1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Any KC-135 maintainers?

Discussion in 'Military' started by Tundra234, Apr 8, 2019.

  1. Sep 25, 2020 at 5:59 AM
    #61
    Hartsy8

    Hartsy8 Resident Hockey Guy

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2020
    Member:
    #48946
    Messages:
    516
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Max
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2020 MGM 1794
    I’ve flown in a bunch of them :p wasn’t a maintainer though
     
  2. Sep 25, 2020 at 11:57 AM
    #62
    Piney

    Piney New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2020
    Member:
    #52693
    Messages:
    165
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    South Jersey Pine Barrens
    Vehicle:
    2020 MGM TRD Pro
    I loved the 135 from a maintenance perspective - simple (no bells and whistles), tough as nails, and easy to turn.

    From an operations viewpoint, though, the creature comforts are sorely lacking and it's a tough ride for a long trip. If you're freezing, just move around in a 3 foot circle to find heat. Then, you'll be sweating.

    It's hard to believe that the airframe is almost at 60 years service. Boeing built these jets right the first time.
     
  3. Sep 25, 2020 at 1:08 PM
    #63
    AK 6.7PSD Replacement

    AK 6.7PSD Replacement New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2017
    Member:
    #11686
    Messages:
    202
    Gender:
    Male
    IL, MO, KS, DE, IL, AK, SC...
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5 DoubleCab 4x4
    Waiting for the inevitable “nonner” comment...
     
    Bear and Piney like this.
  4. Sep 25, 2020 at 2:23 PM
    #64
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2018
    Member:
    #22402
    Messages:
    16,058
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    George
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra DC SR5 Barcelona
    Alot of them
    LMAO :rofl:
     
    Piney likes this.
  5. Sep 25, 2020 at 2:37 PM
    #65
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2018
    Member:
    #22402
    Messages:
    16,058
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    George
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra DC SR5 Barcelona
    Alot of them
    Are you an engine guy?
     
  6. Sep 25, 2020 at 3:13 PM
    #66
    Piney

    Piney New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2020
    Member:
    #52693
    Messages:
    165
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    South Jersey Pine Barrens
    Vehicle:
    2020 MGM TRD Pro
    I was avionics, with a strong cross train into crew chief and other specialties. I was left seat qualified for runs and was a genuine crew chief on 141's - 65-0223.

    Some fun times, some much less than fun.
     
  7. Sep 27, 2020 at 7:37 PM
    #67
    Bear

    Bear Fargin' Iceholes

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2016
    Member:
    #4301
    Messages:
    640
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bear
    Custer, SD
    Vehicle:
    2022 GMC Sierra 3500 Dually
    Pulsar Edge V3; MBRP side dump exhaust
    Huh!!

    97-05 here. CC on the line. And UDM for the 99RS before it became the MX squad (again)
     
  8. Jun 20, 2021 at 7:46 AM
    #68
    Unclebuck

    Unclebuck New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2021
    Member:
    #64032
    Messages:
    88
    Vehicle:
    2018 Crewmax SR5 TRD Offroad
    Wasn't a maintainer, but as a boom I truly appreciate the work the maintainers did to keep the aircraft in the air. Seems like a lifetime ago. Stationed at Grissom and Plattsburgh during my active duty days. From Just Cause to Restore Hope and most all operations in between.

    I raise a toast to all the KC-135 aircrews, maintainers and support crews...As well as every other service member or supporter out there!
     
    toyofan87 and Bear like this.
  9. Jul 26, 2021 at 3:17 PM
    #69
    TundraOnDaCoast

    TundraOnDaCoast New Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2017
    Member:
    #7838
    Messages:
    23
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 Midnight Black CrewMax SR5 5.7L Tundra
    I was GAC on KC-135R/T's at Kadena back in 2003-2006! Really enjoyed working on that plane!
     
  10. Jul 26, 2021 at 3:21 PM
    #70
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2018
    Member:
    #22402
    Messages:
    16,058
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    George
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra DC SR5 Barcelona
    Alot of them
    Ha....I was an engine guy from 1992-2015 but I remember how you guys fixed split flap indication....pull the guage out and roll it in your hands to line the needles back up Lol.
     
