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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 will complete their final mission later after 47 years of service. 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 will refuel several planes air-to-air before landing. 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 aircraftLargest aircraft
On their final flight the VC10s - affectionately known in the RAF as the "Funbus" - will refuel a Eurofighter Typhoon, Tornado GR4, Hercules, Boeing E-3 Sentry as well as each other. 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 will also take part in flypasts over Newcastle, Warton, RAF Coningsby, RAF Marham, Birmingham, RAF Lossiemouth, RAF Leuchars, and Prestwick. 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.