The story
The C-135 Stratolifter is the KC-135 tanker without the fuel boom — just 45 were built as pure transports while the Air Force waited for bigger airlifters. They never stayed ordinary. Over six decades the fleet was converted into testbeds, VIP transports, range-instrumentation jets and special-mission aircraft, and the handful still flying are essentially one-of-a-kind aircraft.
Boeing's internal name for the C-135 was the Model 717 — a name the company later reused for a completely different airliner.
Quick answers
How do you identify a C-135 Stratolifter?
Looks like a KC-135 with no refueling boom under the tail. If you catch one, look up the tail number — nearly every surviving C-135 is a unique special-mission conversion.
What does a C-135 Stratolifter sound like?
Four TF33 turbofans with an old-school low-bypass growl — a sound that is slowly disappearing from the sky.
How fast is the C-135 Stratolifter?
Top speed is 500 kts.
How many people does the C-135 Stratolifter carry?
Typical configuration: Flight crew + mission specialists.
How far can the C-135 Stratolifter fly?
Range is about 3,000 nmi.
How big is the C-135 Stratolifter?
It is 136 ft 3 in long and 130 ft 10 in across the wings.
When did the C-135 Stratolifter first fly?
Its first flight was in 1961.
How many C-135 Stratolifters have been built?
45 built.
How rare is a C-135 Stratolifter in Bogey?
RARE. A good day. Most spotters go weeks between sightings of something this rare. Your first C-135 Stratolifter catch is worth 250 points.