  11. Jul 26, 2021 at 3:36 PM
    #71
    TundraOnDaCoast

    TundraOnDaCoast New Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2017
    Member:
    #7838
    Messages:
    23
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 Midnight Black CrewMax SR5 5.7L Tundra
    There might be some truth to this that I cannot confirm nor deny. I don't recall engine guys working too much on those shiny giant engines. I recall trying to get fuel cell to change probes all the damn time though.
     
  12. Jul 26, 2021 at 3:39 PM
    #72
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2018
    Member:
    #22402
    Messages:
    16,058
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    George
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra DC SR5 Barcelona
    Alot of them
    Yeah the engines are reliable. Usually a MEC, fuel pump, or bleed valves once in a while. Yep....fuel probes and TIU's are still a thing. I retired in 2015 but I'm a civilian in Engine management now.
     
  13. Jul 27, 2021 at 2:29 PM
    #73
    Nueces

    Nueces New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2020
    Member:
    #55645
    Messages:
    43
    Gender:
    Male
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2002 Tundra SR5 AC
    Left a job as a flight line maintenance officer to go to UPT, and then spent many minutes in contact with KC-135s, sucking gas in F-100s and F-4s. By the time we got F-16s, I think all we saw were KC-10s.
     
    Bear likes this.
  14. Jul 27, 2021 at 3:16 PM
    #74
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2018
    Member:
    #22402
    Messages:
    16,058
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    George
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra DC SR5 Barcelona
    Alot of them
    Ahhh the old F-4. When I went to the sandbox in 1992, I sat at one of the northern bases watching them fly around while I was waiting for a Freedom bird flight back home. They were probably at the tail end of their lifetime at that point. My dad worked those along with the F-105's.
     
  15. Jul 27, 2021 at 5:33 PM
    #75
    Haslefre

    Haslefre New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2019
    Member:
    #25501
    Messages:
    187
    Gender:
    Male
    TN
    Engines spend more time doing the BS 60/120s and APU maintenance than anything. As an Everything Else maintainer, I stayed pretty busy.
     
  16. Jul 27, 2021 at 5:38 PM
    #76
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2018
    Member:
    #22402
    Messages:
    16,058
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    George
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra DC SR5 Barcelona
    Alot of them
    Yep...it never ended either. Every time you turn around one was due. The AOR was famous for that. We had around 11 tails all due one night.
     
  17. Jul 27, 2021 at 8:39 PM
    #77
    Haslefre

    Haslefre New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2019
    Member:
    #25501
    Messages:
    187
    Gender:
    Male
    TN
    When we had 65 tails in the deid in... 08(?) surge I think we were flying 100 lines a day. Those 60s at the time added up quick.
     
    boomsling and Bear like this.
  18. Jul 27, 2021 at 9:09 PM
    #78
    NWPirate

    NWPirate Tesla kool-aid connoisseur

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2019
    Member:
    #40251
    Messages:
    9,112
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Zach
    WA
    Vehicle:
    2017 SR5 TRD CM 2004 TRD Snow Goat
    Much respect to all of you.
    I grew up on base, dad was career AF SMSgt in munitions.
    He was in Desert Storm and ran a bomb dump in Enduring Freedom.

    IYAAYAS!
     
  19. Jul 29, 2021 at 3:29 AM
    #79
    Bear

    Bear Fargin' Iceholes

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2016
    Member:
    #4301
    Messages:
    640
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bear
    Custer, SD
    Vehicle:
    2022 GMC Sierra 3500 Dually
    Pulsar Edge V3; MBRP side dump exhaust
    I was one of your pilots that year for sure. Hahaha
     
  20. Jul 29, 2021 at 3:59 AM
    #80
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2018
    Member:
    #22402
    Messages:
    16,058
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    George
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra DC SR5 Barcelona
    Alot of them
    Where were you out of?
     
  21. Jul 29, 2021 at 4:25 AM
    #81
    Bear

    Bear Fargin' Iceholes

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2016
    Member:
    #4301
    Messages:
    640
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bear
    Custer, SD
    Vehicle:
    2022 GMC Sierra 3500 Dually
    Pulsar Edge V3; MBRP side dump exhaust
    Back then, Fairchild.
     
