KC-135R - France

The French Air Force operates 14 examples of the C-135 tanker aircraft, 11 C-135FRs and three KC-135Rs. The type is a modified version of the C-135 Stratolifter and is in military service with Chile, France, Singapore, Turkey and the United States, who remain the biggest operator with nearly 400 in service.

The aircraft attending the 2019 Air Tattoo comes from GRV 02.091 based at Istres in Southern France. All are powered by CFM56 engines and are equipped with a centreline flying 'boom' and two wing mounted refuelling pods. The aircraft will be flying in the NATO flypast on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 July.

Photo Credit: Rob Schleiffert ©