Boeing NC-135
The Boeing C-135 family was developed from the same basic jet transport as the KC-135 tanker and became a remarkably adaptable military platform. Variants have served as command posts, weather reconnaissance aircraft, VIP transports, intelligence collectors, and flying laboratories. The catalogue’s C135 designation therefore covers a lineage rather than one passenger aircraft. Its narrow fuselage and four turbojets reflect the first generation of long-range jet transports, yet some examples still support specialised missions today.
Did you know?
The C-135's swept wings and four underslung engines echo the Boeing 707's, since both trace back to the same Boeing 367-80 prototype.
Specifications
| Length | 41.5 m (136 ft) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 39.9 m (131 ft) |
| Height | 12.7 m (42 ft) |
| Persons on board | 4 |
| Crew | 4 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 144 t |
| Range | 3,400 NM (6,297 km) |
| Maximum speed | 580 kt (1,074 km/h) |
| Service ceiling | 50,000 ft (15,240 m) |
| Optimum ceiling | 33,000 ft (10,058 m) |
| Rate of climb | 4,900 ft/min (24.9 m/s) |
| Take-off distance | 1,829 m (6,001 ft) |
| Landing distance | 1,890 m (6,201 ft) |
| Fuel capacity | 71,200 l |
| Engines | 4x Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-9 |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
In CatchFlights
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