  22. Jul 29, 2021 at 4:37 AM
    #82
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2018
    Member:
    #22402
    Messages:
    16,058
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    George
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra DC SR5 Barcelona
    Alot of them
    Nice. Did you know a Dan O'Connor? He would have been a Maj at that time.
     
  23. Jul 30, 2021 at 12:41 PM
    #83
    Haslefre

    Haslefre New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2019
    Member:
    #25501
    Messages:
    187
    Gender:
    Male
    TN
    Fairchild Freestyle!
     
    Bear[QUOTED] and NWPirate like this.
  24. Jul 30, 2021 at 2:13 PM
    #84
    NWPirate

    NWPirate Tesla kool-aid connoisseur

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2019
    Member:
    #40251
    Messages:
    9,112
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Zach
    WA
    Vehicle:
    2017 SR5 TRD CM 2004 TRD Snow Goat
    Born and raised on Fairchild
     
  25. Jul 30, 2021 at 3:13 PM
    #85
    Half track

    Half track New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2019
    Member:
    #40506
    Messages:
    134
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rob
    Western Nevada
    Vehicle:
    2020 Silver Tundra SR5 TRD, 38 gal tank
    Tow Mirrors
    Flow out of Ramstein AB in Germany to Mather AFB CA, with 3 pallets full of boozes and 50 Airman. From what I remember, it took a little over 14 hrs and flew 5,800 mile nonstop. Now that's a Plane. That Kc-135 was 30 years old at that time. Shows how good the AF mechanics where. And yes it was a cold trip.
     
    Bear likes this.
  26. Jul 30, 2021 at 5:13 PM
    #86
    Bear

    Bear Fargin' Iceholes

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2016
    Member:
    #4301
    Messages:
    640
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bear
    Custer, SD
    Vehicle:
    2022 GMC Sierra 3500 Dually
    Pulsar Edge V3; MBRP side dump exhaust
    Only 30 years old?!? Hahaha. They were pushing 50 and then some when I was running that sleek machine all over the damn planet. Lol
     
  27. Jan 1, 2022 at 11:32 PM
    #87
    boomsling

    boomsling New Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2021
    Member:
    #63519
    Messages:
    26
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    ‘18 Barcelona Red 5.7 Double Cab 4x4
    Magnuson
    Hydro Commando. Robins 97-08. Grand Forks 08-10. Dyess 10-17 on 130’s. I missed the tankers. N.K.A.W.T.G…N!
     
  28. Jan 2, 2022 at 2:49 AM
    #88
    MT Madman

    MT Madman Just an ordinary guy

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2014
    Member:
    #148
    Messages:
    634
    Gender:
    Male
    Hawk Point MO
    Vehicle:
    2020 Silver Platinum
    TRD dual exhaust TRD Rear Sway Bar SnugTop Hi-Liner
    I feel old now, retired in '95! I was dirt radio and we had KC135A I think and they were water burners at the first SAC base I was stationed, when they fired up you might as well forget about watching TV on the base because you couldn't turn up the volume enough. Next time I was around the KC135 they been retro'd to the R model I think and noise level was like night and day.

    First TAC base I was at the F4 was the primary but the next time they had F15s, unfortunately I saw 15 go down...something I'll never forget.
     
  29. Jan 2, 2022 at 6:35 AM
    #89
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2018
    Member:
    #22402
    Messages:
    16,058
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    George
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra DC SR5 Barcelona
    Alot of them
    Holy crap....I knew a few of the Robin's guys from that time frame. Met them in the AOR and Diego Garcia.
     
    Haslefre and boomsling[QUOTED] like this.
  30. Jan 2, 2022 at 6:38 AM
    #90
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2018
    Member:
    #22402
    Messages:
    16,058
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    George
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra DC SR5 Barcelona
    Alot of them
    Ahhhh yes, the J-57's that got its water from the center wing tank. I came in Oct 1991 and there were still plenty of A model and E models around as well as F-4's. The C141 was still flying too.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top