A REFUELING MISSION – Page One

A mechanic toils during the pre-dawn hours readying the aircraft for flight. Former KC-97 crew members and maintenance people will recall that the cowlings were removed for maintenance from one or more engines almost constantly while the aircraft were on the ground.

The flight crew assembles for inspection and briefing prior to flight. In the front row from left: Jim Marlow, John Meservey, Lloyd Webster, unknown, Jean Kruger; in the background on the right is John Thomas, on the left is unknown.

Enroute to the rendezvous with the bomber at 220 knots (approximately 250 mph). These aircraft flew at a snail’s pace compared to the bombers they refueled, making the operation much more difficult, especially from the bomber pilots’ perspective.

The “observation position.” The bomber stabilizes in position below and behind the tanker for a few seconds before moving in to receive fuel. The tanker is now flying at his maximum airspeed, while the bomber is at his minimum.