RAF Voyager Formation

[Out Of Trim]

Just spotted 2 RAF Voyagers in Formation over the North Sea on FR24. They are flying together but have a 1,000 ft vertical separation.

A common sight singularly in the AAR areas. But I've never seen two in formation like this!

Call signs Tartan 31 & Tartan 32.

Any guesses why?

[MATELO]

Practicing formation flying ?

[chevvron]

Er refuelling?

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by chevvron

Er refuelling?

With 1000 feet vertical separation ? Must have needed a very long hose.

Joking aside, I don't think the RAF's Voyagers can be refuelled in flight.

[chevvron]

Originally Posted by DaveReidUK

With 1000 feet vertical separation ? Must have needed a very long hose.

Joking aside, I don't think the RAF's Voyagers can be refuelled in flight.

Well I didn't actually mean each other because, as you say, I don't think they have probes unlike their predecessors! But they could have been expecting a large number of 'chicks' so doubled up the towlines.

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by chevvron

Well I didn't actually mean each other because, as you say, I don't think they have probes unlike their predecessors! But they could have been expecting a large number of 'chicks' so doubled up the towlines.

Fair enough, I thought you were commenting on their proximity to each other!

Interestingly, I don't think any A330/MRTTs actually have probes, but some (with other air forces) have a C-130-type receptacle (UARRSI) on the top of the fuselage, designed to accept a refuelling boom (KC-10, KC-135, etc).

But of course that means they can't be refuelled by a tanker that only has drogues.