Boeing put the the first KC-135 Stratotanker into service 52 years ago.  The U.S. Air Force bought the last one in 1965.

The four-engine KC-135 Stratotanker jets across the firmament, refueling other aircraft in flight.  It also, per Boeing – which first delivered the hulking milk cow in June 1957 —  can with upgrades "serve as flying command posts, pure transport…