This is one of the so-called “short tail” tankers, a feature found on the earliest 135’s. Photo taken at Walker AFB, NM. Although closed decades ago, Walker is used for many aviation activities (the now former Reno Air Races will soon be one of them). The massive SAC hangar in the background is still in use today.

She started life as a tanker, but was eventually modified to a straight trash-hauler.  When this photo was taken at Boeing Field, the plane was part of the 126th Air Refueling Group.  Aircraft was scrapped in 1964.

This hand-tinted YC-97 belongs to the 1st Strategic Support Squadron at Biggs AFB.  The 1st Strategic Support Squadron had the interesting mission of hauling atomic bombs from point A to point B.  The squadron’s mission was not dropping the bombs, but transporting them.

Dubbed “The City of Sacramento”, this B-52F (57-0163) arrived to great fanfare to become part of Mather’s 4134th Strategic Wing. The original post was supplemented by the later contribution of the photo seen at the top. Such contributions from readers are always welcome.

(Photo #1, courtesy of Max Pashnev, Jim Webb Collection)

Seen here with it’s .50 cal guns getting a look over, 687 was the last B-52D to fly when it arrived in 1984 for permanent display at Orlando Airport (AKA former SAC base, McCoy AFB.)

B-50’s of the late 1940’s & early 1950’s.  First up is B-50 (46-044) of the 43rd Bomb Wing on final to its home at Davis-Monthan AFB.  On the nose is the group’s motto “Kensmen.”  47-0161 is up next.  Last, 49-337 of the 509th Bomb Wing.

The pilot, Peter J. Frederick, was credited with shooting down two MiG-15’s. (The kills are painted below the canopy)  Frederick later flew F-105’s in Vietnam with the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing.  Sadly, he was shot down on March 15 1967.  His remains were recovered in 2004.  The second photo is from the yearbook of the 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing.  RIP

Upon closer examination, an XGAM-63 Rascal missile is seen attached to the right wing. This means that this Stratojet is one of two B-47s modified for testing said weapon, the Air Force’s first nuclear-armed standoff missile. Such a device came at a premium: at 2.2 million dollars, the Rascal cost more than its B-47 mothership.

SAC often sent aircraft and crews to civilian airports in order to disperse the bomber force. This B-47E (53-2143) of the 307th Bomb Wing, Lincoln AFB, is seen at Chicago O’Hare airport in 1960.

F-102 pilots pose in front of the alert facility at Ramstein Air Base in 1961. The aircraft, 56-1217, crashed in 1969.

P-80 44-85123 has had a long career.  Used to set several world speed records in the 1940’s, it is preserved today at Edwards AFB.

A pair of P-80’s of the 56th Fighter Group.  45-8320 is from the 61st Fighter Squadron, Jet.  44-85464 is from the 62nd Fighter Squadron, Jet.  It wears the kill markings of Group CO, Dave Schilling.

(“Fighter Squadron, Jet” – Yep, that was its actual name)

69-7234, lately of Spangdahlem Air Base’s 480th TFS, is seen here at Shaikh Isa Air Base, Bahrain during the Gulf War of 1991.  While assigned there, the aircraft was part of the 3552nd Tactical Fighter Squadron.  Interestingly, 234 was the only aircraft at that base that still retained the old green & gray “European 1” paint scheme.

(45-8333) of the 63rd Fighter Interceptor Squadron, P-80 (44-85275) of the 61st FIS, and 45-8335 of the 335th Fighter Squadron, Jet Propelled.

432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Shaw AFB.  This aircraft, 52-1444, was later reassigned to Shaw’s 363rd TRW, but crashed in 1958.

Pennsylvania Air Guard, out for a drive.

A couple of Martin bombers that failed to enjoy a long life.  #1, the XB-48 was no match for Boeing’s B-47, and #2, the XB-51 fared no better in its efforts to be the USAF’s premier tactical bomber.

The arrowhead insignia is that of the “San Antonio Air Material Area”.