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The RAF VC10 Force
The RAF's fleet of VC10s is a busy fleet as it travels the globe,
originally as a transport aircraft but in later years also to
dispense much needed fuel to its military clients. Here are some images of the
VC10 in action with the Royal Air Force. Some of the photos that used to be on
this page have been moved to another page called 'RAF VC10s Air to Air'.
I've added some new photos to this page, along with some photos which were
already on other pages, all about the first days of the VC10's RAF service life
and will add some more soon.
Photo R. Rodwell, Flight Magazine |
Photo R. Rodwell, Flight
Magazine |
Photo via K. White |
Photo via D. Williams |
1. Dawn at Bahrein, the Beverly in the background was withdrawn from service
the following year. This photo was taken shortly before Christmas 1966. The
first RAF VC10s were delivered with 'Royal Air Force Transport Command' titles
on the fuselage.
2. Turn around at RAF Gan, XR808 carrying the full Transport Command
titling on the fuselage.
3. An inflight photo showing the first C1, XR806, which was later damaged in a
defuelling incident at RAF Brize Norton.
4. As shown here on XV106 the paint scheme was changed in 1967 to reflect the
new name 'RAF Air Support Command'.
1. XV107 is seen here parked at RAF Abingdon in 1968 showing the 'RAF Air
Support Command' colours.
2-3. XV109, the last of the RAF C1s takes off from Brooklands, probably on
her very first flight. As this was in 1968, the 'RAF Air Support Command' titles
were already present.
4. XV104 taking off from Wisley during test flying. A BAC 1-11 and a set of
engine de-tuners are seen in the background. This particular VC10 C1 was
probably also delivered with 'RAF Air Support Command' on the fuselage side.
Photo collection J. Hieminga |
Photo G. Hall |
Photo Crown Copyright |
Photo collection J. Hieminga |
1. And then the titling was changed again in 1972, this time to just 'Royal Air
Force' as seen here on XV105.
2. XR810 parked at RAF Brize Norton in the 10 Squadron colours that it would
wear for most of its career.
3. This shot of XV103 parked at RAF St. Athan in front of the Twin Peaks hangar
shows the refuelling probe and wing pylons (without pods) that signify the
change from pure transport to a transport/tanker role between 1992 and 1996.
4. During the Falklands war VC10s from 10 Squadron performed medevac flights and
this was signified by the red cross on the fuselage side seen here on XV107.
Photo M. Franks |
Photo M. Franks |
Photo A. Townshend |
Photo A. Townshend |
1&2. VC10s of 101 Sqn seen parked at RAF Brize Norton.
3. This is how air to air refuelling should be done, a Tornado refuelling on the right wing.
4. And this is how it's not done, a mangled basket courtesy of a German Tornado
driver.
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Photo Manonthefence/Nick Blacow |
Photo Manonthefence/Nick Blacow |
Photo Manonthefence/Nick Blacow |
1. A moody shot of VC10 K2 ZA142 climbing out after take off.
2 - 4. Three images taken at Brize Norton showing an unidentified K3/4 just
after take-off, K3 ZD242 approaching to land and C1K XV108 climbing away.
1-3. A great series of shots by R. Pittuck showing XV109 on arrival at EDI
(Edinburgh) on 25th May 2006.
4. Later that day (about 1:30 later) she left again.
1-2. Two more photos showing the aircraft climbing away past the Edinburgh
control tower, trailing its trademark plume of smoke.
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