Unbeatable museum quality best describes our handcrafted RC-135V/W Rivet Joint model airplane. After passing through the hands of master craftsmen, the parts are sanded and primed many times. Talented artists then paint on the intricate details with great accuracy. A final coat of clear lacquer protects the RC-135V/W Rivet Joint model and gives it a glossy finish. The RC-135V/W Rivet Joint model airplane comes with a handsome mahogany-based chrome pedestal, and to ensure that it is ready for delivery, it undergoes various stages of quality control before being placed in its box. The RC-135V/W Rivet Joint model airplane is perfect as an addition to a growing collection or as an exquisite gift to a loved one. RC-135V/W Rivet Joint History: The Boeing RC-135 is a United States Air Force reconnaisance aircraft used to support theatre and national level consumers with near real-time on-scene intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination capabilities. The RC-135 is an extensively modified C-135 in which the modifications are primarily related to its on-board sensor suite, which allows the mission crew to detect, identify and geolocate signals throughout the electromagnetic spectrum. The mission crew can then forward gathered information in a variety of formats to a wide range of consumers via Rivet Joint's extensive communications suite. The RC-135V/W sensor suite is one of the RC-135 versions. The RC-135V/W was manufactured by Boeing and its primary user is the United States Air Force. It allows the mission crew to detect, identify and geolocate signals throughout the electromagnetic spectrum. The mission crew can then forward gathered information in a variety of formats to a wide range of consumers via Rivet Joint's extensive communications suite. The interior seats 34 people, including the cockpit crew, electronic warfare officers, intelligence operators and airborne systems engineers. All Rivet Joint airframe and mission systems modifications are performed by L-3 Communications in Greenville, Texas, under the oversight of the Air Force Materiel Command. Under the "BIG SAFARI" program name, RC-135Vs were upgraded from the RC-135C "Big Team" configuration, itself a mission modified RC-135B (the first version delivered). The difference between the original and upgraded RC-135Vs and Ws is the different engines used. The current RC-135 fleet is the latest iteration of modifications to this pool of -135 aircraft going back to 1962. Initially employed by Strategic Air Command to satisfy nationally tasked intelligence collection requirements, the RC-135s have maintained a constant presence in Southwest Asia since the early 1990s. All RC-135s are assigned to Air Combat Command. The RC-135 is permanently based at Offutt Air Force Base., and operated by the 55th Wing, using various forward deployment locations worldwide. This model has measurements of: Span: 16 5/8" Len: 16 3/4" and Scale: 1/100