A Little VC10derness

The VC10's in military service seem to have sprouted a couple of extra TAT (Total Air Temperature) probes that weren't there in civilian days. One behind the FD windows on the LHS which I believe is used to calculate True Airspeed. There is another one low down on the LHS - what is that for?

Paul

There's an ice detector on the l/h lower fuse.

petet16 wrote:There's an ice detector on the l/h lower fuse.

I know - a rotary ice detector and a hot rod by a Capt's window.

My question is about Temp probes, not ice detectors

I know that A4O-AB has a TAT probe that appeared to be non standard. We found that it was installed together with a newer inertial navigation set. I know that the RAF have upgraded the nav fit on their '10s too, could it be because of that?

1103 wrote:

petet16 wrote:There's an ice detector on the l/h lower fuse.

I know - a rotary ice detector and a hot rod by a Capt's window.

My question is about Temp probes, not ice detectors

In that case I'll mind my own business then

The probes in question are seen above.

The two probes aft of the radome casting the long shadows I assume are part of the set four originals.
Another (I assume) temp probe is slightly forward and above the rotary ice detector - Purpose ?
Finally there is another temp probe aft of the #4 LH window which I assume is the one for calculating true airspeed.

What is the extra probe for?

petet16 my apologies for coming across so blunt - it wasn't meant that way.

Paul

Thank you Paul, let's move on

The same probe is visible on the VC10 at Brooklands, there's a picture in the Tech Section.

As for the A4O-AB setup, indeed the photo petet16 found (I've enlarged it a bit) shows the three probes on the left side of the nose. I've got a clearer picture as well:


On the first flight of the prototype Super, the configuration was like this:


Note that there is a fifth 'Penny & Giles temp head' on the right side of the nose, is that still installed on the K3?

The K3 tankers have a new FMS like navigation computer which is mounted in the navigator's station, I wouldn't be surprised if the probe next to the no.4 window is attached to that. The one on the bottom left as on A4O-AB would then be for the same system in the front. A bit of guesswork from my side but perhaps there's a grain of truth in there somewhere.

Thanks for that photo petet16.

Based on that I am going to make an educated guess. As A4O-AB has the Rosemount Probe by the ice detector I will say that that probe is for the INS. The one behind the window is for the GPS?

Paul

edit: Thanks for your pictures too Jelle. Hopefully between us we have nailed it.

The K.3 doesn't have the Penny & Giles sensor on the RHS

My guess would be that the Rosemount probe next to the ice detector is used for the 'old' INS (grey box with white/orange keys) while the one next to the window is used for the 'new' FMS (large black calculator on the left).

I don't know the exact types for this stuff but I'm sure you guys can figure this out

The INS fit was salvaged from the Vulcan fleet when it was retired, the fit for the VC10 was done on the K2's by EWAU at RAF Wyton

You are correct Jelle (as far as I remember... I don't re-read the manuals every day any more!). The old ones were left fitted when the new FMS's were fitted.

Tonks

Thanks Andy,

That does solve the mystery of why apparently two TAT probes were needed.

Paul