RAF CALGARY:OUR AIRCRAFT:VC10

INTRODUCTION

The RAF operates three variants of the aircraft: the C1Ks are military transport aircraft, carrying 120 passengers or freight, and can be adapted for tanking with the addition of wing-mounted refuelling pods; the K3s and K4s are the ex-civil Super VC10s (the K2 variants were ex-civil VC10s but are no longer in service). The K3s and K4s both have wing refuelling points for fighters and a centreline refuelling capacity to provide additional support for large aircraft.

VC10 C1K

The VC10 C1Ks were delivered to the RAF in 1966 and are the longest serving aircraft in the Service's inventory. They represented a substantial advancement to the concept of strategic, long distance military transport, flying scheduled military services to Singapore and the Far East. They can be fitted with up to 150 seats, (although, we usually use them with 137 seats), 10 air cargo pallets, or a combination of both. They can carry a payload of 54,000lbs. Of the thirteen examples of the VC10 C1K, one was used by British Aerospace as a test bed and 12 were converted into the air-to-air refuelling capability, but maintained their passenger carrying role. Eleven VC10 C1Ks are still operated by No 10/101 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton.

VC10 K2/K3/K4

Five standard VC10s were purchased from Gulf Air and four Super VC10s from East African Airways. The conversion work was completed by BAe Filton with added cabin fuel tanks, hose/drum units under each wing and in the rear fuselage and CCTV to monitor fuel transfers. These aircraft were designated the K2 and K3 respectively and were delivered in 1984 and 1985, able to carry up to 18 passengers.

A further 14 aircraft were purchased from British Airways in 1993. These became identical to the K2 and K3, except they have no cabin fuel tanks, which allows a full passenger load.
Our VC10 K3/4 marques are also operated by No 10/101 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton.
Our VC10 aircraft can be seen at Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and CFB Cold Lake throughout the year.

Click on the images below to find out more about the aircraft that can be seen throughout Western Canada.

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