4482 x 3361 px | 37,9 x 28,5 cm | 14,9 x 11,2 inches | 300dpi
Data acquisizione:
13 marzo 2016
Ubicazione:
RAF Bruntingthorpe Leicester UK
Altre informazioni:
During its service Lockheed TriStar, fondly known as ‘Timmy’ by its crews, formed the backbone of long range air transport and air-to-air refuelling, participating in nearly every British conflict since it was brought into service. The fleet of nine aircraft were acquired as a direct result of the Falklands conflict and the need to provide support to forces in the South Atlantic and to bolster the air-to-air refuelling fleet. A fleet of nine aircraft were acquired as a direct result of the Falklands conflict and the need to provide support to forces in the South Atlantic and to bolster the air-to-air refueling fleet. TriStars had provided air-to-air refuelling to fast jet aircraft operating over Afghanistan and Libya and provided the vital air bridge, transporting troops and cargo to Iraq and Afghanistan. Over a period of eight years 216 Sqn flew 1642 times to Afghanistan, carrying a quarter of a million passengers each way and travelling a total distance equivalent to flying around the world 640 times. The last operational mission of a TriStar was on 24th March 2014. The TriStar’s duties have been taken over by the Voyager which now provides state-of-the-art air-to-air refuelling in support of the Quick Reaction Force that protects the UK and Falkland Island airspace 365 days a year. The remaining four TriStar aircraft left RAF Brize Norton for the final time on 25th March 2014, finally touching down at Bruntingthorpe Airfield, Leics for disposal.