Gator52 Posted October 29, 2022 Share Posted October 29, 2022 (edited) This model represents KC-135R 60-0331 during the 1993-1995 timeframe when the KC-135 Formal Training Unit was in the process of transitioning from a SAC unit at Castle AFB to an AETC mission at Altus AFB. The 93d Bomb Wing, long the home of B-52 (328 BS) and KC-135 (93 ARS) initial aircrew training at Castle AFB, was reassigned to Air Combat Command in June of 1992, taking the B-52Gs with it until their retirement in 1994, and the Wing was subsequently inactivated in 1995 when Castle closed down. Meanwhile, as part of the broader tanker and airlift consolidation under Air Mobility Command, the 93d Air Refueling Squadron was reassigned from SAC to AMC in June 1992, under the oversight of AMC's 398th Operations Group, a geographically separated unit of the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus. The "Triangle W" nose art is a reference to the WWII tail markings of the 398th Bomb Group, ancestor of the 398 OG. The 97th, 398th, & 93d were collectively reassigned from AMC to AETC in July 1993 pursuant to AETC gaining the KC-135 aircrew training mission. When the KC-135 training mission was fully established at Altus with the 55 ARS, the 93 ARS was reassigned to Fairchild in 1995 as an operational refueling squadron, where it still serves today. Model is marked with a mix of decals from Caracal #144004, the spares box, and some custom ALPS elements. This is my fourth Minicraft KC-135, but first R model. These Minicraft -135s need a lot of nose weight! Chris Edited October 30, 2022 by Gator52 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bluedot25 Posted October 30, 2022 Share Posted October 30, 2022 Nice Chris..!!! I love a -135 in the Shamu scheme...! Well done...! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geoff M Posted October 30, 2022 Share Posted October 30, 2022 Great job on that kit. I was at Castle in the 90-94 range (My wife was stationed there). We left just before it closed up. I really enjoyed our time there. Geoff M Quote Link to post Share on other sites
aircommando130 Posted October 30, 2022 Share Posted October 30, 2022 When I was at Altus (1980-1989) with the 443rd Military Airlift Wing in the C-5A the SAC 135 squadron was still flying the old A model "steam jet" tankers. They were painted in that silver grey overall paint with the SAC sash around the fuselage. When they would have an alert launch just follow the black smoke into the sky! And loud! The good old days of the US Air Force! Great job on that quiet R model. Cheers...Ron Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AD-4N Posted October 30, 2022 Share Posted October 30, 2022 Love the subtle repaint of old markings and the Shamu scheme. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kurnass77 Posted October 31, 2022 Share Posted October 31, 2022 Look great! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gator52 Posted October 31, 2022 Author Share Posted October 31, 2022 On 10/30/2022 at 1:40 PM, AD-4N said: Love the subtle repaint of old markings and the Shamu scheme. Good eye, that was something apparent in the photos and I wanted to try to replicate where the SAC-era markings had been overpainted. Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted November 4, 2022 Share Posted November 4, 2022 Chris, Very nice work on this KC-135R. You chose a unique time frame during the transition between SAC/AMC/AETC. I love the noseart and the eye for detail in the oversprayed SAC markings, as well as the blend of SAC tailband, with AMC/AETC markings. Keep 'em coming! K/r, Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
You-Two Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 Nice job! As a high school senior in Feb ‘95 my AFJROTC group had the opportunity to go for a ride in a Castle AFB KC-135. We flew up to Oregon and refueled some ANG F-16s. I remember being told we were the last group to get an incentive ride like that before the base closed, but I really don’t know if that’s true or not. Beau Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jonwinn Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 Nice! Like the dark gray "Shamu" paint. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.