From its first flight in 1945, the C-97 Stratofreighter proved essential for military logistics. Its unique design and tanker variant KC-97 supported the Strategic Air Command throughout the Cold War.

NASA's choice is its Super Guppy Turbine, registration N941NA. It was originally put into service all the way back in 1953 as Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker SN 52-828.

A bulbous fuselage was crafted, resulting in the KC-97 of the 1950s. About 800 were built to sate the B-47 fleet.

The KC-97 was flown by both the 4045th Air Refueling Wing and the 500th Air Refueling Wing at Selfridge into the mid-1960s.

The first in-flight refueling aircraft arrived at Selfridge in 1959 when the KC-97 Stratofreighter was flown by the 4045th Air Refueling Wing and the 500th Air Refueling Wing, according to the ...

The KC-97 was flown by both the 4045th Air Refueling Wing and the 500th Air Refueling Wing at Selfridge into the mid-1960s.