Vickers VC10 K.3 Tanker
Vickers / BAE Systems · UK · first flew 1982 · transport aircraft
The VC10 K.3 is a three-point tanker conversion of the Super VC10 airframe, equipped with two wing-mounted HDU pods and a centreline unit to refuel RAF fast jets using probe-and-drogue.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | RAF grey tactical scheme; No. 101 Squadron markings; fuselage often carries additional fuel tanks internally |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- HDU (Hose Drum Unit) pod under each wing and a centreline hose unit — no passenger windows in service configuration
- Probe-and-drogue refuelling marked by characteristic wing pods with trailing drogues on approach
- RAF grey tactical scheme; No. 101 Squadron markings; fuselage often carries additional fuel tanks internally
Identifiable by wing HDU pods at mid-span and absence of passenger windows; differs from the K.2 (shorter Standard fuselage) by the Super VC10's longer body.
Specifications
- The Vickers VC10 K.3 Tanker has a length of 52.32 m (172 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 44.55 m (146 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 933 km/h (580 mph).
- Typical crew: 4-5.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Converted from ex-BOAC Super VC10s in the early 1980s, the K.3 entered service with No. 101 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton and provided strategic tanking through the Falklands, Gulf War, and Balkans operations until 2013.
Variants
The K.2 and K.4 used Standard VC10 and ex-East African Super VC10 airframes respectively; all three marks flew alongside each other at Brize Norton.
Where you'll see it
No. 101 Squadron operated all VC10 tanker marks; the type was replaced by the Airbus Voyager (A330 MRTT) in 2013.
Related aircraft
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