Q: What’s the difference between the KC-135R and all other models?

A: When looking for the R, it’s easy to spot because it’s 4 engines with an airplane attached to them.  All others are just airplanes with 4 engines attached.

I was on the 135R test team during the early 1980s.  If I remember right, I believe we flew it to new altitude record of 52,000+ feet.  No thrust reversers on that bird.  We used to shut down the outboard engines while taxiing.  Even then we had a lot of breaking to do.

Nice story Mark.

Danny

LNC2-360 Mk-II

Nothing is foolproof to the sufficiently talented fool.

From: Mark Sletten [mailto:mwsletten@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, December 09, 2013 12:20 PM
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Subject: [LML] Nice story about an old friend.