Watch these Stratotankers perform an intricate, highly specialized, and rare maintenance procedure called a fin fold! The 190th Maintenance Group, Kansas Air National Guard, recently performed one. It may only be done a handful of times in decades.
Most maintenance is well understood, but on rare occasions, the plane’s rudder may become damaged. When that occurs, its 2,400-pound tail fin needs to be unbolted and horizontally folded to allow access to and repair of the rudder.
A highly specialized procedure for a Stratotanker, and not commonly performed
Executing a fin fold is not a mundane skill that most personnel are equipped for. It happens so rarely that crews familiar with it will have already transferred or retired by the time the next fin fold is required.
A maintenance crew may need to contact another wing entirely to engage with personnel who have direct first-hand experience.
The complex operation requires a team with a high degree of proficiency and specialized equipment. Multiple shops are involved and must work together. The KC-135 has a support bar that allows the tail to be held at 90 degrees, lying horizontal while still attached to the plane.
A special cable assembly is attached to the tail. Safety observers, a crane operator, and maintainers all work together to unbolt the four pins and bolts securing the tail and gently fold the fin.
“Coordinating a crane seems to be the biggest challenge,” says Master Sgt. Jason Brown, 190th MXG, R&R technician. “It can be intimidating to pull the rope on the right side to begin the fall, knowing what is holding it all up on the other side. Seeing it fall away on the other side is an incredible sight.”
