Boeing 707 tanker transport
Boeing 707 End of an Era Function
http://www.raaf.gov.au/b707farewell/With 29 years of service to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), it will be with a sense of sadness that we welcome you aboard for a first-class function to celebrate the ‘End of an Era’ in Australia for the Queen of the skies herself - the mighty Boeing 707.
Five Royal Australian Air Force Boeing 707 jets are used for air-to-air refuelling and transport. The 707s are operated by No 33 Squadron from RAAF Base Richmond, near Sydney.
The 707 can be configured in different ways to allow the best mix of passenger and cargo space for a mission.
A 707 tanker can carry up to 43 tonnes of fuel – for comparison, a Hornet's internal fuel capacity is only 5 tonnes. The 707s regularly deploy entire Hornet squadrons to Singapore and Malaysia to take part in regional exercises. The wingtip refuelling pods are removable to reduce weight and drag and increase range on non-tanker missions.
As a transport aircraft, the 707 can seat up to 152 passengers or carry 60 tonnes of cargo. In its former role as a VIP transport, dignitaries including Queen Elizabeth II and Pope John Paul II travelled on Air Force 707s.
From 2009, the 707s will be progressively replaced by new KC-30B Multi-Role Tanker Transports, specially-modified Airbus A-330s.
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| Manufacturer | Boeing |
|---|---|
| Role | Air-to-air refuelling, passenger and cargo transport |
| Crew | Two pilots, flight engineer, loadmaster, navigator (for air-to-air refuelling role) and up to six crew attendants (when carrying passengers) |
| Engine | Four Pratt and Whitney JT3B turbofans (8,172kg thrust each) |
| Airframe | Length: 46.5m, height: 12.9m |
| Wingspan | 44.5m |
| Weight | 152,000kg |
| Speed | 890 km/h |
| Range | Over 7,400km |
| Ceiling | 42,000 feet |
| Accommodation | Up to 152 passengers |