The KC-135 Stratotanker Landing Gear is Equal to 200 Automobile Tires
What’s that, dear reader? You want to know more about the magnificence of Boeing’s aviation engineering? No worries, we’ve got you covered.
We’ve talked a lot about passenger aircraft, but let’s not forget some of the other heavy movers in the skies. The KC-135 Stratotanker is a magnificent beast, serving in militaries around the world as a mid-flight refueling aircraft. Aerial refueling is a tricky operation, as both flight crews have to communicate and coordinate carefully to line up the flying boom or probe with the appropriate port on the aircraft needing fuel. Once that happens, both aircraft have to maintain the same speed, altitude, and bearing during the entire process, which can take a while. It’s tough, it’s potentially dangerous, and you need both top-notch crew and great aircraft to pull it off.
And the KC-135 more than fits the bill. Powered by four huge CFM turbofan engines and carrying an awe-inspiring 200,000 pounds of fuel, the KC-135 is an exercise in big, tough, military grade aviation. How big? Let’s put it like this: the KC-135’s landing gear has 10 tires, which contain enough rubber to make 200 individual standard sized automobile tires. Changing one of those probably requires a bit more than just a jack and a tire iron, though.