Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker Tanker Aircraft "North Carolina" USAF "Gemini 200" Series 1/200 Diecast Model Airplane by GeminiJets

Brand new 1/200 scale diecast airplane model of Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker Tanker Aircraft "First in Flight, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina" United States Air Force "Gemini 200" Series die cast model by GeminiJets. Detailed exterior. True-to-scale detail. Comes with a display stand. This model does not have any openings. Manufacturer's original unopened packaging. Made of diecast metal with some plastic parts. Dimensions approximately L-8.25, Wingspan-7.75 inches. Diecast metal and plastic construction for durability and a heavy, realistic feel. HISTORY ASPECTS: USAF KC-135R Stratotanker, tail number 23528, boasts a rich history of service, primarily stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina. This aircraft has played a pivotal role in numerous conflicts and missions, demonstrating its critical importance as an aerial refueling tanker. Originally designated as a replacement for the venerable KC-97 Tanker, the first KC-135 was designed from the Boeing type 367-80. The initial Boeing 367-80 - also known as the Dash 80 - would not only lay the groundwork for the KC-135, but also for the Boeing 707 as well. The KC-135 has seen many iterations over the years, with the first launch order coming from the USAF in 1954. The first KC-135A took to the skies in August 1956 with first deliveries to the USAF having begun in June 1967. All initial KC-135A aircraft were delivered with Pratt & Whitney J-57 Turbo-Jet engines. Although these engines were technologically advanced for their day, they produced lots of smoke, they were very loud, and they burned excessive amounts of fuel. During the 1980's a modernization program entailed replacing the original engines of the KC-135A with Pratt & Whitney JT3D TurboFan engines - military designation: TF-33 - derived from retired Boeing 707 airliners. The newly modified jet was designated the KC-135E and rendered the aircraft more reliable with enhanced performance. This update extended the life of the KC-135 well into the next century. The final engine modification arose with the replacement of the TF-33 engines with high bypass CFM-56 engines, which brought the aircraft up to modern day standards. Designated the KC-135R, this revised aircraft has nearly double the power and capability of the original KC-135A. With the KC-135 and its variants having reached 50+ years of service, the sun has begun to set on the KC-135R, with its replacement, the Boeing KC-46 - which is a derivative of the civilian Boeing 767-200 - having first been delivered to the USAF in January 2019. On February 8, 2020, the 916th ARW of Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina said "Goodbye" to its last Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft. The first KC-135R was delivered to the 916th ARW in October 1995 and operated their fleet for nearly 25 years. The 916th ARW began transitioning to the new Boeing KC-46A Tanker with the delivery of their first aircraft in June 2020. During its extensive service in the United States Air Force, 23528 was involved in several significant conflicts, including the Gulf War, Iraq War, and Afghanistan War. In these operations, this KC-135R played a vital role in extending the operational range and endurance of various U.S. military aircraft, enabling them to carry out missions deep within hostile territories. Its aerial refueling capabilities significantly contributed to the success of these missions and the overall effectiveness of U.S. airpower. Whether you're a military aviation enthusiast, a collector of historical aircraft models, or someone who appreciates the crucial contributions of the KC-135R to U.S. military operations, this 1:200 scale model is a fantastic addition to your collection. It serves as a reminder of the aircraft's service in some of the most significant conflicts of the past decades and its enduring role in aerial refueling. Own a piece of history and celebrate the legacy of this remarkable aircraft.