SPAIN'S MULTI-ROLE BOEING 707s

摘要

The Ejercito del Aire has had the Boeing 707 in its inventory since 1988. The type was a controversial choice due to the age of the selected aircraft. During the early 1980s, the Ejercito del Aire (the literal translation of which is Army of the Air, but more commonly referred to in English as the Spanish Air Force) started to consider renewal of its VIP aircraft, which at that time were two McDonnell Douglas DC-8-52s, bought second-hand from Iberia in April 1978 and February 1980. Owing to their advanced years the Spanish Government decided to purchase two Boeing 707s, also second-hand, with the aim of not just using them in the VIP and transport roles, but also as air-to-air refuelling tanker aircraft.