Boeing KC 97 Graveyard
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- Опубликовано: 29 авг 2024
- We visit Greybull, Wyoming to inspect a Boeing KC-97 that has sat outside for over 40 years. Snakes, Racoons, sticker weeds and heat couldn't keep us away from looking at this historic refueling plane.
My Dad was a Flight Engineer on the KC97s out of Dow AFB in Bangor Maine. I used to have all the operations manuals for various versions of the 97. They have all disappeared over the years. I sure wish I had been more careful with their handling.
I didn’t realize so many aircraft were still at Greybull. That’s wonderful to see.
I stopped by the airport there several years ago with my family to see the museum of aerial firefighting. No one was around, but the aircraft located just around the parking area were amazing to see. Now I want to return and check out the bone yard. Awesome video thanks.
Thanks!!!
Back in the late 70's another civil engineering officer and myself were tasked with mounting a KC-97 for the Malmstrom AFB museum. The KC was flown in from the boneyard in AZ, and made several low passes down the base runway on a crystal-clear blue sky; before making its final landing. Unfortunately, I did not have my camera. We had mounting pylons prepared; but it was a bit of a struggle to jack the KC upon the supports. Slowly, but surely, we got the job done and the KC is still on display near the base main gate.
Cool story!!! Thanks for your efforts to save history!
Tough job man congrats,That’s one to show the Grandkids.
Always interesting to see new, to me, aircraft graveyards & their content. I’m a retired Canadian service member, 1967-96. Cold War era combat arms. My dad & uncles now deceased WW2 vets. Land, sea & air. My dad a Lancaster m/u gunner with 101 Sqn Mar-Sep 1944. 32 missions. My love of military aircraft comes from visiting airports with him as a kid. Thanks for sharing.
Appreciate your sharing your story!!!
@@gpagecolorado I’m seeing a… Box Car… in the background of this video? True? Is it possible to have you offer a quick video tour of what this yard contains? No doubt it’s very expensive to return & maintain one of these aircraft to flight.
At 76, I have seen some of these, B-29's and 36's fly over near the Spokane area in N end of Idaho where I was born and raised. I had NO idea any of these existed in any form, anymore
Probably out of Fairchild AFB.
I see they're all Arizona Air Guard planes as they are an air refueling unit. I watched these launch for years from Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix. When I was stationed at Luke in the early 70s, the guard would call the base for their flight and weather briefings so we knew when and where they'd be flying. Thay had a couple of C-97 cargo models and periodically they needed over water time so we would hop rides on them, usually to Honolulu, for the weekend. A non-stop flight from Honolulu to Phoenix is a practice in patience on one of these old ladies. I miss riding on these old birds and the occasional trip to Puerto Rico was pretty sweet too.
I can't imagine the sound of a loaded KC-97L with the jet engine assist!
Ye Olde Putt-putt planes 😊
G'day from Australia, impressive tankers! Awesome aircraft and of course their civilian sisters the 377 Stratocruiser airliner used by Pan Am etc.
Wouldn't it be great to see one of these in the air again!
Yes it would! There is a private one flying in the states now.
Glad to see they’re not stripped out hulks waiting for the breakers bar.
The NYANG unit I belonged to in the '60s flew C-97s converted from KC-97s before changing their support role to C-130 Skibirds. Rode the 97's a few times and while fun, they were s-l-o-w in comparison.
Thanks for sharing that!!!
It is nice to see a mostly intact aircraft out there like that.
Great video and definitely looking forward to the updates...
Many thanks!
One of my childhood mentors, Alan Rosa, was a KC97 pilot. He talked about picking them up brand new from the assembly plant and delivering them to the Air Force. He started out as a 19-year old B-24 pilot in WW2, flew bombing missions over Italy and Austria. He remained in the Air Force after the war, until retiring as an O-6 Colonel and commanded a KC-135 Air Group in the SAC.
My first Air Force assignment was Mt. Home AFB, Idaho. I worked tanker recovery on KC-97s i 1964 & 1965. It was a SAC base but late '65 early '66 it was being turned over TAC. Fascinating aircraft.
Imagine the operating costs per hour of one of those KC-97's? Those four thirsty piston engines plus the two jet engines. They amount of oil those engines consumed? You'd need to be Jeff Bezos's to afford to fly one.
Amazing how complete these aircraft are.
Except for the missing rudder. It must have been an "optional extra".
Thankfully, I live in a country without snakes. 😊🐍🐍
It's there, just not on the plane. Wish we didn't have so many snakes!
I would love to see one of these reclaimed/converted to a B-377 Stratocruiser.
Sentiments understood.
Boeing massively effed up not taking the opportunity to fit Allisons to the 377 Airframe, which would have helped them garner the funds to invest in their Jet projects with greater ease.
A Turboprop 377-300 could have helped profits significantly.
@@RedArrow73 Great idea. This makes alot of sense but I never thought of that great option. I love the Convair liners that were converted to turbo prop.
I used to be a pilot for H&P and lived in Greybull
back in the 1980's I was stationed at Ft. Wainwright. I was a Flight Operations Specialists . On the other side of the airfield was BLM (bureau of Land Management) They had 2 operational C97's I got to take a ride in one. smelled like old socks but I would to it againl
I believe the Berlin Airlift Historical Guys are interested in these aircraft.
If WE SAY SO allows them to take the parts etc. FAA-- WESAYSO
I see a 4360...I break into a sweat and become nauseated. Worked on them while going to Embry-Riddle in the 1970s-1980s. Learned a bunch...occasionally asked to consult even in 2024
Would love to see one or all of these make it to be displayed somewhere...
I was there two days ago
:):)
I hate seeing any beast like these sitting. I wonder if they could be re-worked and made to fight wild fires as a water bomber? I only say this with the thinking the airframes/power plants are still worth the many dollars and the aircraft characteristics match with what would be needed ,,, Make me ill the money involved in anything aviation related.
I could see the fuselages going to waste, but the engines could be recycle. Some old airplane out there could probably use them. Good video.
Thanks for watching!
It's a shame just to left them planes sit and rot
Dry climate has helped preserve them.
Can i have one to make a nice home out of??? Looks perfect for me
How many kc-97’s are on the field … did I count 3?
I think there are 6-7 total...
Are some of these going to be restored to flying status?
Not sure... Stay tuned...
I worked for H&P on helicopters when the KC 97s came from AZ.
Great video!
Off to Ukraine next? KC-97L and f-16? Hmm 🤔
Nah…