Boeing 737 Tanker...

[Mike Wren]

just got a cheap 1/144 Revell 737-800 & was wondering if it was practical to make it into a tanker, I'm thinking for an AF on a budget.

maybe Australia or similar could use 737-based a/c for Wedgetail AWACS, tanker & maritime patrol (P-8 MMA)?

I have no idea if a 737 could carry the amount of fuel needed for the distances needed though?

 

[John Howling Mouse]

Sounds like a natural to me.

[Jeffry Fontaine]

As long as you stick with the hose & drougue system you should not get any criticism from the rest of the inmates.  

Placement of an HDU pod under each wing would probably be the best apprach.  If you can find a KA-6D, you could try to fashion something similar to mount on the fuselage.

[jcf]

Using the -800 as a baseline you'd have 45 cubic meters of lower lobe cargo space available to install fuel tanks. Which compares well to the 47.2 cubic meters of a 707-120.

Here is a PDF of 737 specs, Chapter 2.0 of the D6-58325-6:
737 Aircraft Description PDF

From this site:
Boeing Aircraft Characteristics for Airport Planning

Cheers, Jon

[B777LR]

Just use a Boeing 737-900ER

Isnt the USAF also looking at possibly buying KC-737 and KC-777? Of course they are also looking at KC-767...

[Jennings]

Just use a Boeing 737-900ER

Isnt the USAF also looking at possibly buying KC-737 and KC-777? Of course they are also looking at KC-767...

AFAIK there has never been a proposal for a 737 tanker.  It's just too small for the USAF's tanker mission.  Boeing has, of course, proposed a KC-767 (which designation makes my skin positively crawl off my body) and a 777 tanker.  They screwed the pooch on the 767 tanker by their dirty dealing, and I think the 777 will be too expensive for the USAF to afford.  I suspect we'll end up with either the KC-30 (Airbus A330-300) or buying used passenger 767s for conversion.

J

[B777LR]

USAF A-330! Joke of the century  Boeing is currently offering all aircraft that are still in production, however mostly the 767

[Shasper]

Why not a KC-787?

Shas B)

[anthonyp]

According to Aviation Week, Northrup-Grumman is looking more and more like they won't offer the KC-30 A330 derivative for the KC-X competition after meeting with USAF officials earlier this week.

Article on aviationnow.com

Boeing said they looked at derivatives of all in-production models, but the 737 was too small for USAF requirements.  747, 767, and 777 variants were evaluated, and while the 767 offered the least amount of internal fuel storage, it offered the best bang-for-the-buck, though the 777 is a close second.

As for a 737 tanker variant, maybe hose and drogue for use by smaller nations, like Taiwan, Kuwait, or Barbados?

[GTX]

USAF A-330! Joke of the century

Maybe for the USAF, but the RAAF choose the A-330 over the 767.  the Airbus had by far the better performance.

As for a KC-737, why not - after all there are KC-130s, so this could be a tanker for those smaller airforces.

Regards,

Greg

[Jennings]

USAF A-330! Joke of the century  Boeing is currently offering all aircraft that are still in production, however mostly the 767

The A330 is most assuredly still in production, and the 767 soon won't be.  In fact, I'd imagine that by the time the USAF gets around to making up their mind, it will be out of production.  The major disadvantage to the 767 is that it's a nearly 30 year old airplane.  The A330 and 777 are much newer in-production technology.  Boeing (from what I hear) *really* wants to shut down the 767 line forthwith, which is why I say if the USAF does get 767s, they'll likely be used airliners.  A huge, huge mistake if you ask me.

The KC-30/A330 is a very good airplane.  True, it's not a Boeing, but it is a very capable tanker platform.

J

[Jennings]

Why not a KC-787?

Shas B)

First they need to fly it!  I think that might be a little toooo expensive for a tanker.  It'd be cool though!

J

[B777LR]

Of course, USAF could reengine their KC-767 with GeNX in 15 years  And add winglets

I think KC-737 would be a suitable aircraft for the US navy. They are afterall getting P-8, based on 737-800!

[dragon]

Of course you could turn it into a Presidential plane of some sort....The 737 is not unheard of as a Presidential transport.  B)  

[Captain Canada]

The 737 would make a great tanker, Mikey. Especially one like the -800. Are you gonna put a flying boom on it ? Or hose and drogue ? I kinda wonder about the latter in the wing, as it would have to be extensively reworked, I'd be guessing, to get all the piping in and the hardpoints strengthened up.

Which is what makes the A330 so attractive, having the points already in the wing for engines No. 3 & 4 and their associated goodies.

Didn't somebody do a 737 MPA of a Newfie Air Force ? I think it might have been on ARC or HS. I'll have to look for it, it was a real beauty !