The KC-135 is the USAF version of the Boeing 707. Can't swear to it, but I don't think they are older then the 52's.
I heard at one time the KC-135 replacement was going to be the Boeing 767. Anybody else heard anything like that?
Photo #4: 060728-N-7241L-004 Atlantic Ocean (July 28, 2006) - Aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), an F-14D Tomcat assigned to the "Tomcatters" of Fighter Squadron Three One (VF-31), aircraft number 112, completes the final catapult launch of an F-14 Tomcat fighter aircraft. The last launch marks the end of an era for Naval Aviation. The F-14 will officially retire in September 2006, after 32 years of service to the fleet. Theodore Roosevelt is completing Joint Task Force Exercises with USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Laird (RELEASED). Caption Source: http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37561 - Big Image Link: http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/photos/060728-N-7241L-004.jpg
...the first KC-135A was purchasedby the U.S. Air Force in 1954; I know the B-52 "BUFF" went through several models, the earlier ones (A, B, D...?) having been retired to the "boneyard." The current B-52s are G and H models, I think.....??? and so I doubt they are as old as the KC-135s that are currently flying (the last KC-135 ride I took was on an aircraft with a 1957 tail number....!). I am not sure; never worked on any bomber aircraft; all of my Air Force service was on fighters and the A-7D series... the Boeing 767 series might very well be under consideration for the Air Force's next-generation tanker....
