Paul Filmer raids his archives once again, this time delving into the 1980s slides to bring us a look at RAF Brize Norton three decades ago.
RAF Brize Norton was yet another airfield that I wished I’d visited more often, as it was relatively easy to get to Oxford from London. As expected, this is VC10 heavy, given that this was the period the RAF were expanding the fleet.
Starting with a single shot from 1981, 115 Squadron Andover C.1PR XS596. I was always fascinated with these oversized HS748s with their kneeling rear undercarriage. They looked particularly good in this camo’ scheme before they were painted white.
115 Squadron Andover C.1PR XS596 – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
It later appeared in a raspberry-ripple colour scheme , but went back to white with QinetiQ, flying Open Skies operations out of Boscombe Down. She was eventually broken up.
Open Skies Andover C.1PR XS596 in 2006 – © Karl Drage – Global Aviation Resource
On to 1983 and the annual airshow, and a shot of Air Atlantique C-47B G-AMPO, which is now preserved at RAF Brize Norton. You can find a photo of this airframe flying for Intra Airways in my forthcoming Blackbushe scans article.
Air Atlantique C-47B G-AMPO – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
50 Squadron Vulcan B.2MRR XH560 was scrapped at RAF Marham in the mid ’80s, but the nose was saved by the Cockpit Collection in Rayleigh, Essex.
50 Squadron Vulcan B.2MRR XH560 – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
10 Squadron VC10 C.1 XV103 performing a fast flyby in the classic white colours. This airframe was later converted to C.1K standard and was eventually scrapped at St. Athan in 2002.
10 Squadron VC10 C.1 XV103 – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
Ex-British Airways VC10-1151 G-ASGD is seen here in a sorry state slowly being stripped for spares, before being completely broken up.
ex British Airways VC10-1151 G-ASGD – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
111 Squadron Phantom FG.1 XV574 is seen landing for the airshow using its braking parachute. This airframe was scrapped at RAF Wattisham in 1991.
111 Squadron Phantom FG.1 XV574 – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
Cabair AB-205B Jet Ranger G-JMVB was only five years old when I shot it. It still flies today as G-TCMM.
Cabair AB-205B Jet Ranger G-JMVB – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
Army Air Corps Scout AH.1 XR639; I’m not sure if this was on static display or just a visitor. They visited airshows sporadically back in the day, and this one was eventually scrapped.
Army Air Corps Scout AH.1 XR639 – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
241OCU BAe146 CC.1 ZD696 was one of a pair being evaluated by the RAF prior to ordering the type. This was the first time we’d seen a 146 in RAF colours. You can see another shot of it on the RAF Abingdon article from September 1983.
241OCU BAe146 CC.1 ZD696 – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
101 Squadron VC10 K.2 ZA143 is seen here in 1984 in the normal hemp scheme of the day. It was an ex-Gulf Air machine, A4O-VK, and was eventually scrapped in 2001.
101 Squadron VC10 K.2 ZA143 – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
Also in 1984, this ex-British Airways VC10 was in a very sorry state.
ex British Airways VC10 – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
Gulf Air VC10-1011 G-ARVJ was wet leased to the ruler of Qatar between 1975 and 1981 and flown by BOAC/BA crews. She never entered RAF service and was stripped for spares and scrapped in place.
Gulf Air VC10-1011 G-ARVJ – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
Another shot of ex-British Airways VC10-1151 G-ASGD a year later than the above.
ex British Airways VC10-1151 G-ASGD – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
The last two shots are from 1986. First 101 Squadron VC10 K.2 ZA141 in the unusual camo’ colour scheme – the only one that appeared like this. She was later painted in the standard hemp colours, was withdrawn from use in 1999 and scrapped at St. Athan in 2001.
101 Squadron VC10 K.2 ZA141 – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
101 Squadron VC10 K.2 ZA142 in the standard hemp scheme, was the last K.2 to be delivered and was ex-Gulf Air A4O-VI. This aircraft performed the final flight of the K.2 variant on 27 March 2001 and was later scrapped at St. Athan in 2004.
101 Squadron VC10 K.2 ZA142 – © Paul Filmer- Global Aviation Resource
