In the 1950s, Boeing made a $16 million bet. As Boeing manufactured newer, faster jet bombers for the Air Force, mid-air refueling aircraft lagged behind. The standard refueling aircraft at the time, the propeller-powered KC-97, flew much slower than the jet-powered bombers it was meant to refuel. To Boeing president William Allen, it seemed like only a matter of time before a jet tanker became necessary. The Air Force hadn't requested a jet-powered refueling aircraft, but Allen was sure that