Pipe Creek Township in Grissom Air Force Base in Miami County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Boeing KC-97L
52-2697
| — | Grissom Air Museum | — |
Photographed by Craig Doda, September 5, 2026
1. Boeing KC-97L Marker
Manufacture: Boeing
Designation: KC-97L
Serial Number: 52-2697
Official name: Stratofreighter
Number built: 811 total. 81 KC-97Gs modified with two J47 turbojet engines on underwing pylons, and re-designated KC-97L.
Function: Strategic Aerial Refueling and cargo transport.
Crew: Six (aircraft commander, copilot, navigator, flight engineer, radio operator, boom operator)
Wingspan: 141 ft 2 in (43.03 m)
Length: 117 ft 5 in (35.79 m)
Height: 38 ft 4 in (11.68 m)
Power plant: 2 x General Electric J47-GE-23 turbojets, 5,790 lbf (kN) each 4 x Pratt & Whitney R-4360-59 radial engines, 3,500 hp (kW) each
Empty weight: 82,500 lb (37,421 kg) Max T/O weight: 175,000 lb (79,379 kg)
Cruising speed: 230 mph (370 km/h)
Max speed: 400 mph (644 km/h)
Service ceiling: 30,000 ft (m)
Range: 2,300 mi (3700 km)
Armament: None
Year built: Our aircraft, 1952.
Year retired: Texas Air National Guard and the Utah Air National Guard, retired their KC-97Ls in 1978.
Mission:
The KC-97 Stratofreighter was an aerial refueling tanker variant of the C-97 Stratofreighter (which was itself based on the Boeing B-29 Superfortress),
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Our aircraft:
Our "97" was the first to be modified with jet engines, and for a short time was designated JKC-97G during flight tests. The Air Force began modifying more "G" models that were now officially KC-97L's. Serial number 52-2697 served out its life with the 126th ARW, Scott AFB Illinois. She deployed multiple times to Europe supporting many Air National Guard missions.
Erected by Grissom Air Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military. A significant historical year for this entry is 1952.
Location. 40° 40.2′ N, 86° 7.79′ W. Marker is in Grissom Air Force Base, Indiana, in Miami County. It is in Pipe Creek Township. It is at the intersection of West Hoosier Boulevard and U.S. 31, on the right when traveling west on West
Photographed by Craig Doda, September 5, 2026
2. Boeing KC-97L Marker
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Indiana. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Republic Aircraft F-84F (a few steps from this marker); Fairchild C-119G (within shouting distance of this marker); Cessna U-3A (within shouting distance of this marker); Douglas Aircraft C-47D and C-47B (within shouting distance of this marker); Grumman C-1A (within shouting distance of this marker); Lockheed D-21 (within shouting distance of this marker); North American Aviation B-25J (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grissom Air Force Base.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 16, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
