RAF TriStars Long-Haul Tanker Transports

摘要

In the wake of the Falklands War, the high I utilisation of the Victor tanker fleet and I the need to create an airbridge to the I islands meant the RAF required additional tanker capacity. The Ministry of Defence purchased six L-1011-500 TriStars from British Airways in December 1982 and three more from Pan American Airways in 1984. Extra underfloor fuel tanks were installed to increase fuel capacity from 211,2031b to 307,9861b. Four of the former British Airways aircraft were converted to mixed tanker-cargo configuration as KC.ls. These had a large fuselage cargo door added and two centreline-mounted Hose Drum Units (HDU) for refuelling installed on the rear fuselage underside. The variant carried up to 160 passengers and 40 tons of freight. Two others operated solely as K.l tankers. The three Pan Am airframes were retained in a passenger transport configuration with 260 passenger seats. Two were given the designation C.2 and ZE706 became a C.2A after installation of additional avionics. Operationally the fleet supported the Falklands garrison, participated in the first Gulf War, Balkan conflicts and later missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.