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How to build all C-135 variants in all scales

WC-135B
RAF Mildenhall, UK

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61-2665  Photo 1 Photo 2

EC-135L
1703rd AREFW(P), King Khalid IAP, Saudi Arabia

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61-0269Excaliber Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5
Photo 6
61-0283Varmint Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4
Served as a radio relay post due to UHF limitations.
Plane 61-0269 bears the mission marks earned supporting combat operations during Desert Storm including two MiG-29s, 27 mobile launchers and more than 100 tanks. Had J57-P/F-59WP engines.

EC-135Y/N
912th AREFS, 19th AREFW, Robins AFB - 1700th AREFS (P), Riyad AB, Saudi Arabia

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55-3125 EC-135Y, till 03/1991
(scheduled depot maintenance)		 
61-0327 EC-135N, from 03/1991Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3
Served as an airborne command post for the commander of CENTCOM. Both had Inflight Refuelling Receptacle. The two EC-135 aircraft flew 116 sorties for a total of over 550 flight hours in support of Desert Shield and Storm.

RC-135V
55th RW, Offut AFB, USA - 1700th RS(P), Riyadh AB, Saudi Arabia

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63-9792 Shield - 30 missions
Storm - 23 missions
*		Photo 1 Photo 2
early/later marking ? -> Photo 1 Photo 2
64-14841 Shield - 40 missions
Storm - 41 missions		Photo 1 Photo 2
64-14842  Photo 1
64-14843  Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4
64-14844Ghost Rider Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4
64-14845 Shield - 12 missions
Storm - 16 missions		Photo 1 Photo 2 03/1991 Photo 3 Photo 4
64-14846Candle in the windShield - 27 missions
Storm - 10 missions
small damage from SCUD 25/01/1991 when piloted by
Robert S. Hopkins III		Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5
Photo 6 Photo 7 Photo 8
64-14848  Photo 1
* Unofficially 63-9792 is known among those who fly and maintain it as "Damien", for its "unnatural" maintenance problems that recur but cannot be duplicated and repaired, or even identified.

RC-135W
55th RW, Offut AFB, USA - 1700th RS(P), Riyadh AB, Saudi Arabia

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62-4131 Shield - 16 missions
Storm - 23 missions		Photo 1
62-4132  Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3
62-4134  Photo 1
62-4135 Shield - 57 missions
Storm - 30 missions		Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3
62-4138   
62-4139  Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3

KC-135E
55th RW, Offut AFB, USA - 1700th RS(P), Riyadh AB, Saudská Arábie

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59-1514 C1Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4

Comment:

According to one source, there were 10 of the 15 Rivet Joints in the USAF fleet
(probably not all from Offutt, although Offutt has the biggest fleet of the jets) deployed with one still stateside and two in the depot facility.
It is possible that the one which was still stateside also might have served in Gulf during an aircraft/aircrew swap.
At least one Rivet Joint has been deployed to Southwest Asia since 11/08/1990 (when Iraq invaded Kuwait),
so since that time, every Rivet Joint in the fleet has rotated into that region.
They were based at Riyad IAP in Saudi Arabia.
Atleast two Rivet Joints were stationed at Hellenikon AB in Greece in support of Operation "Proven Force" over Turkey.
Planes had mission markings on the left cheek - black for Desert Shield, red for Desert Storm.

Comment:

