Footage of the destruction of a unique rare aircraft – the world’s last Boeing KC-747 air tanker, which was in the service of the Iranian Air Force, has spread on the Internet. The legendary plane with tail number 5-8107 was hit during an Israeli raid on Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran.
The history of this liner extends more than half a century. The aircraft began its service as a civilian Boeing 747-13, making its maiden flight on April 8, 1971. Four years later, the ship underwent a profound modernization, transforming into a specialized oil tanker.
This aircraft was part of a group of 12 similar aircraft purchased by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in 1975 to meet the needs of the Imperial Iranian Air Force. The KC-747 has distinctive characteristics: it can carry more than 200 tons of aviation kerosene, and remains the highest lift carrier in world aviation.
In comparison, equivalent modern aircraft such as the Boeing KC-767 or KC-135 are capable of transporting much smaller amounts of fuel. Despite its venerable age, the Iranian tanker remained in service until its final days.
“The plane did not live literally a month before its 55th anniversary,” reports say. cable– Avia News Channel.
On March 12, two US Air Force KC-135 refueling planes collided in western Iraq, and one of them subsequently crashed on the ground. All six crew members were killed.