Celebrating heritage, color, and craftsmanship in aviation
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A Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, one of the world’s longest-serving aerial refueling aircraft, has received a full repaint and new heritage tail design using AkzoNobel Aerospace Coatings’ high-performance systems.
Milwaukee’s 128th Air Refueling Wing
Unveiled by Milwaukee’s 128th Air Refueling Wing, the aircraft now features a bold tail design that reflects the unit’s identity and connection to the city of Milwaukee. From the flying beer stein to the ‘Milwaukee’ and ‘Brew City Tankers’ tail markings and barley detail, every element of the livery tells a story.
The full aircraft was protected with our epoxy primer and Aerodur 5000 Camouflage topcoat, known for its durability and resistance to harsh environments.
- The blue (35056) came from our existing Aerodur 5000 Flat range.
- The custom yellow (33432) was developed by our team specifically for this project
Both colors were generously donated by an AkzoNobel Distributor from their in-house tintline.
During the unveiling event, the AkzoNobel team was warmly welcomed by MSgt Elizabeth Cywinski and CMSgt Ryan Branz, who walked us through their facilities and introduced us to the talented 128th ARW painters behind the work.
“The KC-135 Aerial Stratotanker has a rich history in global aerial refueling, supporting global flight operations for nearly seven decades” said Ted Wiesner, Air Defense Segment Manager at AkzoNobel Aerospace Coatings. “We are pleased to support the unit with this latest update, which reflects its legacy and the continued importance. Our high-performance coating will help protect an aircraft that carries not just fuel, but decades of history, craftsmanship, and community identity for years to come.”