After over 45 years of service with the Royal Air Force air transport and air-to-air refuelling (AT/AAR) fleets, 3 VC10 C1K aircraft have been flown to Bruntingthorpe airfield, Leicestershire, and into retirement.
The withdrawal of three of the remaining 12 VC10s, serial numbers XV101 (Tail letter ‘S’), XV102 (‘T’) and XV107 (‘X’), is the latest stage of the planned drawdown of the enigmatic but ageing VC10 fleet prior to its replacement by the Airbus A330 Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft, the highly capable and state-of-the-art AT/AAR asset entering service this year. The remaining VC10s are scheduled to undergo a gradual withdrawal until the final aircraft is retired in March 2013. The VC10 C Mk 1 was built for the RAF by Vickers in Weybridge, Surrey and was first delivered to the RAF in 1966, the first RAF Transport Command VC10 sortie being flown by 10 Squadron from RAF Fairford.
Beloved by the personnel who fly and maintain it, the VC10 is an incredibly versatile aircraft. It has been heavily utilised in the passenger, cargo, VIP transport, and aeromedical evacuation roles. When 101 Squadron first flew the VC10 in 1984, AAR was added to the aircraft’s capabilities. Since then, the VC10 has become a superb AAR platform, and over Iraq and Afghanistan gained the accolade of being and still is the US Navy’s tanker of choice.
From 1997 all 4 types of VC10 were shared by both 10 and 101 Squadrons at RAF Brize Norton. Following the disbandment of 10 Squadron in October 2005, all VC10 aircraft were subsumed into 101 Squadron, which became the world’s sole operator of the VC10.
Affectionately known as the ‘Vickers Funbus’, the VC10 has been involved in almost every major theatre of UK military operations since it came into service including Op AGILA (Rhodesia, 1979), Op CORPORATE (Falklands, 1982), Op GRANBY (1991 Gulf War), Op ENGADINE (Kosovo 1999), Op PALLISER (Sierra Leone, 2000), Op VERITAS (Afghanistan 2001), Op TELIC (2003 Gulf War) and Op HERRICK (Afghanistan 2009-present). One aircraft has also been based in the Falkland Islands since 1996, supporting the air defence of the South Atlantic Islands. More recently, the three retiring aircraft have all been amongst the VC10s providing high intensity AAR operations required to support Op ELLAMY in the skies over Libya.
All VC10 aircraft are named after recipients of the Victoria Cross (VC). XV101 displays the name of Major Lanoe Hawker. The award of the Victoria Cross was made to Major Lanoe Hawker for most conspicuous bravery and very great ability on 25 July 1915. When flying alone he attacked 3 German aeroplanes in succession. The first managed eventually to escape, the second was driven to the ground damaged, and the third, which he attacked at a height of about 10,000 feet, was driven to earth in British lines, the pilot and observer being killed. The personal bravery shown by this officer was of the very highest order, as the enemy’s aircraft were armed with machine guns, and all carried a passenger as well as the pilot.
XV102 carries the name of Wing Commander Guy Gibson. Wing Commander Gibson is best remembered for the raid on the Moehne and Eder Dams. He personally made the initial attack on the Moehne Dam, descending to within a few feet of the water and taking the full brunt of the anti-aircraft defences. After he had completed his attack he then circled very low for 30 minutes, drawing the enemy fire on himself, so that the following aircraft would have an easier run into the Dam. When the attack on the Moehne was complete and the dam was breached, Wing Commander Gibson then led the remaining aircraft to the Elder Dam where once again, with complete disregard for his own safety, he repeated his tactics and once more drew on himself the enemy fire so that the attack could be successfully completed. Wing Commander Gibson was eventually killed on 19 September 1944 whilst flying a Mosquito on a raid against Rheydt. He crashed in Holland on the flight home.
XV107 bears the name of Flight Lieutenant James Nicolson. Flight Lieutenant Nicolson was Fighter Command’s only VC in the Second World War. His decoration was awarded after an engagement with the enemy near Southampton on 16 August 1940, when his aircraft was hit by 4 cannon shells, 2 of which wounded him while another set fire to the gravity tank. When about to abandon his aircraft because of the flames in the cockpit, he sighted an enemy fighter. This he attacked and shot down; although as a result of staying with his aircraft he sustained serious burns to his hands, face and legs. In order to retain the tradition of 101 Sqn honouring the VC recipients, the names are being moved to remaining airframes in the VC10 fleet.
The extensive service career of the VC10 has resulted from the flexibility and capability of the airframes and the advanced original design of the aircraft. In total, XV101 has flown 43,361 hours and completed 21,924 landings, XV102 41,837 hours and 22,063 landings and XV107 39,387 hours and 19,824 landings; this has represented excellent value for money over the 43 year operational life of the aircraft.
The current OC101 Squadron, Wing Commander Kev Brookes commented
A further 3 “Glamour Girls”, as they were first known by Transport Command, have now been withdrawn from service after 45 years with the Royal Air Force. They are however a true testament to the excellence of British design and engineering. Having served on both 10 and 101 Sqn over the years these wonderful aircraft have undertaken numerous roles including transporting VIPs, carrying troops, moving freight and aeromed. These versatile aircraft ended their time as an Air to Air refueling aircraft on 101 Squadron and played a vital role during Operation ELLAMY in 2011. As 10 Sqn standup with the highly capable Voyager aircraft over the next few months, 101 Squadron will unfortunately see more of its VC10s retire as it approaches its out of service date in Mar 2013. Once the biggest and heaviest aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force the VC10 will always be remembered by the pilots, both civilian and military, for its positive handling and smoothness of flight, yet with its reserve of power it would still handle like a fighter. It is also held in high regard by her engineers for itsreliability and the satisfaction of working with British engineering at its best, and by passengers for its still enviable levels of comfort and speed. The remaining VC10s on 101 Squadron certainly continue to live up to the VC10 moto Silent, Swift, Superb!
Joining the crew for XV101’s final flight was Air Commodore Ager. He said:
“I have had a long association with the VC10 in both the Air Transport and Air-to-Air Refuelling roles, and flown over 3000 hrs across all variants. Both 10 Squadron and 101 Squadron have been at the forefront of military operations since the aircraft’s delivery in 1966; it is remarkable to think that, 45 years later, the VC10 is still as relevant and essential to enabling expeditionary operations. Over the last year in particular, 101 Squadron has added to its challenges in meeting Op HERRICK, South Atlantic and National AAR commitments with those of Op ELLAMY. At the peak of this surge, VC10 serviceability was probably as good as it was when the aircraft were first delivered – a remarkable achievement by all those who have helped to maintain and support the capability. While it is sad to see the VC10 Force enter its final year of service, we should also not loose sight of the fantastic capability that will be delivered by the KC-30 VOYAGER, which will, I am sure, have an equally illustrious period of service with the RAF’s Air Mobility Force.”
RAF/MOD Crown Copyright 2012.
