Vickers VC10 variant
Vickers VC10 VC10 K.2
Three-point tanker converted from five ex-BOAC Type 1101s, with main-deck tanks. Theoretical maximum fuel load of 86 tonnes.
- 5
- Units built
- 18
- Passengers
History
From airliner to tanker
Studies to convert surplus commercial VC10s into aerial refuelling aircraft began in 1977. The RAF contracted British Aerospace to convert five former BOAC VC10s — the Type 1101s, designated K.2 — and four East African Airways Super VC10s, the K.3s.
Configuration
The conversion fitted extra tanks in the former passenger cabin, raising the theoretical fuel load to 86 tonnes; in practice maximum take-off weight capped the load before the tanks were full. Like every VC10 tanker, the K.2 carried two underwing pods and a centreline point in the rear freight bay, the hose drum unit, plus the nose probe. Nine K.2s and K.3s deployed in 1991 to Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Oman during the first Gulf War.
Multimedia
