RAF TriStars
 

Having been a Civvy PAX on a rather unfortunate TriStar trip to MPA a couple of years back, I now wonder about the history of the RAF's fleet.

I know they were bought after the Falklands war second hand. But from whom?

What mods did they need to get them approved for RAF service?

Apparently "my" TriStar was called "Damien" and he/she gave me a nice five day break on ASI (Castle Lager, Karaoke, Green Mountain Curry and Chips) when something went wrong with the pressurisation I think. That was back in May 2002.

I seem to remember some complicated logistics operation to get a bit out via Dakar on a VC-10.

And talking of VC10's is the RAF fleet purpous built or did it once belong to BA BCal Dan Air etc?

Cheers Tyne,

There are 3 main types of RAF TriStar:

The 3 C2s are all ex-Pan Am. Virtually no mods needed - they even removed the IFE kit to make the misery of the trip to the Islas Malvinas complete.

The 6 tankers are all ex-ba TriStar 500s. Converted by Marshall Aerospace, the 4 KC1s are the most versatile as they have a proper upper deck freight door which the 2 K1s don't. They K s also have twin under fuselage hose drum units and extra fuel tankage.

Damien - notorious b£oody thing and always viewed with trepidation by those due to escape from the Malvinas on it!

There was once a plan to fit wing AR pods to the TriStar, but after £millions had been wasted, the idea was shelved.

For some oscure reason, a C2 is often known as a 'Timmy', whilst the KC1 is referred to by many as a 'freighter' (although it is, in reality, a multi-role tanker transport) and the folks down in Base Area Gringo, Islas Malvinas (Maggie's Poxy Airfield - MPA) as a 'Tommy'.

As regards the VC10, only the VC10C1Ks of 10 Sqn were bought from new. Originally they were mere trash-haulers and were known as the C1; later they were all converted to multi-role tanker transports by Flight Refuelling Limited. The VC10Ks of 101 Sqn are single role tanker-only aircraft; originally there were 5 third-hand ex-Standard VC10s which had been through the hands of BOAC and subsequently Gulf Air. They were the VC10K2. The other 9 consisted of 4 secondhand Super VC10s (with freight door, but rendered inoperative for the AR role) bought off BAC who'd re-possessed them from a bankrupt East African Airways Corporation. They were the VC10K3; the other 5 were ex-BA Super VC10s which were parked at RAF Abingdon for well over 10 years before being converted ( as had been the K2s and K3s) by BAe at Filton and were termed the VC10K4. The K2s are now all dead ( a third generation VC10 captain flew the last one to its final resting place - both her father and grandfather had also flown it!); all RAF VC10 aircrew now fly the VC10CIK and VC10K3/4 and all are trained in both air refuelling and air transport flying - the squadrons use eachothers aircraft and aircrew as tasking dictates.

Beags,

I presume by "mere trash-haulers" you mean:

Superb strategic transport aircraft used for a variety of roles, including passenger, freight, passenger & freight, medevac, VIP and Royal transport duties.

Can't believe I bit.....

Reichman

Nor can I....;)

yes just don't be over 6 feet tall in a VC10 they are bl()()dy uncomfortable. BTW if I get a DVT on a flight with the RAF can I sue?

There is more seat pitch in a '10 than most bucket-and-spade jets! 34" in a C1K or K3, and 36" in a K4, if memory serves. Not quite trans-oceanic biz class, but infinitely better than the bowels of an Albert! Front cabin seats in a Timmy are much comfier, I certainly agree.

DVT? Isn't he on C-17s now?

interesting thread as I had been wondering...

now that 330s or 767s are on the way, are they replacing Tri* or VC10 or both, and is that a complete replacement or is a further replacement likely?

More seat pitch than the bowels of an Albert??? Can't remember ever being allowed to string a hammock in the internals of a WC-10 or BiStar!! ;)

Can't believe I bit either.... :oh:

Ah... which one is it then? Gotta bag me a ride on that one! :E

MarkD,

Current plan is that ALL 19 VC10's and 9 Tristars will be replaced by the A330 fleet, which is said to consist of 10 new A330-200's and 6 second hand examples.

the drop in numbers of airframes I find a little concerning.

All part of the meaner leaner Air Forece I'm afraid. Less airframes but much more capable! Great until the whole lot are grounded by a tech problem and you only have one type of tanker!

or the much more capable aircraft is scheduled to be in 2 places at the same time

pr00ne

thanks.

With the A310MRTT developed perhaps AA should have tried to flog their A300-600s to the USAF, as BA tried to do with their 767s :D

Remember the day bringing the first K2 from Filton lovely aircraft pity about the fuel leaks. Same goes for the K3 glad to hear that they are still going strong :ok:

Beag's, you mention that queen of the skies, "fat Albert" tell you what there is nothing better than climbing onto that "Doyenne" of aviation and slinging your hammock, just about anywhere!!

Incidentally, just looked in another of my log books, from another age, and noticed that I have taken off in Albert 726 times but only landed twice, exits have been anywhere between 25,000' and 450' and from just about every hole in the aeroplane. Hope I aint got DVT!!!!

Never understood those who would want to throw themselves out of a serviceable aeroplane defies comprehension :)

Quite so, Engineer! But I can understand anyone condemned to the bowels of an Albert throwing themselves out of the thing on 724 out of 726 occasions!

Regrettably the VC10K2s are no more. The last one (ZA 142 'C') went to its St Athan grave on 27 Mar 2001. Landed fully serviceable after we'd done a flyby at the Covert Oxonian Aerodrome and another as a tribute to the late Brian Trubshaw at Filton.

MarkD - the A300 freighter conversion programme has proved very successful - at least 2 of Uncle Spam's aeroplanes are currently in the hangar in Germany being converted. A300 MRTT conversion? Would certainly be feasible.

Maybe the KC10 would be a cheaper options in this case

Eng, Beag's,

come now gentlemen it might not float your switch but its a bit like flying you cant really enjoy it until you are pretty good at it.

I will never forget the these words of wisdom from the Lt Col, CFI, in the bar after the wings parade "Go forth young man, we have shown you how to be a pilot. Now go and learn how to fly"

He was right. I dont know how you do it beag's but I come over all nostalgic when I read your threads. perhaps I should try to remember the cack times too!