The VC10 bows out

[Martin H]

Today was the last chance to see a VC10 in the air as a serving RAF aircraft.



One, "Guy Gibson VC" is going to join Air Atlantic's historic collection at its new home base at St Mawgan. Lets hope the remainder of them find safe new homes.

[scooter]

Its always a sad day when an historic or long-serving airframe is consigned to either static display or, sadly, the scrap dealer.  I think the USAF will have such a day when the last Buff is retired and sent to the Boneyard.

[PR19_Kit]

XR808, known as 'Bob' within 101 Sqdn. has already been flown out to Bruntingthorpe, complete with the fancy fin scheme.



It's a pity the RAF didn't make a bigger thing of the stand-down, the Vickie Ten was a really significant aircraft in the RAF's tanker history, not to mention its place in British civil aviation history. I'd dearly like to see a standard in the BOAC-Cunard scheme like the Super at Duxford. I rue the day BA replaced the scheduled VC10 with a 747 a week before I flew down to South Africa in the early '80s. 

[Martin H]

XR808, known as 'Bob' within 101 Sqdn. has already been flown out to Bruntingthorpe, complete with the fancy fin scheme.

Is she joining the collection at Bruntingthorpe? Or like some of her sisters to be broken up?

[Librarian]

Next to the Caravelle, one of the most beautiful aircraft ever designed . I truly had the honour of regularly flying on them to Riyadh when I was young. The engines fascinated me. Everytime I go to Duxford I can't resist a walk through their example.

[kitbasher]

Farewell VC10.
Had quite a few trips in them (pax and tanking) during my time at Brize - most memorably in the lead VC10 during the practice and actual Battle of Britain 50th anniversary flypast over London.  Tanked Buccaneers off the Suffolk coast near Southwold at around 3000 ft on the day of the actual flypast.
If there was a 'sad' icon available when writing up posts I'd use it right now!

[PR19_Kit]

XR808, known as 'Bob' within 101 Sqdn. has already been flown out to Bruntingthorpe, complete with the fancy fin scheme.

Is she joining the collection at Bruntingthorpe? Or like some of her sisters to be broken up?

'Bob's' going to be part of the collection there AFAIK, thank goodness.

On the Beeb News this morning they had an extensive report by a girlie reporter who actually got to FLY on the last tanking flight yesterday! 

Civil Licence notwithstanding, the RAF should have auctioned off the remaining empty seats on the aircraft, even if there was only 20 or so.

[Steel Penguin]

excuse my ignorance on this, but what are they being replaced by in the tanking role?

[darthspud]

Steel Penguin
Mixed replacement of Voyagers and A400M.
Plus in the short-term Tristar's will still be 'available'

[PR19_Kit]

I don't think the RAF A400Ms have the tanking options installed.

Very short sighted in my view and it will undoubtedly cost we taxpayers LOTS more when they realise their mistake and have to have them upgraded later on.

[Thorvic]

I don't think the RAF A400Ms have the tanking options installed.

Very short sighted in my view and it will undoubtedly cost we taxpayers LOTS more when they realise their mistake and have to have them upgraded later on.

Not really the mistake is in the Voyager PFI contract as they have the exclusive rights for RAF Air to Air refuelling using their Voyagers, Atlas tankers would be a breach of contract so its cheaper to go without than pay for the capability and the compensation 

[PR19_Kit]

I don't think the RAF A400Ms have the tanking options installed.

Very short sighted in my view and it will undoubtedly cost we taxpayers LOTS more when they realise their mistake and have to have them upgraded later on.

Not really the mistake is in the Voyager PFI contract as they have the exclusive rights for RAF Air to Air refuelling using their Voyagers, Atlas tankers would be a breach of contract so its cheaper to go without than pay for the capability and the compensation 

Now THAT is just plain STUPID! 

Commercial inputs should have NO place in the defence of the country and if it came to a real war that would last about 1/2 millisecond I'm sure. If Air Tanker had got anywhere near their quoted schedule for the implementation of their contract I may have had some sympathy for them, but they are years late.

[kitnut617]

I really have to get my Airways 1/72 VC10 built ----

Got some Two-Six decals for it too, some anniversary scheme which escapes me for the moment --- 

[Captain Canada]

Sad day indeed...love that aeroplane. Defo the sexiest airliner to grace the skies ! Love the formation shot...wow

[GeorgeC]

I don't think the RAF A400Ms have the tanking options installed.

Very short sighted in my view and it will undoubtedly cost we taxpayers LOTS more when they realise their mistake and have to have them upgraded later on.

Not really the mistake is in the Voyager PFI contract as they have the exclusive rights for RAF Air to Air refuelling using their Voyagers, Atlas tankers would be a breach of contract so its cheaper to go without than pay for the capability and the compensation 

Now THAT is just plain STUPID! 

Commercial inputs should have NO place in the defence of the country and if it came to a real war that would last about 1/2 millisecond I'm sure. If Air Tanker had got anywhere near their quoted schedule for the implementation of their contract I may have had some sympathy for them, but they are years late.

Actually, the contract has run pretty much to time since signature, baring a little bit of unexpected 'dynamisim' between the Voyager and a receiving Typhoon.  However, it took 3-4 years to move between 'preferred bidder' and signed contract.  People will be able to completed doctorates on how that happened, many of which might even have a chapter on Railtrack.....