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Vickers VC10 jetliners fly last mission from RAF Brize Norton | Vickers VC10 jetliners fly last mission from RAF Brize Norton |
(34 minutes later) | |
The RAF's last Vickers VC10 jetliners have completed their final mission after 47 years of service. | |
The two aircraft took off from RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, at 10:00 BST and refuelled several planes air-to-air before landing at about 14:30. | |
They are to be dismantled and replaced by a fleet of new Voyager A330-200s. | They are to be dismantled and replaced by a fleet of new Voyager A330-200s. |
Wing Cdr Ronnie Trasler said it meant the base's 101 Squadron would still be at the forefront of air-to-air refuelling for "many years to come". | Wing Cdr Ronnie Trasler said it meant the base's 101 Squadron would still be at the forefront of air-to-air refuelling for "many years to come". |
On Wednesday the Princess Royal attended the base for the consecration parade of the squadron's new standard, which also marked the end of service life of the VC10. | On Wednesday the Princess Royal attended the base for the consecration parade of the squadron's new standard, which also marked the end of service life of the VC10. |
Largest aircraft | Largest aircraft |
On their final flight the VC10s - affectionately known in the RAF as the "Funbus" - refuelled a Eurofighter Typhoon, Tornado GR4, Hercules, Boeing E-3 Sentry as well as each other. | |
They also took part in flypasts over Newcastle, Warton, RAF Coningsby, RAF Marham, Birmingham, RAF Lossiemouth, RAF Leuchars, and Prestwick. | |
The VC10 was built as a commercial airliner but has been the mainstay of the RAF's air-to-air refuelling fleet. | The VC10 was built as a commercial airliner but has been the mainstay of the RAF's air-to-air refuelling fleet. |
It has also been used to deploy troops around the world. | It has also been used to deploy troops around the world. |
Its replacement, the Voyager, is the RAF's largest aircraft, with a 60m (197ft) wingspan, and is also nearly 60m long. | Its replacement, the Voyager, is the RAF's largest aircraft, with a 60m (197ft) wingspan, and is also nearly 60m long. |
The RAF bought 14 of the aircraft under a 27-year private finance initiative contract worth £10.5bn with the AirTanker consortium. | The RAF bought 14 of the aircraft under a 27-year private finance initiative contract worth £10.5bn with the AirTanker consortium. |