What model is KC-10

[PHX767]

Just a minor point of clarification

The KC-10 can burn JP7 fuel when on SR-71 missions. When we started flying those type missions out of KBAD in '83 or '84, one style mission required so much fuel for us to get "there" and back that we had to load fuel in all 3 body tanks (well, Fwd body, center wing, and aft body) to keep the cg in balance. With the cargo/center wing weight restrictions we had to feed out of the center wing during the first part of the flight. It was easier for mx to just pump the whole plane full of the stuff. Then we found out it would eat the seals in the tanks and fuel controls.... and that's how we lost ship #13.

A bit of trivia: The original gross weight was the same as a standard -30, but since it didn't make the range/offload restrictions they fixed it the old USAF way and bumped the MTOGW to 590,000. Unfortunately, Douglas would not guarantee the CG limits at that weight without flight testing it for mega bucks. So we ended up with a really narrow CG range at max weight.

 

[Panel Monkey]

Actually, now the KC-10 can only burn JP-7 for emergency reasons. I wonder if the stuff even exists now, as even NASA has stopped flying the SR.

 

[PHX767]

Thanks, did not know JP-7 was for emergency use only now. When we loaded up the plane with the stuff for a mission and then had to keep the fuel onboard because of a mission delay, it was a matter of when it would start leaking fuel not if.