Last VC10 K3

ZD241 was in the Falklands until 8 March. It has been replaced by ZA150, I expect that it too will fly back to the UK before being decommissioned.

I suspect it will come back. A VC10 isn’t something you can just park up and abandon in these environmentally-conscious times.

One does wonder the fate that will befall the Ten in the Falklands, is it worth the fuel to bring it home for scrapping, a fate that befell the Phantom. And not exactly a lot of museums you can donate it too in the region.

Great shot! What a shame though, for me this was the most interesting 10 in the fleet, especially with its history, I wonder how many hours it had clocked up by the time it landed?

It was only a delay for a day… ZD241 has now been retired to Bruntingthorpe, landing for the final time on 21st March around 12:48LT. Photo below by Alan Kenny.

As it turns out ZD241’s last flight was canceled today, it is now scheduled to go to Brunty either tomorrow or the day after. Updates may appear in this topic on my forum if you’re interested in the details: http://www.vc10.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=544&start=195
I’m hoping someone will be able to get a few shots of its last flight, it will be the end of an era as the last BOAC Super VC10, ex G-ASGM, touches down for the last time!

Edited to add: the three ship did fly in August 2012 but XV108 stood in for ZD241 as the K4 was delayed in maintenance, it did perform some engine runs on the detuners on that day but that was all the noise it managed to contribute to the festivities. There’s a nice photo about halfway down this page: http://www.vc10.net/History/RAFVC10s.html

AirSpace is at Duxford. I presume you mean Classic Air Force? Confusing I know, as the Coventry (now Newquay) lot seem to change their name every year.

what was I on about? you are correct. I must have just woken up!

Thanks Jelle, so we should be comiserating about the last K.4!
I didn’t realise it was ZD241s last sortie today, is its fate confirmed yet?
Did the three variants formation take place at all?

Have K.3s ZA147, ‘148 & ‘150 all been removed from service then?
I was under the impression that they, C.1K XR808 and K.4 XD241 make up the current fleet?

That’s correct, although ZD241 will (if the plans worked out) have made its last landing about three hours ago, leaving ZA147, ‘148, ‘150 (currently at the Falklands) and XR808 as the last four active VC10s.

The news release can, if read quickly, give the impression that this was the last K3, but this is incorrect. Still sad to see that these K3s are going too…

Photo by Chris Sandham-Bailey.

I would guess Airspace have looked into getting one? Ideal with their new Varsity…

AirSpace is at Duxford. I presume you mean Classic Air Force? Confusing I know, as the Coventry (now Newquay) lot seem to change their name every year.

Dear old 149 – flew lots on her in the 80s on AAR trials. Such a shame

Ahhh ZA149 ex East African Airways and with her sister ZA150 the only two Tens that had an extra 68psi switch fitted in the cabin compressor ducts….

Odd the things you remember from your courses

The last RAF VC10 K3 has flown to Bruntingthorpe for dismantling.
http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/archive/last-flight-of-vc10-k3-19032013
mmitch.

Have K.3s ZA147, ‘148 & ‘150 all been removed from service then?
I was under the impression that they, C.1K XR808 and K.4 XD241 make up the current fleet?

Have heard that the Scottish group are after the sole surviving K.4, which would be great news if they succeed.

I was expecting to see one at Manchester, it would be a perfect accompaniment to the Concorde, Nimrod, Trident, 146, ATP et al

re;

I would guess Airspace have looked into getting one? Ideal with their new Varsity…

Dear old 149 – flew lots on her in the 80s on AAR trials. Such a shame

Thanks TonyT 🙂

Will

XR808 will go to Cosford, last Ten will be preserved as runner at Brunty, believe the Nimrod lot up in Scotland are trying to save one too.

Which aircraft are being saved? Do we know?