62-4133 RC-135

[darrenvox]

Although there are many different RC 135 paints on the site, this one I've actually stood next to at the 2002 or 2003 London international airshow at CYXU in London Ontario.

I believe that 62-4133 is the same as any other RC-135 but could maybe be quickly changed its 62 number and changed its tail designation to OF or QF I've never known.


tinyurl.com/clt7oop

[raptor6221]

62-4133 is available in the downloads section under RC-135 CFM.

The "62" in the serial number denotes the year the contract was signed to build her, which normally coincides with the year that funding was also allocated as well in the budget. Normally, but not always... USAF serial number rarely get changed.
"OF" is the two letter desiginator for Offut AFB, Nebraska, where this aircraft is based out of. As long as she is based there, it would not change.
These Offut birds are seen all over due to their rather special missions they perform. Special Detechments to far flung bases are the norm for those guys, RAF Mindelhall and Kadena AFB are two that easily come to mind.

Raptor

[Tony Madge - HJG]

Thanks for the information Raptor, I did not know about that.

[garryrussell]

Sometimes refered to as the 'FY' number (Fiscal Year)

Not always displayed in full

C-5A Galaxy 80225 as worn on the tail for example might be quoted in text as as 80225 (FY68) as it's full serial is 68-0225.

[christrott]

The RC-135's are well known for having sported "spurious" serial numbers on the tail during the Cold War. Sadly, it was nothing more than a short delay as other recognizable features would allow the fence check guys (especially in the UK) to find and spread its real ID within a few hours, meaning that even back during the infant days of the internet (where spotters posted to BBS services) everyone knew which airplane was on detachment to the UK no matter what they did.

Also, the TC-135S very rarely flies on operational missions. The aircraft's history is such that the modifications were considered too substantial for conversion yet again (I think it would've been the 7th or 8th modification) so it was decided to make it a training aircraft so crews could maintain their currency without having to fly the very expensive and very rare mission capable aircraft, similar to the use of the TC-18's by NATO to keep their E-3 crews current.

[darrenvox]

Yes but I want it in the j3 or j8d