Customization of this aircraft tail number is available at no additional charge.
Perfect for award presentations, the office or home, or as a gift for that aviation fan.
Printed on high quality, heavy weight Luster paper using a 12-color pigmented, archival ink system.
Edition Size: Open
Paper Type: Heavy Weight Luster
Ink Type: Lucia EX Archival Pigment
Illustrated by: Eric Lian
Published and printed by: Lian Media
The description on the print states:
Aircraft 63-8012 bearing the nose art “Phantom Fueler” is one of eight Boeing KC-135R Stratotankers assigned to the 940th Air Refueling Wing at Beale Air Force Base, California. The 940th ARW is part of the air reserve component of the United States Air Force and assigned to the Fourth Air Force of the Air Force Reserve Command. unit has a long and distinguished history dating back to 1963. Beginning as a troop carrier unit, the mission transitioned to air transport, military airlift, tactical airlift, air refueling, C2ISR (command, control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) mission, and back to air refueling over the years. Fundamentally, the 940th has been a "flex" organization for the nation and has been willing to do whatever the nation required. The Air Force has recognized the success of the 940th Air Refueling Wing by awarding the unit eleven Outstanding Unit Awards.
The KC-135 is a military aerial refueling aircraft that has provided the core aerial refueling capability for the U.S. military and has excelled in this role for more than 50 years. The aircraft has four CFM56 turbofan engines which power takeoffs at gross weights up to 322,500 pounds (146,300 kg). Nearly all internal fuel can be pumped through the tanker's flying boom, the KC-135's primary fuel transfer method. A special shuttlecock-shaped drogue, attached to and trailing behind the flying boom, may be used to refuel aircraft fitted with probes. A boom operator stationed in the rear of the aircraft controls the boom while lying prone. A cargo deck above the refueling system can hold a mixed load of passengers and cargo. Depending on fuel storage configuration, the KC-135 can carry up to 83,000 pounds (38,000 kg) of cargo.