canberraman Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 (edited) Hi again, As promised here is the second instalment from my slide and digipix collection featuring the various liveries the RAF VC10s wore during their service from 1966-2013, together with some of the special or one off schemes that the type flew in. This, the earliest VC10 slide in my collection, shows 10 sqn VC10 C.1 XR810 at Brize Norton in September 1970. The aircraft wears the original Transport Command livery that the type was finished in on delivery to the RAF in 1966-1968 including the black radome. By 1968 Transport Command had been disbanded to be replaced by Air Support Command whose titles adorn this example. XR806 was the first VC10 built for the RAF and is seen here at Brize in June 1988 wearing the revised transport livery and with Royal Air Force titles. ZA141 was the first VC10 K2 tanker conversion for the RAF having previously seen service as standard VC10 Type 1101 G-ARVG/A40-VG with BOAC/BA, and latterly Gulf Air. It was the only one of the five K2 conversions completed at Filton to be delivered in the ‘V Bomber’ Dark Green/MSG/White livery, all others receiving the hemp over LAG scheme. This photo is of 101 sqn K2 ZA140/A at Brize wearing the ‘Empire Strikes Back’ nose inscription and mission marks applied to at least two K2 machines during their Op Granby/Gulf War 1 deployment to Riyadh in 1990-1991 A unique shot taken at Brize in March 2001 of all the extant RAF VC10 variants lined up together, headed by 101 Sqn K2 in the final overall camouflage grey scheme, behind which are a K3, K4 and C1K. ZA149 was one of the four ex East African Airways Super VC10s Type 1154 converted to Type 1164 K.3 tankers for 101 Sqn. It is seen here in April 1994 still wearing the rather understated 101 Sqn 75th anniversary markings first applied in 1992 In July 1994 ZA149 was sent to Chateauroux France for repainting. It emerged in the light blue-grey colour scheme shown here featuring a light blue ‘go faster’ stripe and Royal Air Force titling in white lettering. The scheme evidently did not find favour with 101 Sqn personnel who felt that it projected a ‘truckie’ image! Subsequently all other K3 and K4 were repainted in the overall grey scheme that the type wore until the type’s retirement in 2013. Here’s an unusual and rare photo of C.1K XR807 seen in 2005, wearing a yellow/black primer finish prior to receiving the type’s standard camouflage grey scheme. 2006 marked the 40th anniversary of the VC10 in RAF service. To mark the occasion, BAE systems sponsored these fin markings worn by C.1K XV104 and seen at RIAT that year. 2007 was 101 Sqn’s 90th anniversary and accordingly C.1K XV105 was adorned with these commemorative fin and engine markings. A further couple of shots of 101 Sqn C.1K XV104/U seen at Brize in May 2012 and featuring RAF Benevolent Fund crest and nose markings. The RAF acquired 14 Type 1151 Super VC10s after retirement from BA service with the intent of converting five to Type 1170 K4 tankers. For several years many of these were kept in open storage at RAF Abingdon prior to transit to Filton for the remedial works. This photo represents ZD235 – formerly G-ASGG, and taken at Abingdon. It went on to serve with 101 Sqn as ZD235/L until retirement and breaking up at St. Athan in 2002, with 49,561 hours on the frame. ZD242/P of 101 Sqn in the final RAF VC10 livery. This machine previously served with BOAC/BA as G-ASGP. XR808 ‘BOB’ received special markings in 2012 to mark 50 years of VC10 flying and 101 Sqn’s 95th anniversary. Upon retirement in 2013 it was dismantled and eventually arrived by road at the RAF Museum at Cosford where it has been preserved and remains as the largest exhibit in the collection. Hope these are of interest. Thanks for looking and c&c always welcome. Mark Edited January 22, 2020 by canberraman 18 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev67 Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 You just got to love the VC10 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 absolutely superb photos and notes too Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xffw45343tg Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 2 hours ago, kev67 said: You've just got to love the VC10 OK. I will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamp Donkey Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Fabulous collection - was lucky enough to jump a ride on one of these beauties - a day I will always cherish SD 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Wow! Thanks for taking the time to post such a wonderful collection of images of this beautiful aeroplane. In my humble opinion, the V-bomber scheme doesn't suit her. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberraman Posted January 22, 2020 Author Share Posted January 22, 2020 Thanks everyone for the likes and comments. I'm with you AD210, the V-Bomber scheme was not nice on a 10,and broke up her sleek lines. Hopefully my post may have generated some ideas for future modelling projects. Regards Mark 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwidave4 Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Thanks for sharing these lovely shots of a lovely aeroplane. They just don't make 'em like that anymore! