crusader752's photostream  

Home based USAF 48th FW F-15 Strike Eagle 98-0131/LN drops across the fence as she lands back on at RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk, England
16th February 2012

Resident Stratotanker 57-1493 seen making one of several approaches to 'The Hall'.
This 55 year old bird is one of a dozen or so based there as the mainstay of the USAFE European tanker force, flying missions to maintain the various fighter assets of NATO.
In it's tanker role, fuel is despatched via the 'flying boom' seen here in the stowed position under the tail.
The recipient aircraft is guided in behind and below the Tanker and once in position the Boom operator lying prone in the rear fuselage 'flies' the extended boom with the small 'wings' until it connects with a special valve on the top of the aircraft below. The fuel is then transferred across.

Only the USAF use this system whereas NATO and US Navy/USMC aircraft use the hose and drogue method.

These machines are due to be replaced by a tanker version of the twin engined Boeing 767 currently flown by Italy and Japan whereas the RAF, Australia, Saudi and Germany will all operate various Tanker versions of the Airbus.

Boeing KC-135R 100 ARW "c/s Quid 76" seen on approach to RAF Mildenhall
16th Feb 2012.

Valley Sculptures, Churt, Surrey

HDR

Best viewed on black

Alien sculpture
Valley Sculptures
Churt, Surrey

HDR

Neat Image and Photo shop