KC-135E 59-1514 was a support ship for 55th RW and was in same camo as RC-135V/W

KC-135A
various units

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55-3130Ole GrandadBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5
56-3591The GremlinBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1 Photo 2/td>
56-3625Boss HogBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1 Photo 2 Photo 3
56-3632SkreemerBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1
56-3633Stone Age Mutant Ninja TankerADC grey camoPhoto 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5
Photo 6 Photo 7
56-3637 Baby Shamu camoPhoto 1 Photo 2
56-3639Jokers WildBaby Shamu camo 
56-3656Crime StopperBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1
57-1476 ADC grey camoPhoto 1 Photo 2
57-1477 Baby Shamu camoPhoto 1 Photo 2 Photo 3
57-2596America´s PrideBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1
57-2601The Wizard  
57-2605 (to R 26/02/91) 
58-0042Magical Mystery RideADC grey camoPhoto 1 Photo 2
58-0066Superman IIBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1
58-0113JesterBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1 Photo 2
59-1468 Baby Shamu camoPhoto 1
59-1496CadillacBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1 Photo 2 Photo 3
59-1501Radcool RefuelBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1
59-1502Lone StarBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1
59-1507 Baby Shamu camoPhoto 1
59-1522 Baby Shamu camoPhoto 1
60-0350Young Rider  
60-0358Sawyer´s Snowball ExpressBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1 Photo 2 Photo 3
61-0280RazorbackADC grey camoPhoto 1
61-0325Texas StyleBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5
62-3498Arkansas Eagle  
62-3538Valhalla ExpressADC grey camoPhoto 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5
Photo 6 Photo 7 Photo 8
63-8014 Baby Shamu camoPhoto 1 Photo 2 Photo 3
63-8018 Baby Shamu camo 
63-8019Rolling ThunderADC grey camoPhoto 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5
63-8874Southern BreezeBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1 Photo 2
63-8881Jenny On TapADC grey camoPhoto 1
63-8885Mistress of the NightBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1
64-14840Long Distance RunaroundBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1 Photo 2
??-????PegasusADC grey camoPhoto 1

KC-135E
various units

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55-3143Hot StuffADC grey camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3
56-3604 Baby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1
56-3607Back OffBaby Shamu camo, 9 missions, C2Photo 1
56-3609DollyADC grey camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5
56-3631LEAP-N-LIZARDBaby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1
56-3638Hawg WildBaby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5
Photo 6 Photo 7
56-3641KI-O´-TE-ES GAS-E-ESBaby Shamu camo, C1Photo 1 Photo 2
56-3643High Octane Taz/
Miss High Octane Taz		Baby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3
57-1422Redneck RockerBaby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1 1993 Photo 2
57-1425FirebirdBaby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4
57-1428Mission EssentialBaby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2
57-1433 Baby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1
57-1436NEW HAMP-SHIRE HOG
We aint yah avarage pig!!		Baby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3
57-1445 Baby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2
57-1448Arctic TravellerBaby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5
Photo 6 Photo 7 Photo 8 Photo 9
57-1455Iron MaidenBaby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1
57-1458 Baby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1
57-1460TAZZBaby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3
57-1465Spirit of the Northern Lights
Frosty Fiddler		Baby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3
57-1482 Baby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3
57-1484Phoenix PhantacyBaby Shamu camo, C1Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4
57-1495Blackbird we deliverBaby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3
57-1496Wild ThangBaby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3
57-1503Smooth Duty - OPEN 24 HRSBaby Shamu camo, C1Photo 1
57-1505Welcome HomeBaby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3
57-1512Kukai MaruBaby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2
57-2594 Baby Shamu camo, C1Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5
57-2595Keystone LadyBaby Shamu camo, C1Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5
Photo 6 Photo 7 Photo 8 Photo 9 Photo 10
Photo 11
57-2598 Baby Shamu camo, C1Photo 1 1990 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4
57-2603 Baby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5
57-2608Fuelin´ AroundC1 
58-0003 Baby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2
58-0005Ol LightnenBaby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4
58-0008 ADC grey camo, C1Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4
58-0012 Baby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3
58-0013Flight of the PhoenixBaby Shamu camo, C2
lost two engines, see story **		Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5
Photo 6 Photo 7 Photo 8 Photo 9 Photo 10
Photo 11
58-0017 Baby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5
Photo 6 Photo 7 Photo 8 Photo 9 Photo 10
58-0037 Baby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1
58-0052The Other WomanBaby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5
Photo 6 Photo 7 1990 Photo 8
58-0057 Baby Shamu camo, C1Photo 1
58-0064 Baby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4
58-0068 ADC grey camo, C1Photo 1
58-0078Aces HighBaby Shamu camo, C1Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5
Photo 6 Photo 7
58-0085California DreaminBaby Shamu camo, C1Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5
Photo 6 Photo 7 Photo 8
58-0087Jersey GirlBaby Shamu camo, C1Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3
58-0096 Baby Shamu camo, C1Photo 1 Photo 2
58-0116 Baby Shamu camo, C1Photo 1 Photo 2
59-1447 Baby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2
59-1448Fritzies FrauleinBaby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4
59-1451 Baby Shamu camo, C1
434th ARW, Grissom AFB		 
59-1484 Baby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1
59-1485Classic HogBaby Shamu camo, C1Photo 1
59-1487 Baby Shamu camo, C1Photo 1 Photo 2
59-1493 C2 
59-1499POW*MIABaby Shamu camo, C2Photo 1 Photo 2
19/03/1991 without nose art Photo 3
59-1505 Baby Shamu camo, C1Photo 1
59-1506Pittsburgh´s FinestBaby Shamu camo, C1, 65 missionsPhoto 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5
Photo 6 Photo 7 Photo 8 Photo 9 Photo 10
59-1516Sweet SixteenBaby Shamu camo, C1Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4
61-0271 ADC grey camo, C2Photo 1
Possible engine pylons configuration from head-on view, check pictures of specific airframe:
C1 - NH-H-H-NH
C2 - NH-H-H-H

