Lockheed L-1011 Tristar Aircraft ~ forcesmilitary

Lockheed L-1011 Tristar Aircraft

The RAF has a mixed fleet of nine Lockheed L-1011 Tristar aircraft, which are operated by No 216 Squadron, based at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, in the AT and AR roles. The aircraft, which previously saw airline service when they were owned by British Airways and Pan-Am, were purchased by the RAF in the early 1980s. The six ex-British Airways aircraft were modified by Marshall of Cambridge (Engineering) between 1982 and 1984 into AR tanker aircraft, with a twin, centreline hose-and-drogue configuration. The installation included the addition of under-floor fuel tanks which increased the available fuel load by 96,800lbs.

This allows a total fuel load of 308,000lbs to be carried, which can be used by the aircraft itself, or given away to receivers. AR operations can be monitored by a CCTV system, which was added under the rear of the fuselage. Although the aircraft has two hose-drum refuelling units, only one can be used at a time, thus restricting AR to single-point refuelling. On a typical AR flight from the UK to Cyprus, or Goose Bay (Canada), the KC1 can refuel up to four fast-jet aircraft and simultaneously carry up to 31 tonnes of passengers and/or freight. The addition of a large, fuselage freightdoor and a roller-conveyor system allow outsized palletised cargo to be carried. Although the K1 model does not have the freight door, it retains a passengerseat fit of 187 in the rear cabin, with baggage carried in the forward cabin.

L-1011 Tristar Aircraft

The three ex-Pan Am aircraft are largely unchanged from their airline days and operate in the passenger role, carrying up to 266 passengers. These aircraft are designated C2 and C2A and are used extensively for transporting troops to world-wide destinations in support of exercises and operations. All versions of the Tristar aircraft can operate in the aeromedical evacuation role, including the option of installing a full stretcher fit if required for the repatriation of casualties. All RAF Tristars have a comprehensive avionics suite, which is undergoing modernisation. As part of this programme the aircraft are being fitted with equipment which will enable them to operate as a JTIDS (Joint Tactical Information Distribution System) station and a radio relay station in areas of intensive military operations.

Lockheed L-1011 Tristar is Long-range passenger carrying, freight carrying and air refuelling aircraft. Capable of flying for up to 14 hours, with a range of 7000nmls. K1s and KC1s have a combined Air Transport (AT) and Air Refuelling (AR) capability. Centreline drogue refuelling equipment can transfer fuel at up to 4200lbs/min. Able to operate in the aeromedical casualty evacuation role with a full stretcher fit.