Air to air refueling

Refueling a Phantom.

A close up of a Tornado taking on fuel.

A Tornado and two Phantoms off the starboard wing of the VC10.

A better view of the three aircraft.

A Tornado refuels off the port wing hose.

A Tornado takes on fuel from the starboard wing hose whilst three more Tornados fly in formation and a Phantom turns in to join from below.

In glorious high altitude sunshine, four F3 Tornados fly in formation with the VC10 off the port side.

Whilst a Tornado tops up, another is nearby with two Phantoms keeping company.

One of the two port side VC10 Rolls-Royce Conway Mk 301 Turbofan engines is clearly visible with a Tornado tanking and a Phantom far off to the side.

Out on the starboard side the nearest Tornado refuels whilst it and the tanker are in a left hand turn. The three other Tornados bank and turn also.

With land visible in the distance below, an F3 takes on fuel off the starboard side.

All the internal windows are perspex with the exception of the window in the door at the back on both sides just in front of the engines, these are glass. Looking through the glass gives a clearer view than the perspex. ZE289 BA turns with the VC10 in stunning light. One of the best pictures I have ever taken.

Three Tornados off the starboard wing.

Two Tornados in formation off the port wing.

ZE289 again, this time on the port side.

Two Tornados in formation with the tanker. None of the F3s had under wing fuel tanks so they needed refueling more than the F4s.

ZE258 is wearing the markings of 43 Sqn, the "Fighting Cocks" based at RAF Leuchars.

Looking out over the starboard wing with two F3 Tornados in formation. What a fantastic time I had and I shot over 2 rolls of 36 exposure films. If this was done in the digital age I would have taken several HUNDRED shots!!