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The RAF Tanker Force
The RAF's fleet of VC10s is a busy fleet as it travels the globe to
dispense much needed fuel to it's military clients. Here are some images of the
VC10 in action as an air-to-air refueller.
Photo A. Townshend |
Photo A. Townshend |
Photo A. Townshend |
Photo A. Townshend |
1&2. Two Jaguars being refuelled somewhere between Lajes
and Halifax.
3. VC10 K4 ZD241.
4. This Nimrod on the centreline hose is being refuelled while on its way to
Falkland Island in March 1998.
Photo A. Townshend |
Photo A. Townshend |
Photo A. Townshend |
Photo A. Townshend |
1. These two had just been on a trail and were back inbound to MPA, this
photo was taken from a VC10 that went out to meet them from the Falklands.
2&3. VC10 and a Tornado, probably somewhere over the Mediterranean.
4. Two French Airforce Jaguars seen with a 101 Sqn VC10 in 1995, the photo was
taken by the pilot of the third Jaguar.
Photo M. Franks |
Photo M. Franks |
Photo M. Franks |
Photo M. Franks |
1&2. VC10s of 101 Sqn seen parked at RAF Brize Norton.
3&4. Two photos taken on one of the 'towline' sorties around the UK.
Photo A. Townshend |
Photo A. Townshend |
Photo A. Townshend |
Photo A. Townshend |
1 - 4. XV104 with two Tornados over Saudi Arabia in 2000.
Photo A. Townshend |
Photo A. Townshend |
Photo A. Townshend |
Photo A. Townshend |
1&2. VC10 seen from below, photo taken during receiver training in 1998,
prior to a Kosovo detachment.
3&4. Just before making contact.
Photo A. Townshend |
Photo A. Townshend |
Photo A. Townshend |
Photo A. Townshend |
1&2. Contact, from this point on the trick is to keep the aircraft in
this position. The catch is that it is slowly 'gaining weight' as fuel is
transfered.
3&4. VC10 K2 ZA144 with the centreline hose trailed.
Photo A. Townshend |
Photo A. Townshend |
Photo A. Townshend |
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1. VC10 C.1K XV103.
2. This is how it should be done, a Tornado refuelling on the right wing.
3. And this is how it's not done, a mangled basket courtesy of a German Tornado
driver.
4. A moody shot of VC10 K2 ZA142 climbing out after take off.
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Photo R. Rodwell, Flight Magazine |
Photo R. Rodwell, Flight
Magazine |
1. Somehow I don't think this one turned up for gas, encounter with a Tu-95
Bear in 1987.
2. A year earlier ZA141 had already found this Tu-95 Bear in February of 1986.
3. Dawn at Bahrein, the Beverly in the background was withdrawn from service the
following year. This photo was taken shortly before Christmas 1966.
4. Turn around at RAF Gan, XR808 showing carrying the full Transport Command
titling on the fuselage.
Photo copyright BAE SYSTEMS/RAF |
Photo Manonthefence/Nick Blacow |
Photo Manonthefence/Nick Blacow |
Photo Manonthefence/Nick Blacow |
1. A publicity photo showing compatibility trials between the BAe Eurofighter
and VC10 K3 ZA149.
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.
3. One of the most memorable flypasts carried out by 101 Sqn during the 40th
anniversary year was on 17th June 2006 when K3 ZA148 overflew Buckingham Palace
as part of a 49 aircraft overflight in honour of the Queen's 80th birthday.
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