AMT on the RC- 135 Rivet Joint Block III - 6990th Kadena. Second oak leaf in 1985. Amazing book Robert. Just wonderful. The introduction is mind blowing - 1902 the Wright Bothers and then just 50 years latter the 135 is born. Never appreciated that or the early development work. Stories of the 707 and the KC-135 as the bet the company contract for Boeing were always in the lore, great to see you pull the information together. Back then, we had many great aircraft manufacturing companies, so I guess you had to be bold, like Boeing to win at the table and survive.
As I recall, I was the AMT own your dogger flight returning to Kadena, in the rain, with no instruments, as I recall us crew dogs were rather upset (to put it mildly) that we did not divert to Clark, as that was the inital thought for the mission return.
Hopefully, you have one more update to this book in your heart, as you missed left out the entire KAL-007 story of the Shemya flight and us getting briefed at Kadena for the next RC to be on station - with a new mission to find that black box - and the President awoken - but "We don't know what he will say - but it will be Volcanic!" The famous RR "evil empire" search. Anyways all de-classed now with the publication of: "The Target is Destroyed." Good book BTW with an interesting perspective on the Soviet thinking of those RC-135 intercepts. We survived and the Soviets enjoyed some playboy centerfolds. But after reading that book - man, those guys were as ready to follow order as we were.
Appreciated your views on 'hostile' intercepts. We had one, wherein the Soviet came from under the aircraft and pulled straight up - afterburners full flames - and blacked out the sky for the cockpit - I could hear the screams of AAGGHH from the cockpit at the AMT station without the headsets. That was a heck of a thump.
I was told that "shot at and missed" (right before my time - by an AMT on the mission) had to have the salt washed off the plane - as she was flown so low and fast it was blasting the med seas up over the craft. And apparently the navy thought this was normal operation. Smile. Anyways, pretty sure we flew together, KTF, and a great book and a lot of work for a long in service airframe. All the best to you and yours, Tom.
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Used and history of the C/EC/KC/RC/etc. 135!
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2021
Probably the best overall reference I have read about the KC-135!
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2021
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Top reviews from other countries
Aviation Historian
The very best book I've ever seen on such an important and long serving aircraft.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on December 19, 2019Kindle Customer
Large book but disappointed cellophane cover was damaged.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 29, 2021
Christopher Lawless
Excellent book and coverage.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 7, 2020
