<article><hdr>Airborne shot of two YC-97Js</hdr><body>
<hi style=afpcap>The success of the basic B-29 design enabled the Boeing engineers to propose a transport version with a double deck fuselage as the XC-97 Stratofreighter with three prototypes being ordered in 1943. Following their delivery during 1945, The Army placed a contract for ten YC-97s for service tests with Air Transport Command. The first six were designated as YC-97s, with the next three being YC-97A troop carriers. The final example was fitted with 80 airline type seats and was designated a YC-97B operating with the Military Air Transport Service Pacific Division with regular services between California and Hawaii. The first production version was the C-97A with 50 being ordered during 1948 and 1949. Fourteen C-97Cs were funded in 1960 being specifically designed for the casualty evacuation role. Production then switched to the KC-97 tanker versions which were ordered is large numbers between 1951 and 1953. However two KC-97Gs were retained by Boeing at Renton as test beds for the Pratt and Whitney YT34-P-5 turboprop engines. These were designated as YC-97Js and lacked the flying boom as their function was to evaluate the powerplants for the Military Air Transport Service. The two YC-97Js were amongst a number of turboprop test aircraft assigned to the 1700th Test Squadron which was part of MATS Continental Division. These were the only two aircraft to receive these engines, although the T34 was fitted to the C-133 Cargomaster which originated in 1952. </hi>
