Open Aircraft Day: Boeing KC-97L Stratofreighter During this special Open Aircraft Day, visitors will have the opportunity to tour the interior of the KC-97L Stratofreighter from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. | National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

Boeing KC-97L Stratofreighter: A Workhorse of Aerial Refueling ⛽✈️ Originally developed as a cargo version of the B-29, the C-97 Stratofreighter took its first flight in November 1944. By 1950, Boeing introduced the KC-97 tanker, featuring the now-standard flying boom refueling system. In total, the USAF ordered 890 aircraft, including 74 C-97 cargo planes and 816 KC-97 tankers. As high-performance jet aircraft entered service, the USAF gradually replaced its KC-97s with KC-135 jet tankers after

The Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter, an absolute powerhouse of post-WWII aviation! This incredible machine was more than just a cargo plane; it was a military marvel that changed how air forces operated globally. It started life by merging a "double-bubble" fuselage onto the proven wings of the B-29 Superfortress. Here are just a few reasons the C-97 was revolutionary: First of its kind: It introduced a spacious, two-deck, pressurized cabin, allowing it to adapt for troops, cargo, or even medical tr

Sunday Video The Boeing 377 Stratocruiser was a large long-range airliner developed from the C-97 Stratofreighter military transport, itself a derivative of the B-29 Superfortress. The Stratocruiser's first flight was on July 8, 1947. Its design was advanced for its day; its innovative features included two passenger decks and a pressurized cabin, a relatively new feature on transport aircraft. It could carry up to 100 passengers on the main deck plus 14 in the lower deck lounge; typical seating