The C/KC-97 series was a transport and definitive early tanker aircraft that had its design origin in the B-29. Boeing engineers essentially stacked one fuselage on top of another in a "double bubble" arrangement and used the same wings, engines, and tails as the Superfortress. Shortly after it made its first flight, a C-97 was flown nonstop from Seattle, Wash., to Washington, D. C., in six hours, four minutes at an average speed of 383 mph, while carrying a payload of 10 tons. Only 74 cargo variants were built, while 816 were KC-97 tankers. In its cargo version, early models were used extensively to bring Korean War casualties back to the US west coast from Japan. The later C-97s used an overhead rail cargo delivery system. Several aircraft were modified to a straight passenger configuration and were designated VC-97. Many other aircraft were modified for specialized roles, such as electronic reconnaissance. A small number of KC-97s were sold to Israel. Starting in 1956, Air Force KC-97s were gradually replaced by KC-135 jet tankers. Later in their career, KC-97s had two jet engines added so that the type could match speeds with the jet fighters and bombers they were refueling. Even so, most of the time the tankers had to enter a shallow dive to keep up. Eighteen Air National Guard squadrons were eventually equipped with KC-97s, and the last were retired in 1977.
| Contractors: | Boeing Aircraft Co. |
| Locations Built: | Renton, Wash. |
| Number Built: (USAF) | 945, incl commercial models (890) |
| First Flight: | November 9, 1944 |
| First Flight Model: | XC-97 |
| First Flight Location: | Seattle, Wash. |
| First Flight Pilot: | Unconfirmed but likely Elliott Merrill (pilot) and John Fornasero |
| Models/Variants: | YC-97, C-97A, C, D, G, K. KC-97E, F, G, L. HC-97G |
| Powerplant: | Four Pratt & Whitney R-4360-59B Wasp Major 28-cylinder, four-row radials of 3,500 hp each (Two additional General Electric J47 turbojets of 5,970 lb thrust each on KC-97L) |
| Wingspan: | 141 ft 3 in. |
| Length: | 117 ft 5 in. |
| Height: | 38 ft 3 in. |
| Weight: | 175,000 lb gross |
| Armament: | None |
| Accommodation: | Crew of five (pilot, copilot, flight engineer, navigator/radio operator, and boom operator). As a transport: no boom operator and 134 troops or 69 litters or 25,500 lb of cargo |
| Cost: | $2.21 million |
| Max. Speed: | 375 mph |
| Range: | 4,300 mi. |
| Ceiling: | 30,000 ft. |
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