KC-135Q
9th SRW
08/1990-01/1991 - 1700th AREFS(P), 1700th AREFW(P), Riyad AB, Saudi Arabia
01/1991-end of war - 1709th AREFS (P), 1709th AREFW(P), King Abdul Aziz IAP, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

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58-0045 Baby Shamu camo, *© J. Smith Photo 1 Photo 2
58-0049True ColorsBaby Shamu camo, *Photo 1 Photo 2
58-0050Spook 50Baby Shamu camo, *© J. Smith Photo 1 Photo 2
58-0054Bad BartADC grey camoPhoto 1
58-0061Swamp WitchADC grey camo, *Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3
58-0074Jessica RabbitBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1 Photo 2
58-0084City of Grass ValleyBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1 1993 > Photo 2
58-0103 Baby Shamu camoPhoto 1
58-0112StegosaurusBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1
59-1470 Baby Shamu camo, * 
59-1504Santa with camelsBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1 Photo 2
60-0337 Baby Shamu camoPhoto 1
60-0339 Baby Shamu camoPhoto 1
* means "partial" Q conversion - it lacks ARN-90 TACAN and it did not have LORAN-A installed.
Also, it may have the third UHF radio removed or a VHF radio installed in place of second UHF radio

KC-135R
various units

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57-1439 ADC grey camoPhoto 1
57-1469CenturionBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5
Photo 6
57-1472 Baby Shamu camoPhoto 1
58-0009 ADC grey camoPhoto 1 Photo 2 Photo 3
58-0010Pumpin´ Ethyl!>Baby Shamu camo 
58-0059   
58-0073Mohawk MaidenBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1
58-0093Arctic CatBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1
59-146XDrag-OnBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1
59-1469CenturionBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1
59-1472 ADC grey camoPhoto 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4
60-0315 Baby Shamu camoPhoto 1
60-0341QuanahparkerBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5
Photo 6
60-0353 ADC grey camoPhoto 1
60-0365 Baby Shamu camoPhoto 1
60-0367 Baby Shamu camoPhoto 1
61-0277 Baby Shamu camoPhoto 1
61-0302 ADC grey camoPhoto 1
61-0323 Baby Shamu camoPhoto 1
62-3513 ADC grey camoPhoto 1 Photo 2
62-3530 Baby Shamu camoPhoto 1
62-3531Lone Wolf  
62-3553 Baby Shamu camoPhoto 1
62-3554Cherokee RoseBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1 Photo 2 Photo 3
62-3557   
62-3561ThunderhawkADC grey camoPhoto 1
62-3564Serious BiznessADC grey camo 
62-3569Sky RunnerBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1 Photo 2
62-3571 ADC grey camoPhoto 1
63-7984 Baby Shamu camoPhoto 1
63-7985 ADC grey camo 
63-8036Hot CargoBaby Shamu camoPhoto 1 Photo 2
63-8037 Baby Shamu camoPhoto 1


