Vickers VC10 C.1
Vickers-Armstrongs · United Kingdom · first flew 1966 · transport aircraft
The Vickers VC10 C.1 is the RAF transport variant of the VC10 airliner, purpose-modified for strategic military airlift with a reinforced floor, side-loading freight door, and combined passenger-cargo capability. It served as a principal RAF long-range transport from 1966 through to the 2000s.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × turbofan, tail-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | RAF strategic transport with wide-body-style fuselage |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Four rear-mounted turbofan engines clustered at the tail
- T-tail with clean unobstructed swept wing
- RAF strategic transport with wide-body-style fuselage
Unmistakable four-engine rear-mounted cluster and T-tail distinguish the VC10 from all contemporary airliners; the RAF grey colour scheme and roundels identify the military variant.
Specifications
- The Vickers VC10 C.1 has a length of 48.36 m (159 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 44.55 m (146 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 933 km/h (580 mph).
- Typical crew: 4 flight crew.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Derived from the civil Super VC10, the VC10 C.1 was ordered in 1961 to meet an RAF requirement for a fast long-range transport capable of operating from short and high-altitude airfields. Fourteen aircraft were delivered to No. 10 Squadron RAF at Brize Norton, entering service in 1966. They supported British forces worldwide throughout the Cold War era.
Variants
The C.1K was a tanker-transport conversion fitted with hose-drum units for air-to-air refuelling while retaining troop-carrying capacity. The VC10 K.2, K.3, and K.4 were dedicated tanker conversions of ex-civil airframes.
Where you'll see it
The VC10 C.1 served the RAF with distinction for over three decades, finally retiring in 2013 when the Airbus A330 Voyager assumed the strategic transport and tanker roles.
Related aircraft
- Vickers VC10
- Vickers Vanguard
- Vickers Viscount 800
- Vickers Valiant
- Bell X-22
- Boeing VC-96
- Dornier Do 28D Skyservant
- Dornier Do 28D-2 Skyservant
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