Boeing 707, Kc-135: In Civilian and Military Versions

The Boeing 707 revolutionized civil aviation by transitioning from piston engines to jets, but its development was rooted in the earlier KC-135, a military refueling aircraft for the B-52 bomber. Although both originated from the Dash 80 prototype, they served distinct purposes with limited shared features. Over 800 KC-135s were produced in various specialized forms, while more than 1,000 Boeing 707s were built, including military variants like the E-3 Sentry, which will continue to operate well into the future.