crew training.[2]
TC-18F
Two second-hand (former TAP Portugal) 707-382 aircraft modified for E-6 pilot training.[2]

C-137 Stratoliner
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.
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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. SAM 26000 and SAM
27000 were retired in 1998 and 2001 respectively. Both are now in aviation museums. 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 Spectators watch one of two C-
E-3A. A further second-hand 707-355C aircraft was acquired and configured as an airborne special 137B Stratoliner aircraft returning
operations command post. freed hostages after their release
from Iran in 1981

Other US variants

Boeing 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.
Boeing 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, known as "Take Charge and Move Out", gives it the suffix TACAMO. Only one
VC-137C SAM 27000 (Air Force
version of the E-6 currently exists, the E-6B. The E-6B is an upgraded version of the E-6A that now
One) parked on the tarmac at the
includes a battlestaff area for the USSTRATCOM Airborne Command Post
Venice Marco Polo Airport, Italy in
Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint STARS
1987
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
understanding 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.[4]

Variants of other militaries

CC-137 Husky
Canadian Forces designation for the 707-347C. Five were purchased new in 1970.
KC-137
Brazilian Air Force[5][6]
707
IRIAF operates 707 Tankers and Transports.
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.[7] Also, Omega Aerial
Refueling Services operates K707 tankers for lease.[8] An Italian Air Force Boeing 707T/T
KE-3A refuels two MB-339 in a
The Royal Saudi Air Force purchased eight E-3 airframes configured as aerial refueling tankers. demonstration
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

Iran

Islamic Republic of Iran 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.[9]
58-6971 Model 707-153 USAF VC-137B is on display at the Pima Air and Space Museum adjacent to Davis-Monthan AFB in
Tucson, AZ. This aircraft became known as "Freedom One" after serving in the return of the American hostages from Tehran,
Iran in 1981.[10]
62-6000 Model 707-320B (VC-137C SAM 26000), a former Air Force One aircraft, is on display at the National Museum of the
United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton, Ohio.
72-7000 Model 707-353B (VC-137C SAM 27000), a former Air Force One aircraft, is on display at the Ronald Reagan
Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.
58-6971 on display

Specifications (VC-137C)
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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: 4 × 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)

See also
Related development

VC-137C SAM 26000

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

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Douglas DC-8
Convair 880

References
1. Gunston, Bill. The Encyclopedia of Modern Warplanes, p. 64. Aerospace Publishing Ltd, 1995. ISBN 1-56619-908-5.
2. Model Designation of Military Aerospace Vehicles, United States Department of Defense, DoD 4120.15L
3. Parsch, Andreas. "Missing" USAF/DOD Aircraft Designations (http://www.designation-systems.net/usmilav/missing-mds.html). designation-systems.net
4. "DOD 4120.15-L - Addendum" (http://www.designation-systems.net/usmilav/412015-L(addendum).html). US DOD via Andreas Parsch, Designation-Systems.net.
5. "Estimating KC-137 Aircraft Ownership Costs in the Brazilian Air Force", Defense Technical Information Center (http://stinet.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataP
refix=html&identifier=ADA331196)
6. Brazilian Air Force information at Milavia (http://www.milavia.net/airforces/brazil/fab.htm)
7. Aeronautica Militare official site (http://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/Sitoam/default.asp?idente=1398&idNot=20733) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20090210200131/
http://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/Sitoam/default.asp?idente=1398&idNot=20733) February 10, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
8. Omega K707 Civilian Tanker (http://www.fuelbirds.com/Aircraft.html)
9. Museum of Flight: VC-137B (http://www.museumofflight.org/Collection/Aircraft.asp?RecordKey=8835E3E8-2D58-4DFE-87C9-1087DA0DD65B) Archived (https://web.arc
hive.org/web/20080630003407/http://www.museumofflight.org/Collection/Aircraft.asp?RecordKey=8835E3E8-2D58-4DFE-87C9-1087DA0DD65B) June 30, 2008, at the
Wayback Machine.
10. Pima Air & Space Museum: USAF VC-137B (http://www.pimaair.org/collection-detail.php?cid=38)

External links
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Boeing_C-137_Stratoliner&oldid=819204093"

This page was last edited on 8 January 2018, at 01:46.

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