Royal Air Force (RAF)

UK ‘swats’ Project Mosquito ahead of planned first flight

The UK MOD has revealed that Project Mosquito – a future uncrewed combat aircraft technology demonstration – will “not proceed beyond the design phase”, following a ‘detailed review' of the technical demonstrator by the RAF Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO)

A VC10 C1(K) refuelling a Storm Shadow-armed Tornado GR4.  Key Collection Feature Premium

Tanking and Transport, the VC10 Way

In a career that stretched almost 50 years, the RAF’s VC10s supported the UK’s military around the world between 1967 and 2013. Paul E Eden reviews the type’s service.

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Gulf War VC10s in Operations Granby and Desert Storm

Stephen Skinner details British VC10 involvement, as both a tanker and transport platform, in Operations Granby and Desert Storm

The VC10 could refuel a wide variety of UK and NATO aircraft. This included the Sea Harrier FRS.1, which could be fitted with a detachable in-flight refuelling probe Crown Copyright/Sgt Rick Brewell ABIPP Feature Premium

10 Sqn VC10s – commanding officer insights

The RAF’s air transport fleet of VC10 C.1s became dual-purpose tankers in the 1990s, adding aerial refuelling to the roles of 10 Sqn. Dr Kevin Wright talks with Gp Capt Tony Gunby (ret’d) about his tour as the squadron’s commanding officer

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The turbulent development of the Handley Page Victor

Going supersonic during a test flight and a number of deadly crashes were just some of the events that made development of the Handley Page Victor turbulent. Glenn Sands pays tribute to the men who designed and tested the crescent-winged wonder

Inside RAF VC10 Afghanistan and Iraq operations

In a soon-to-be-released special publication, Stephen Skinner details RAF VC10 Afghanistan and Iraq operations, where the quadjet saw frontline action in both the air-to-air refuelling and transport roles.

Externally similar to the Venom 2, except for its inset tailplane and symmetrical radome, the N.F.3 has powered ailerons of increased chord and many other refinements to improve both flying and servicing characteristics. Feature Premium

Behind the scenes of an RAF Venom squadron in 1955

‘The Aeroplane’ visited RAF Waterbeach to see 253 Squadron operating the Venom N.F.2 all-weather fighter and published its report in the December 23, 1955 issue

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Operation Pedestal: the incredible mission to resupply Malta

With 2022 marking the 80th anniversary of Operation Pedestal, Joseph Galea Debono details the incredible operation to resupply the Mediterranean island of Malta

The two VC10s on the final air-to-air refuelling mission perform a flypast at their home base of RAF Brize Norton.  Mark Kwiatkowski Feature Premium

Last days of the VC10

After 47 years of service the RAF retired the Vickers/BAC VC10 from service, as reported in the November 2013 issue of Aviation News

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The dramatic role of RAF Hurricanes in the Battle of El Alamein

This year marks the 80th anniversary of World War Two’s pivotal Battle of El Alamein in North Africa. Andrew Thomas reflects on the dramatic role played by Hawker Hurricane ‘tank busters’ from the RAF’s 6 Squadron