Dates

Event

Constructed as a KC-135A-BN.

22 April 1957

Aircraft rolled out of factory.

3 June 1957

First flight.

27 June 1957

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 55-3128.

28 June 1957

To 93rd Air Refueling Squadron, Castle AFB, CA.

By 1958

Transferred to Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.
Operated with markings: ASD

By 1958

Converted to a JKC-135A.

From 1958 to Circa 1963

Conducted ECM tests. External modifications included removing air refueling boom and reshaping boom pod., adding several small radomes along the fuselage spine, and attaching a small pod protruding from the right forward fuselage. Most of the fuel cells were removed to make rom for the ECM test equipment. This airplane is the only KC-135 of any variant to be configured with armament. In this unique role, 55-3128 had a pod carrying unguided rockets mounted beneath each wingtip. The actual mission with these weapons remains undisclosed. (Hopkins).

1964

Converted to a NKC-135A.

1964

Transferred to Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, CA.

1964

Converted for water spray/aerial icing tests. Structural modifications included the installation of a water spray system designed to spray the 4,000 gallons (15,141 litres) of water carried in the fuselage fuel tanks though a spray ring or bar attached to the end of the extended air refueling boom. (Hopkins).

1983

Water spray system was upgraded, improving its ability to simulate a natural cloud versus simple water spray.

By 1986

To 4950th Test Wing, Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.

1 December 1989

Photographer: allan clegg

3 February 1992

Photographer: Dan Stijovich
Notes: RICK 24 on a low approach to runway 17 at George AFB

20 May 1996

Transferred to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC) with inventory number CA0106.