Israel Buys Brazilian 707 to Cannibalize for Aging Tanker Aircraft Fleet

Haaretz ^ | May 10, 2017 | Gili Cohen

[sukhoi-30mki]

The Israel Air Force tanker aircraft are nearing the age of 60, so the Israeli army bought a Boeing 707 from the Brazilian air force to use for parts.

The air force is proud of its fleet of several tanker aircraft. They broke the record for the longest Israeli military flight when they covered a distance of 10,000 consecutive kilometers. However, these planes, which are required for long-range missions in various countries like Iran, are getting on. The youngest one is the Re’em (Boeing 707) at 35 years, while the oldest one was manufactured in 1958.

Old planes mean mishaps, some air force officials say, but the planes’ ages also mean a lack of replacement parts. So Israel recently decided to buy the Brazilian 707, which has been out of service for 10 years. The 707 is expected to be cannibalized for parts.

The plane was acquired as part of a no-bid contract worth $410,000. The Defense Ministry reportedly approved the acquisition three months ago. The ministry commented, “The acquisition deal from a local Brazilian company included two components – buying the Boeing 707 for the air force to use its parts, and another deal to buy plane parts.” The plane itself cost $300,000.

Senior air force officials in the past have backed acquiring new tanker aircraft as part of the $38 billion, 10-year U.S. aid package signed last September. Still, new tanker aircraft are deemed particularly expensive, and IDF officials prefer to invest in other aircraft like F-15s or in ground vehicles like an APC on wheels that Israel recently developed, called Eitan. Still, the air force has begun initial talks to evaluate the option of dedicating some of the military aid to buying tanker aircraft.

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[sukhoi-30mki]

An Israeli KC-135 Stratotanker Boeing 707 and F-15 fighter jets perform during an air show over the beach in Tel Aviv, May 2, 2017. JACK GUEZ/AFP

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[montag813]

Israeli pilots are simply incredible. I don’t know how they so consistently produce such superior talent

[oldplayer]

This picture just doesn’t look right.

But in any event, our guys fly basically the same aircraft (KC-135), but they are seriously “up engined” over the turbo-jets seen here on a true 707. Our airframes are elderly, too. Unfortunately, the KC-135 will have to be around for quite awhile longer. It is very capable, and it turns out that bigger and newer is not always better.

[Seruzawa]

Those 707s were great when you flew from the States to Japan back in the 70s. Fuel was cheap and they cruised at 620mph.

[Skybird]

This doesn’t quite make sense—surely, we’d sell (or give) needed parts from those planes that have been put out to pasture at Davis-Monthan AFB’s “boneyard.” No doubt a lot of KC-135 airframes and parts available.

[QBFimi]

Look closely - that’s not a KC-135 - it’s a converted passenger 707 with the boom added. The “Tank” didn’t have many windows along its side.

The engines look fine - I suspect they may be Pratt & Whitney JT3D-3B turbofans.

The 707s had horizontal stabilizer issues - when landed with 40 flaps (the full down setting), they had a low period (2-3 seconds or so) pitch oscillation that stressed the heck out of the stabilizer. An inflight separation over Mozambique brought it to Boeing’s attention.

Another issue - airplanes are designed to fly, not sit fully loaded on the ground most of their life. That takes a toll on them.

If anyone can keep these planes going, it’s the Israeli Air Force. Worked with them decades ago in Colombia - brilliant guys.

[FreedomPoster]

Maybe after an Obama for 8 years they are thinking it might happen again some day, and aren’t counting on that.

[NonValueAdded]

Whereas the US converts 707s to J-STARS

[oldplayer]

Yes. I saw the windows. The fin on the vertical stabilizer also gives it away. The engines are definitely not the fan jets we have on KC-135’s. This is truly a 707. You probably know, that even though the 135’s are based on 707’s, they are not converted from them. They were purpose built and have always had a few differences.

Still, the picture looks odd to me for other reasons. It doesn’t matter one way or the other, of course. The Israelis will use the Brazilian plane to get the most out of their fleet. May good luck and peace be with them.

[Larry Lucido]

When I want an aircraft for parts I buy an old Junker.

[Larry Lucido]

Or old Junkers, to be more accurate.

[VietVet876]

I loved flying in 707’s. In early ‘69, the government flew me in a Northwest Orient 707 from Sea-Tac to Tokyo en route to Taipei. The hot towells provided by the Japanese stewardesses sealed the deal.

[QBFimi]

>> I saw the windows ...

Yup, the horizontal stinger on the vertical tail is an HF antenna. If I recall correctly, the RC-135s had them, too. Douglas did it different on the DC-8s. They put an insulated plate on either side of the vertical tail and fed that.

The KC-135 had fuel tanks in place of the forward and aft cargo compartments, and a small (2800#) fuel tank where the aft lavs went on a 707. Had one hell of a nice cargo door, too.