Oldest KC-135E heads for the boneyard

[unhappycamper]

The KC-135E was originally dubbed the "Foxy Lady," but had its nose art changed for the Mallard design in 1984.


Oldest KC-135E heads for the boneyard
By Seamus O’Connor - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday May 29, 2008 6:10:50 EDT

Wednesday marks the retirement of the only Air Force veteran to take part in the Vietnam War, the Iraq war and the movie, “Dr. Stranglove.”

The oldest operational KC-135E, tail number 55-3145, flew off from Forbes Field, Kan., at approximately 9:45 a.m. local time Wednesday, headed for the boneyard outside Tucson, Ariz.

The 51-year-old tanker hadn’t flown since May 2007, but was the oldest E model to have flown. In fact, the Air Guard’s 190th Air Refeuling Wing, which operated the 55-3145 most recently, no longer has pilots qualified on E models; a trio from Scott Air Force Base, Ill., had to come in to fly the plane to its final resting place.

The plane, known these days as “Mallard I,” was delivered on Dec. 17, 1957, to Castle Air Force Base, Calif., and the 93rd Bombardment (Heavy) Wing of Strategic Air Command. The plane’s career included stops in England, Thailand, Japan and Guam plus a slew of CONUS bases. It spent time in combat over Bosnia, Iraq and Vietnam, and even took part in SAC Chrome Dome missions around the North Pole.

Those who worked on the Mallard remember it fondly.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/05/airforce_oldtanker_553145_052808w/