In
1942, Boeing began a design study to produce a transport version of
the B-29 Superfortress. The USAAF
expressed interest and Boeing began work on the Model 367,
designated the XC-97 by the USAAF. The XC-97 first flew
on 15 November 1944. The transport version could carry 134
troops or a 53,000 lb payload.
In-flight refueling trials were
conducted using a modified C-97 with production of KC-97E
purpose-built refueling aircraft beginning in 1951.
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The KC-97L had a General Electric J47-GE-23
turbojet added beneath each wing to increase takeoff weight and
improve rendezvous capability with jet aircraft. Time to climb
was also improved significantly.
Production of the KC-97 ended in 1956 with
close to 900 being built. Several KC-97s were used to convert to
different variants of the Pregnant Guppy.
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