Roden Vickers Super VC10 K3 Type 1164 Tanker 1/144 Scale ROD 327

The RAF had first started operating VC10’s in 1966 with No 10 Squadron in the Transport and VIP role operating Worldwide; The VC10 had the honor on many occasions to Transport Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and other members of the Royal family, as well as Government ministers and Military chiefs, although its main task was troop carrying as well as disaster relief flight and medical evacuation.

In 1977 the RAF acquired the recently retired BOAC & East African aircraft to meet its Air to Air refuelling requirements. A total of 4 aircraft were converted to K3 Tankers (the subject of this model) The K3 was equipped with fuselage fuel tanks, mounted in the former passenger compartment, and could carry up to 78 tonnes of fuel. The K3 was a three-point tanker, with fuel being dispensed from the two wing-hoses (pods) or from the single fuselage-mounted Hose Drum Unit (HDU). The wing hoses could transfer fuel at up to 1000kgs per minute and were used to refuel tactical fast-jet aircraft. The HDU could transfer fuel up to 2000kgs per minute and was usually used to refuel ‘heavy’ strategic aircraft, although it could also be used by fast-jet aircraft. The aircraft was also fitted with a nose mounted refueling probe.

The VC10 served in all recent conflicts including the Falklands war in 1982 in which it also refueled the Vulcan bomber sent to bomb Stanley Airfield (Operation Black Buck) In 1991 VC10’s were part of operation desert storm and later they saw action in Afghanistan against the Taliban as well as Refueling NATO aircraft during the air-strikes against Serbia. The last operations the VC10’s took part in was Libya in 2011.

In 2013 the RAF retired it VC10’s from Military service, replacing them with the Airbus A330 MRTT Tanker. The final flight of a VC10 was on the 25th September 2013. The VC10 has taken its place in History and several are preserved in UK Museums. A fitting retirement, for a true RAF Veteran.