To say that Boeing has been in the business of building large, multi-engined aircraft, would be stating the obvious. Starting with the XB-15 of the mid 1930's and continuing today with the latest variant of the 747, Boeing has managed to do well with both the civilian as well as the military market. Probably this is because, in their early years, so many of their military aircraft were used as the basis for successful civil airliners and vice versa. 

With the C-97, it was the Model 377 civil version that came second with the C-97 being based on the B-29. The later 377 was based on the B-50, which was based on the B-29. Anyway, the USAF decided that it needed a long range transport aircraft and had Boeing build a number of cargo/passenger C-97s. It also saw the need for a dedicated tanker aircraft to replace the KB-29s that were in service and so had Boeing design a tanker/cargo version, which became the KC-97A. 

Both the C-97A and KC-97A were relatively short production run aircraft. Improvements in systems and additional design requirements to allow the KC-97 to carry more fuel resulted in several variants of the KC-97. Those most built, were the KC-97G version with 592 examples built in the early 1950s.  These were placed into service with SAC for use in refueling their long range B-50s and escort fighter wings, which were mostly F-84Fs. 

However, a problem arose when the fast jet bombers such as the B-47 and B-52s came on line. These aircraft were unable to fly slow enough to properly refuel from the KC-97G. Two things helped improve the situation. First, they started refueling 'downhill', so that the KC-97G could fly faster. Secondly, most were modified to KC-97L variants with additional jet engines under the wings to speed up the lumbering KC-97s. Even all these 'fixes' were not enough and required an all-jet tanker. This eventually led to the KC-135, an aircraft that is still in service after 45 years and looks like it is good for another 30 or so!

Academy is nothing if not frugal with its sprues. Many of the sprues are from the B-50 kit, and why not as the KC-97 is based on the B-50. There are also a number of like sprues that are the same as with the 377 Stratocruiser and C-97A kit. What is unique to this kit are the flying boom bits, the wing fuel tanks and (different from the 377) the fuselage. This also includes the fuselage windows as there are fewer of them on the C-97 versions. An interesting adaptation is that the refueling blister is part of the surrounding lower fuselage insert that replaces the cargo door of the C-97. This part is molded entirely in clear plastic.

All of the parts are crisply molded, including the B-50 bits. There is no flash and I couldn't see any sink marks and other mold release pin marks. Those may become evident as the kit is built, but a cursory look at some of the areas where they are most likely (landing gear and alignment pins), showed no evidence of these flaws.

The instruction sheet is written in the usual multiple languages with the standard pictorial construction steps and international signs. There is a color chart that gives just generic colors and not FS colors. There is also a parts diagram that is numbered to help one find all the parts.

The decal sheet is quite large and very colorful. It gives markings for two aircraft. The main difference between the two being the markings on the wing tanks and one has a white cabin roof. Both are natural metal with red 'arctic' markings on the wings and tail. Actually, I think that KC-97s were painted an overall aluminum instead of their being natural metal. As with the 377 kit, a lot of vents and intakes are decals rather than these items being molded into the plastic. Guess it works ok, but since I haven't actually built any of these kits, I'm not sure how it well it works. Separate from the instructions is the decal and painting guide for the aircraft. The only thing I can see is that the blue for the SAC banner may be a bit too light, but it looks just fine to me. Academy decals are supposed to be pretty good, but again, I have not built a recent Academy kit to be able to tell.

Bottom line is that it looks like a great kit. A big one too! With the release of this and the C-97, that only leaves the KC-97L, most of which were used by the ANG. I guess that one will come out here in a few months after everyone has had a chance to pick over this kit!

I'd like to thank a friend in Korea for sending me this kit so that I didn't have to pay a fortune for it. Believe it or not, this kit sells for about $20.00 in Korea!

Review copy courtesy of me and my wallet! 

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