The roar of 12 Rolls-Royce Conway engines was heard across the UK for the final time on 28 August when 101 Squadron paid tribute to the VC10 with a three aircraft flypast over a number of RAF stations.

“It’s a very big day for the squadron as it marks fifty years of the VC10, the 95^th anniversary of 101 Squadron and 30 years since the first K2 entered service in the air-air refuelling role,” explained Navigator Sqn Ldr Cat Thompson.

“The various bases have been selected because their histories are intertwined with the VC10. Firstly with the VC10 in the air transport role and the movements around the world and latterly as the receiver bases in support of Operations Telic, Herrick and Ellamy.”

Four months in the planning, Sqn Ldr Tim Kemp, head of the VC10 Training Flight, was the Project Officer for the event. He admitted that; “The hardest part was trying to achieve as much as we can despite the vagaries of the UK weather!”

Despite being undertaken the day after a Bank Holiday the weather did not hinder the plan which ran like clockwork, providing the last opportunity to see three of the iconic aircraft together in the air.

Leaving RAF Brize Norton 30 seconds apart, the three VC10s flew through the Lichfield Corridor across the Midlands to conduct air-air refuelling of Tornado GR4s over the North Sea and VC10 to VC10 tanking; the aircraft capable of both receiving and passing fuel whilst airborne.

“The first half of the event was Squadron training,” said Sqn Ldr Thompson. “We conducted fast jet and VC10-VC10 refuelling for currency. We have limited opportunities to do this and it’s a vital capability for deployed Operations being used to good effect on Operation Ellamy.”

Flying two large aircraft in close formation takes a high degree of skill.

“It is probably the trickiest thing you can do with two large aircraft,” explained Flt Lt Dan Brook. “There’s a lot of power and trim changes as the T-tail gets affected by the engines of the other VC10.

“Once you’re in the [air-refuelling] basket it’s a question of holding the references. The key is not to look at the basket but to concentrate on the markings on the other jet. It’s the pinnacle of flying this aircraft.”

With the air-refuelling serials complete the formation conducted flythroughs at Lossiemouth, Leuchars, Waddington, Cranwell, Coningsby and Marham, also overflying Boulmer and Linton-on-Ouse. The formation was also clearly visible to the residents of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Durham, York and Lincoln.

“The second half of the sortie provided route training, which is the second role of the squadron,” said Sqn Ldr Thompson. “We do this on a weekly basis, both in the UK and Europe, as it remains critical to maintaining our worldwide capability.”

On returning to Brize Norton the three aircraft flew in formation down the runway centreline before returning in echelon for a running break to land.

The lead aircraft was XR808, the oldest VC10 in the fleet. Affectionately known as Bob to its crews, the aircraft has accumulated in excess of 43,000 flying hours since entering service in 1966, initially in the air transport role before being converted to a tanker.

“Since 1984 the VC10 has proved itself as one of the best tankers around,” said Wg Cdr Kev Brookes, OC 101 Sqn.

The fly-past was a fitting tribute to a classic British aircraft and stalwart of the RAF for nearly half a century. The drawdown of the fleet will culminate in the final six examples of the type being withdrawn from service next year. In the meantime VC10s will continue to fly in support of operations in Afghanistan and the air defence of the Falkland Islands and the UK where one aircraft and crew are permanently at readiness to launch.

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RAF UK Mod press release. Photo: M. van Leeuwen Z.A.P.P. (Fairford July 2012)