** Kevin Sweeney

We were scheduled to do a double turn on night combat missions in Desert Storm with the first take off time at dusk, 22/02/1991 17:24 local time. All was going as planned on the KC-135E aircraft with me as Captain and my 3 crew members. As we were flying up to the scheduled refueling area we hit a little turbulence which was no cause for concern. But a split second later our aircraft went from a smooth, stable flight to totally out of control. The nose of the airplane gyrated from 15 degrees nose up to 15 degrees nose down. We were violently rolling wing tip to wing tip in a Dutch roll, which is a vicious unplanned rocking maneuver rolling wing tip to wing tip at over 90 degrees of bank with roll rates in excess of 85 degrees per second. We were dropping out of the sky like a rock – a heavy rock, we were crashing! We were in severe oscillations and rolls and I remember thinking, “I can’t let this airplane roll inverted since the airplane might be unrecoverable if we roll inverted.” The maximum roll rate for a KC-135E airplane is 45 degrees per second and we were exceeding that by at least a factor of two. I remembered my emergency procedures simulator training – I grabbed the speed lever brake and pulled it full up. It worked!! As we were beginning to regain control of the aircraft the fire warning lights lit up in the cockpit for both engines on the left wing. I could feel in the stick she was too heavy to fly. I lowered the nose over to try and gain airspeed while at the same time asking the other pilot to begin dumping fuel. I used the interphone to ask Steve Stucky, the boom operator, to scan the left wings to see how bad the fires were. Very quickly he radios back 6 words I will never forget, “They aren’t on fire, they’re gone!” Our 4-engine aircraft was reduced to 2 engines. We were at maximum weight, barely under control, over hostile territory, at night, and two engines were gone…. “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday,” my navigator began to squawk electronically on the transponder. One of my crewmembers soon asked me, “Are we were going to have to bail out?” To which I responded to the most important question of my life, ‘No stick with me, we’ll be fine.’ After a harrowing hour and fifteen minute flight back to the nearest acceptable landing field we started to get into position to make a landing attempt. One of the primary requirements was to get the landing gear down and because of our lack of hydraulic pressure the landing gear would have to be lowered manually. I asked my boom operator, Steve Stucky, how long it would take to manually lower the landing gear which was his job. Steve said, “7 minutes.” I said, ‘Steve we don’t have 7 minutes, we only have 3 or 4 minutes, can you do it?’ My hero, Steve Stucky, said, “Yes Sir, I will get them down,” and Steve got them down. Impeccable execution under such extreme circumstances enabled our crew to land the mortally injured aircraft. It is a compelling story illustrating how you and your team can overcome any obstacle. Then came the best thing I ever accomplished in my Air Force career. Upon a successful landing the Air Force wanted to award the three officer members of the aircrew the renowned Distinguished Flying Cross and to the boom operator, the non-officer, Steve Stucky, an Air Medal – a wonderful medal, but not the legendary Distinguished Flying Cross. In unison, without hesitation, and unbeknownst to the lowest ranking member of the aircrew, the three officers refused the Distinguished Flying Cross. We put together a 35 page document and personally met with a four star General. It took a year, but on the same day, on the same stage, and at the same time all four members of the team, the aircrew received the medal they earned and deserved, the United States Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross.