{"product_id":"jets-vol-26-21-c-97f-stratofreighter","title":"JET's Vol. 26-21: C-97F Stratofreighter","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Stratocruiser\u003c\/strong\u003e and its military counterpart, the \u003cstrong\u003eC-97 Stratofreighter\u003c\/strong\u003e, are rare birds. In over a decade of digging, the only part I've ever unearthed is a wing tip from a unique C-97… found partially buried at one of our favorite boneyards. No leads, no museum, no collection. Just a forgotten piece of USAF aviation history, half in the dirt, waiting for someone to dig it out. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe C-97's story begins with the most famous bomber of the Second World War. In early 1942, months before the B-29 Superfortress had even flown, Boeing was already quietly working on plans for a freighter version of the '29: the Model 367. Engineers retained the B-29's wing, tail, and landing gear, but added a distinctive double-bubble fuselage that created one of the largest cargo aircraft of its era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe Stratofreighter entered service in 1947, powered by four massive 3,500-horsepower Pratt \u0026amp; Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major engines. During the Korean War, the type hauled troops, cargo, and wounded personnel, while specialized variants served as airborne command posts for SAC. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe Stratofreighter, however, is best remembered as a tanker. Boeing transformed it into the KC-97, whose flying boom made it the backbone of SAC's aerial refueling fleet throughout the 1950s. Refueling early jets was tricky work… tanker and receiver often had to descend together in a maneuver known as \"tobogganing\" just to stay above stall speed. Of the nearly 900 built, more than 800 served as tankers before being replaced by the KC-135, though many later returned to transport duty once their refueling gear was removed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJETs Vol. 26-21:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eJETs. Vol 26-21 has been cut from a wing tip found at a boneyard. The wing tip retained its original data plate, stamped C-97F and marked with the serial 51-395 (51-0395), an airframe with an interesting one-of-a-kind service record. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e51-0395 rolled off Boeing's Renton line as a KC-97F tanker. It was later converted to a C-97D staff transport, and finally to a C-97K. 395 was the only F-model airframe ever to be converted to the K. The K-model transports sported a distinctive, white-topped fuselage to keep their VIP passengers cool. The airframe was stored at MASDC and ultimately scrapped in 1969.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe tapped 8380 Laboratories to bring 395 back to life in C-97K livery for this release.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVariants\u003c\/strong\u003e: Riveted and Structured. Riveted JETs feature one or more complete rivets. Structured JETs feature heavy structure and\/or fasteners and repair patches. All JETs come with a free buddy TRAP (keychain) through release weekend (17-19 July). \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eBoth variants are offered with the option to choose your art. See the included Custom Shop pic for examples of each design. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAlso offered are 12 LE (leading edge) cross sections. These are standalone items and come etched with the Sketch artwork. They also come with a TRAP. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe option to add a Unit 1 SHARP is also listed. For more info, visit the SHARPs listing at shopairdrops.com \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/shopairdrops.com\/products\/sharps-unit-1\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere.\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"JET EYES","offers":[{"title":"Riveted","offer_id":45825192034387,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Structured","offer_id":45825192067155,"sku":null,"price":125.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"LE Cross Section","offer_id":45836414910547,"sku":null,"price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Add a SHARP (Unit 1)","offer_id":45836878348371,"sku":null,"price":15.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0619\/1195\/7587\/files\/JETs_main_1.jpg?v=1784307459","url":"https:\/\/jeteyes.com\/products\/jets-vol-26-21-c-97f-stratofreighter","provider":"JET EYES","version":"1.0","type":"link"}