It was derived from the prototype of Boeing's 707 jet airliner in the early 1950s. The C-135 has been a visible successful partner of the USAF since the first one was acquired in August 1956. Although most of the 820 units have been KC-135A Stratotankers for the air refueling mission, they have also performed numerous transport and special-duty functions. The main types are as follows: 

C-135A  - (Model 707-157) -  first flight May 19, 1961

C-135B  - (Model 707-158) - upgraded engines

EC-135 – airborne control center

KC-135A - tanker

KC-135B - tanker

KC-135F - French AF for refuelling "Mirage" IVA

KC-135R - CFM International F108-CF-100 engines

KC-135Q – special tanker for SR-71

KC-135T - special tanker for SR-71 - reengined

OC-135  - Open Skies observation aircraft

RC-135A - (Model 739-700) - reconnaisance aircraft

RC-135B - (Model 739-445B) - elect. rec. aircraft

VC-135B - VIP transport version of C-135B

WC-135C - weather reconnaisance aircraft

CC-137  - military transport for RCAF

VC-137A - VIP transport version of Model 707-120

VC-137B - VIP transport version of Model 707-320B

C-135A specs/doneleri:

Crew/mürettebat: 4-5, passengers/yolcu: 126, engines/motorlar: 4 x turbo-jet P+W TF-33-P-5, thrust/itiş gücü: 4 x 79.90kN, wingspan/kanat açıklığı: 39.9m, length/uzunluk: 41.0m, height/yükseklik: 11.7m, wing area/kanat alanı: 226.0m², start mass/kalkış ağırlığı: 125000kg, empty mass/boş ağırlığı: 47000kg, max speed/azami hızı: 970km/h, cruise speed/seyir hızı: 650km/h, ceiling/tavan: 10700m, range w.max.fuel/azami yakıtla menzil: 14800km, range w.max.payload/azami yükle menzil: 4900km