40 years of Sqn service

[Tonkenna]

The end of 10 Sqn is being discussed here: (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=178091) but I thought this a better place to ask this question...

How many RAF Sqns (or other airforce sqns for that matter) have used the same ac for 40 years?

The VC10 joined the RAF in 1966 and would have seen 4o years continuous service next year... shame we didn't quite make it.

Tonks:sad:

[Bof]

Tonkenna

I guess the C130ks will beat the VC10 record as they are only a year behind (1967). That is if they can squeeze a bit more life out of them.

[teeteringhead]

The RAF's Wessex Mk2 managed 38 or 39 years (1964-2002/3), which must be a rotary record.

[spekesoftly]

The Canberra surely deserves a mention here? First entered RAF service in 1951. Operated by 39 Sqn since 1957 to date, albeit with a break between 1982 and '92.

The Canberra is also one of the longest serving aircraft in the Indian Air Force, along with the Hunter, which they operated for well over 4 decades, 1957 to 2001.

Although not continuously with one particular Squadron, the RAF's remaining Dominies will have been in Service for 40 years, come this December.

Then there's the Swiss Air Force Alouette IIs, which served from 1958 to 1999, and their Alouette IIIs, still in service since 1964.

[Archimedes]

Didn't 231 OCU manage to clock up 40 years with the Canberra as well? IIRC, it had an ID change for 5 months between 1990 and 1991, but even if that period doesn't count, 1951-1990 isn't bad going...

I guess that 10 Sqn would be in the lead for continuous use of the same airframes, though!

[Tonkenna]

When I posted the question I had not really thought about it, but, having asked on a couple of BBs it is amazing just how many old ac we and other air forces around the world keep going.

Other ones include the B52s and KC135s in the US and I was reading about upgrades to Turkish F4s... though probably not on the same sqn all that time they are certainly getting on a bit.

As Archimedes said though... not that many have kept the same airframes they started with like 10 Sqn have.

Tonks:)

[treadigraph]

I believe Lockheed claimed that the SR-71 could have been kept in service for considerably longer than it was...

As a matter of interest anyone happen know which military aircraft still in service has the highest number of hours on the airframe?

[Biggles Flies Undone]

They'll all have to go some to beat the Navy's (http://www.hms-victory.com/) longest-commissioned bit of kit..... ;)