Air-to-Air Refuelling Aircraft

Modern strategists talk about “force multipliers,” and, for air operations, air-to-air refueling is without doubt the greatest force multiplier of all. In-flight refueling has allowed not only the longest bombing missions in history but also persistence in air defense, transport reach and flexibility in ground-attack tasks. Covering a range of refuelers — including the Boeing KC-97 and KC-135, Vickers Valiant, Handley Page Victor, Lockheed TriStar, Vickers VC10, McDonnell Douglas KC-10 and the Airbus MRTT Voyager — this book details the history of air-to-air refueling and celebrates the key role played by tanker aircraft in the application of air power around the world.

About the Author

Educated at Auchinleck Academy in Ayrshire, Chris Gibson read Geology and Mineralogy at University of Aberdeen, graduating with Honours in 1984. Chris has worked in the oil exploration industry since 1985. In 1978, his interest in aircraft took Chris into the Royal Observer Corps where he represented his Group, Area and country in aircraft recognition competitions between 1980 and 1991. On the standing down of the ROC in 1991, Chris began researching historical aviation and has written several books on unbuilt projects particularly guided weapons airborne early warning, and military helicopters. An Affiliate Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society and member of the RAF Historical Society, Chris lives in the North East of England.