Go Inside Stormin’ Norman’s EC-135 – Photo Tour Now Posted
The EC-135 used by General Norman Schwarzkopf
WARBIRD RADIO – During Desert Storm this EC-135 served as General Norman Schwarzkopf’s personal airplane. It’s normally off limits but thankfully our camera was allowed inside. This airplane is truly a time capsule…it’s relatively untouched (there’s still paper in the paper shredder). Be sure to keep an eye out for the Millennium Falcon on the dash and the four hearts on the chair. The EC-135 is currently on display at the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, Georgia.
BOEING EC-135 “Strato Tanker” Details & Specs (Courtesy Of – The Museum of Aviation’s Website)
While the KC-135A is usually used for in-flight refueling, the EC-135N is a modified version used in various testing programs. Similar to the commercial Boeing 707, the slightly smaller KC-135 was designed to military specifications and operated at higher gross weights. The initial flight of a KC-135A took place on 31 August 1956, and the USAF accepted its first one on 31 January 1957. By 1966, 732 KC-135As had been built and the aircraft had become the USAF’s standard tanker. It was also used for transporting cargo or personnel, and by 1970 was serving in other roles too, including reconnaissance, electronic intelligence gathering, and project testing. Updated KC-135 Stratotankers, EC-135 command posts, and RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft continue to serve in large numbers.
The EC-135N on display was delivered to the USAF in November 1961 as a C-135A and assigned to the 1611th Air Transport (Heavy) Wing at McGuire AFB, New Jersey. In August 1966 it was transferred to the Eastern Test Range, at Patrick AFB, Florida and converted to an EC-135N for test purposes. In December 1975 it was moved to the 4950th Test Wing at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. In June 1987 it was transferred to the 19th Air Refueling Wing here at Robins AFB, Georgia where it served as an airborne command post. In the 1990s it was transferred to the Headquarters Central Command (CENTCOM) at MacDill AFB FL. During Desert Storm it served as General Norman Schwarzkopf’s aircraft, ferrying him to and from the Middle East. It remained at MacDill AFB serving other CENTCOM Commanders until February 2003 when it was retired to the Museum for display.
SPECIFICATIONS:
(Data for KC-135A)
Span: 130 feet 10 inches
Length: 136 feet 3 inches
Height: 41 feet 8 inches
Weight: 300,000 lbs. loaded
Armament: None
Engine: Four Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojet engines of 13,750 lbs, thrust each with water injection
Crew: Four (plus 80 troops)
Cost: $3,436,000
PERFORMANCE:
Maximum speed: 606 mph
Cruising speed: 512 mph
Range: 8,673 miles
Service ceiling: 50,000 feet
QUICK LINK: Museum of Aviation
Open Line Friday – Warbird Radio LIVE!
Operators are standing by! Studio Line 478.787.4768
FRIDAY – Call in and let’s talk warbirds. Phone lines open at 10am (EDT) and anything related to warbirds goes. Feel free to shamelessly plug your upcoming event or business. We’ll also take your “swap – buy – sale” calls if you have one. Our studio contact info is posted below. Thanks for listening!
STUDIO LINE: 478.787.4768
SKYPE: warbirdradio
EMAIL: matt@warbirdradio.com
Tour The KC-97 Flight Engineer Station
WARBIRD RADIO – Former KC-97 Flight Engineer Bob Denison shows around the Stratotanker’s Flight Engineer Station. The KC-97 in the video is currently on display at the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, Georgia. Enjoy the video!
QUICK LINK: Museum of Aviation
B-17 “Champaign Lady” UPDATE – Warbird Radio LIVE! – Thursday
The "Champaign Lady" sits in her hangar.
THURSDAY – Hear the latest news on the Urbana B-17 “Champaign Lady”. We’re also checking in with Stearman owner and wingwalker Carol Pilon. Tune in for an action packed Warbird Radio LIVE this Thursday at 10am (EDT). For more info on both ladies…just use the Quick Links posted below. Thanks for listening!
QUICK LINK: Urbana B-17 Project
QUICK LINK: Carol Pilon & Third Strike Wingwalking
STUDIO LINE: 478.787.4768
SKYPE: warbirdradio
EMAIL: matt@warbirdradio.com
WIX Warbird Weekly LIVE! – 4/28/10
WARBIRD RADIO – The boys are back tonight! Join Ryan Keough and Zane Adams this evening on WIX Warbird Weekly LIVE. Phone lines open at 8pm (EDT). Call in and let’s talk warbirds. To join the conversation just use the contact info posted below. Thanks for listening.
P.S. – Podcast includes WIX “After Hours”….haha. Enjoy!
STUDIO LINE: 478.787.4768
SKYPE: warbirdradio
EMAIL: wix@warbirdradio.com
