Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter
The Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter is a four-engined, piston-powered United States strategic tanker aircraft based on the Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter. It replaced the KB-29 and was succeeded by the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker.
Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter
A Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter's refueling boom operator's station from the National Museum of the US Air Force
Two USAF A-7 Corsair IIs refueling from a KC-97.
Spanish Boeing KC-97L Stratofreighter at Albacete (1985)
Aerial refueling, also referred to as air refueling, in-flight refueling (IFR), air-to-air refueling (AAR), and tanking, is the process of transferring aviation fuel from one aircraft to another while both aircraft are in flight. The two main refueling systems are probe-and-drogue, which is simpler to adapt to existing aircraft, and the flying boom, which offers faster fuel transfer, but requires a dedicated boom operator station.
A KC-135 Stratotanker refuels an F-16 Fighting Falcon using a flying boom
Capt. Lowell Smith and Lt. John P. Richter receiving the first mid-air refueling on 27 June 1923
The US Air Force Boeing B-50 Superfortress Lucky Lady II being refueled by grappled-line looped-hose during the first non-stop circumnavigation of the world by air (1949)
Dutch Air Force KC-10 refueling boom