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinxman Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Marvellous! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzn20 Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 8 hours ago, canberraman said: applied in 1992 Is it Brize Wednesday already ? Thanks , great collection and reminder of happy days at Brize . Love the Black Bomber Air Transport Command wasn't at Brize very long ,gone by Aug 67 Air Support Aug 67 -Sept 72 38 Group ,Strike from then on , no titles . 1st Grey Radome was 1978 / 79 . Big improvement ! 75 years of 101 Sqn scheme , Surprise ! I can't remember that , brain is a blank . I was still there but at Abingdon on a sick K2 for most of 92 Thanks for that lot Mark 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberraman Posted January 23, 2020 Author Share Posted January 23, 2020 16 hours ago, bzn20 said: Is it Brize Wednesday already ? Thanks , great collection and reminder of happy days at Brize . Love the Black Bomber Air Transport Command wasn't at Brize very long ,gone by Aug 67 Air Support Aug 67 -Sept 72 38 Group ,Strike from then on , no titles . 1st Grey Radome was 1978 / 79 . Big improvement ! 75 years of 101 Sqn scheme , Surprise ! I can't remember that , brain is a blank . I was still there but at Abingdon on a sick K2 for most of 92 Thanks for that lot Mark BZN20. Thanks for the update on the various Command and Groups under which the VC10 served at Brize. I've not seen many shots of the 75th anniversary scheme either, I guess it wasn't displayed very often. The holy grail scheme for which I would love to get a photo is XV102 which wore the short lived 1000 years of Oxfordshire special markings in 2007. Don't suppose you or any other members have a copy they could spare? Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzn20 Posted January 23, 2020 Share Posted January 23, 2020 2 hours ago, canberraman said: you I have a fin shot . PM your email Mark , I'll slide it across ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMB Posted January 23, 2020 Share Posted January 23, 2020 On 1/22/2020 at 11:31 AM, canberraman said: Hi again, As promised here is the second instalment from my slide and digipix collection featuring the various liveries the RAF VC10s wore during their service from 1966-2013, together with some of the special or one off schemes that the type flew in. This, the earliest VC10 slide in my collection, shows 10 sqn VC10 C.1 XR810 at Brize Norton in September 1970. The aircraft wears the original Transport Command livery that the type was finished in on delivery to the RAF in 1966-1968 including the black radome. By 1968 Transport Command had been disbanded to be replaced by Air Support Command whose titles adorn this example. Mark, This was not taken at Brize Norton. but in static at RAF Benson's Battle of Britain Day on 19th September 1970. The steps were brought over from Brize as none big enough at Benson. Also 'Transport Command' changed to 'Air Support Command on 1st September 1967. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzn20 Posted January 23, 2020 Share Posted January 23, 2020 10 minutes ago, AMB said: 1st September 1967. Formed 1st August 1967 . First AOC appointed that day .Transport Command was active to 1st Aug 1967 . Had to go digging ..According to a Transport Command book I have the Aircraft Fleet went on Air Support strength 11th Aug 1967 . Did it take 11 days to get the VC10 , Belfs, Brits etc. ? Bit confused now . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stever219 Posted January 23, 2020 Share Posted January 23, 2020 On 1/22/2020 at 11:31 AM, canberraman said: ZA141 was the first VC10 K2 tanker conversion for the RAF having previously seen service as standard VC10 Type 1101 G-ARVG/A40-VG with BOAC/BA, and latterly Gulf Air. It was the only one of the five K2 conversions completed at Filton to be delivered in the ‘V Bomber’ Dark Green/MSG/White livery, all others receiving the hemp over LAG scheme. Mark ZA141 was the only VC-10 to wear this scheme, all of the other K. 2s and '3s were delivered in Hemp/Light Aircraft Grey. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMB Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 On 1/23/2020 at 3:51 PM, bzn20 said: Formed 1st August 1967 . First AOC appointed that day .Transport Command was active to 1st Aug 1967 . Had to go digging ..According to a Transport Command book I have the Aircraft Fleet went on Air Support strength 11th Aug 1967 . Did it take 11 days to get the VC10 , Belfs, Brits etc. ? Bit confused now . Ah yes, I stand corrected. I was at Lyneham on 22nd July 1967 and the first Britannia had already had its titles changed! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 The most beautiful (subsonic) airliner of all time 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now