Delivered to the USAF as C-135B 61-2666 in 1962. Converted to a WC-135B in 1965 and designated as a Constant Phoenix. Used to collect atmospheric samples for the purpose of detecting and identifying nuclear explosions. Converted to a WC-135W in 1995 then converted to an NC-135W around 2003 for use as a test aircraft for RC-135 projects. Stored at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ in 2023.

After breaking down for a couple of days, the wonderful Triple 6 or Satan's Sled, departs off runway 14 early on a Saturday morning for Majors Field. This aircraft was just flown to AMARC on September 5.... just two days ago and the last of her kind will be silenced forever.

SAME40

SHINR40 landing after testing new Saddlebag antennas in the NTTR

Later converted to WC-135W and then became the sole NC-135W. Current in 2022. Behind is KC-135A 61-0292 (msn 18199) which was converted to KC-135R in January 1987 and is also current in 2022. Photo via Danny Carstens.

An NC-135W, named Big Safari, assigned to the 645th MATS (Material Squadron) Det.2. Tripple 6 is a test-bed of the Air Force Material Command and used by L3 Communications Integrated Systems. It normally operates from Major Field, Greenville (TX) to support flight testing for the RC-135 fleet.

Operated by E-Systems

61-2666 was later converted to a WC-135W and then an NC-135W.

A new C-135B cargo/pax for the USAF's Military Air Transport Service taking off from Edwards AFB during its test programme. Later modified to EC-135B and currently operating as the one-off NC-135W test airframe. From Boeing 50 years ago.