Jump to content

RAF VC10 liveries and special schemes over the years


canberraman

Recommended Posts

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.

 

xr810%202a1_edited-3_zpspyik5d8n.jpg

 

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.

 

xr806a_edited-2_zps9vutbipg.jpg

 

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.

 

ZA141n_edited-1_zpst9t2ohof.jpg

 

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.

 

za140e1_edited-3_zpscx5a4npx.jpg

 

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

 

za142d1_edited-2a1_edited-1_zpskx0mx0uo.

 

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.

 

ZA149T_edited-1_zpsattwoven.jpg

 

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

 

za149a_edited-1a_zpskhzocizq.jpg

 

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.

 

XR807W1_zpsweppcrjy.jpg

 

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.

 

XV104H1_edited-1_zpslb4trbkz.jpg

 

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.

 

xv105p%202a_edited-2a_zpsqohotjd8.jpg

 

2007 was 101 Sqn’s 90th anniversary and accordingly C.1K XV105 was adorned with these commemorative fin and engine markings.

 

XV104Mm_edited-1_zpsxzxphsmg.jpg

 

KT0C0747a_zpsut7ycpuq.jpg

 

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.

 

ZD235K5_edited-2_zpsr5m5juqr.jpg

 

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.

 

ZD242t1_edited-3_zpswumvp0zc.jpg

 

ZD242/P of 101 Sqn in the final RAF VC10 livery. This machine previously served with BOAC/BA as G-ASGP.

 

XR808R1_zps0eqtfzeu.jpg

 

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 by canberraman
  • Like 18
  • Thanks 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

 

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

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

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.

 

xr810%202a1_edited-3_zpspyik5d8n.jpg

 

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.   

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

On 1/22/2020 at 11:31 AM, canberraman said:

 

 

ZA141n_edited-1_zpst9t2ohof.jpg

 

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.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
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!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...