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To: Tommyjo

**They forget that they would need to keep a dedicated 'Q tanker' type fleet for the fuel.***

The KC-135 can be used to refuel other aircraft without any changes. We refueled B-52s and fighters in SE Asia with JP-4 fuel. Upon return to the US we would purge the tanks and refill with JP-7 for the SR-71.

WE used to have to hand purge by draining the spare tanks of JP-4 and put in and drain a small amount of JP-7 to wash out any JP-4 left. The tanks were then considered purged.

The "Q" designation came because later a smaller spare tank was added for an inflight purge. This tank was filled with JP-7 and while inflight this fuel was transfered to the empty storage tanks to wash out the remaining JP-4. It was then dumped inflight. It saved us a lot of time and trouble.

You can still refuel other aircraft with the KC-135Q with no changes other than the jet propellant.


290 posted on 02/06/2005 7:37:20 AM PST by Ruy Dias de Bivar (When someone burns a cross on your lawn, the best firehose is an AK-47.)
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To: Ruy Dias de Bivar

Many thanks for the great info.


317 posted on 02/06/2005 12:35:39 PM PST by Tommyjo
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