KC-135 vs. VC.10 & KC-10 vs. Tristar

After returning from my recent trip to Altus AFB, I began wondering how the USAF’s two tankers compare with their RAF counterparts.

I assume the KC-135 and VC.10 would be in the same category and the KC-10 and Tristar would be in the game category.

I only have good specifications available for the KC-135 and KC-10, so anyone who has good Tristar/VC.10, I’d gladly like to see what you have.

KC-135R Stratotanker KC-10A Extender

Estimated Cost: $52.2 million $86.8 million

Length: 136 ft. 3 in. 181 ft. 7 in.
Height: 41 ft. 8 in. 58 ft. 1 in.
Wingspan: 130 ft. 10 in. 165 ft. 5 in.

Empty Weight: 119,230 lbs. 240,025 lbs.
Max T/O: 322,500 lbs. 590,000 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 203,290 lbs. 348,975 lbs.

Cargo Load: 83,000 lbs. ?

Engines: CFM F108-CF-100 (4) GE CF-6-50C2 (3)

Thrust (Per Engine): 22,225 lbs. 52,500 lbs.

Max Speed: 610 mph 620 mph
Cruise Speed: 530 mph 555 mph

Maximum Ferry Range: 11,200 miles 11,630 miles

Personally of the four tanker types I like the KC-135 the best, but that’s just me.

So guys gimme some input on how the KC-135 compares to the VC.10 and how the KC-10 compares to the Tristar.

NOTE: The KC-10 has seem export success as the KDC-10 operated by The Netherlands, and the KC-135 has seen export success as the KC-135R operated by the Republic of Singapore and Turkey, plus the C-135FR operated by France.