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Air to air refueling

During my last year serving in the RAF based at RAF Leuchars, I had the chance to fly in a VC10 K2 on an air to air refueling sortie supporting Tornado and Phantom aircraft over the Shetland Isles. The F3 Tornado aircraft were conducting missile firing with the F4 Phantom filming the firings.
During my 12 years service I have flown in Victor, VC10, Tristar and Hercules tankers. I have also had two trips in the back seat of a Phantom F4 of 228 OCU. The first was whilst on detachment to RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus, the second was a transit trip from RAF Leuchars to RAF Wattisham. On that occasion we flew south over the North Sea and went supersonic, I threw up at Mach 1.25 :-)
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  • Refueling a Phantom.

    Refueling a Phantom.

  • A close up of a Tornado taking on fuel.

    A close up of a Tornado taking on fuel.

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

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

  • A better view of the three aircraft. I have had two trips in a Phantom whilst posted on 228 Operational Conversion Unit, August 1988 to January 1991.

    A better view of the three aircraft. I have had two trips in a Phantom whilst posted on 228 Operational Conversion Unit, August 1988 to January 1991.

  • A Tornado refuels off the port wing hose.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Three Tornados off the starboard wing.

  • Two Tornados in formation off the port wing.

    Two Tornados in formation off the port wing.

  • ZE289 again, this time on the port side.

    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.

    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.

    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!!

    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!!

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