Nimrod MR2 - The Nimrod MR2 is a maritime patrol aircraft used in the roles of maritime surface surveillance and anti-submarine warfare. The aircraft is fitted with radar, magnetic and acoustic detection equipment and carries a crew of 13. An internal bomb bay allows carriage of bombs, depth charges and up to nine torpedoes. Sidewinder AAM's can be carried on underwing pylons for self-defence. The Nimrod can also assist in search and rescue (SAR) operations by searching for survivors, dropping survival equipment and giving guidance to rescue craft at the scene.

Crew: 12 Wingspan: 35.0m (114' 10") Length: 38.63m (126' 9") Height: 9.08m Max Speed: 926 kph (575 mph) Max All Up Weight: 87,090 kg Endurance: 12 hrs Ferry Range: 9,265 kms Armament: Harpoon, Sidewinder, Sea Eagle, 9 x Mark 46 or Stingray Torpedoes, bombs Engines: 4 x Rolls Royce Spey RB 168-20 Mark 250 Turbofans

In Service with: (All RAF Kinloss) 120 Squadron - 6 x Nimrod MR2 201 Squadron - 6 x Nimrod MR2 206 Squadron - 6 x Nimrod MR2 42 (Reserve) Squadron - 3 x Nimrod MR2

	Nimrod R1 - The Nimrod R1 is a variant of the Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft and carries a highly sophisticated and sensitive suite of systems used for reconnaissance and the gathering of electronic intelligence. The aircraft's long loiter time and high speed dash capability make it ideally suitable for the task.
Wingspan: 35.0m (114' 10") Length: 36.19m (118' 9")	In service with: 51 Squadron - 3 x Nimrod R1, RAF Waddington

VC10 - The RAF's VC10 tanker force operates four variants of the aircraft: the C1K, K2, K3 and K4. The C1K carries up to 126 passengers or equivalent freight, and can be adapted for tanking with the addition of wing-mounted refuelling pods. The K2's, 3s and 4s all have wing refuelling points for fighters and a centreline refuelling capability for large aircraft. The K3s and K4s are Super VC10s; however the K4s lack the additional fuselage fuel tanks of the K3s.

Crew: 4 Wingspan: 44.55m (146' 2") Length: (C1K / K2) 48.36m (158' 8"), (K3 / K4) 52.32m (171' 8") Height: 12.04m Max Speed: 425 mph Range: 7,596kms All-up operational weight: 146,513kgs Load: 126 Passengers or 78 medical litters Engines: 4 x Rolls Royce Conway turbofans

In service with: 10 Squadron - 10 x VC10 C1K, RAF Brize Norton 101 Squadron - 7 x VC10 K3/K4, RAF Brize Norton 1312 Flight - 1 x VC10 K3/K4, RAF Mount Pleasant

Tristar - The RAF operates 3 variants of Tristar aircraft in the transport/tanker role. The C2s are dedicated transports and can carry 265 passengers and 16 tonnes (35,000 lbs) of freight over ranges in excess of 4,000 miles. The K1 and KC1 are dual role and capable of providing air-to-air refuelling from a pair of centreline fuselage hoses. The K1 can carry 204 passengers; however, the KC1 has a large freight door and can carry 20 cargo pallets, 196 passengers or a combination of freight and passengers.

Crew: 3 Wingspan: 50.17m (164' 6") Length: 50.09m (164' 2.5") Height: 16.87m Max Speed: 964 kph (600 mph) Range: 6,000 miles (9,600 kms) Engines: 3 x 22,680 kgs thrust Rolls Royce RB 211-524B4 turbofans. Passengers: 265 and 35,000 pounds of freight

In service with: 216 Squadron - 8 x Tristar K1/KC1/C2/C2A, RAF Brize Norton

Hercules - In the tactical transport role, the RAF operates a large fleet of C-130 Hercules. The aircraft can operate from short, unprepared strips and can airdrop troops or stores. The aircraft is capable of air-to-air refuelling and has the endurance to mount long-range strategic airlifts. Two versions are in service, the C1 and the C3. The latter, whose fuselage has been extended by 16 feet, has a hold capacity 30% greater than the C1. A single W2 variant is operated by the Meteorological Research Flight. To see more of 'Fat Albert' please click here.

Crew: 5 Wingspan: 40.41m (132' 7") Length: (C1) 29.79m (97' 9"), (C3) 34.69m (113' 9") Capacity: 92 troops or 62 paratroops or 74 medical litters or 19,686kg of freight Height: 11.66m Weight (empty): 34,287 kg Max Load: 45,093 kg Max speed: 618 kph (384 mph) Service Ceiling: 13,075m Enginess 4 x Allison T56-A-15 turboprops

In service with: (All RAF Lyneham) 24 Squadron - 11 x Hercules C1/C3/C4/C5 30 Squadron - 11 x Hercules C1/C3/C4/C5 47 Squadron - 11 x Hercules C1/C3/C4/C5 70 Squadron - 11 x Hercules C1/C3/C4/C5 57 (Reserve Squadron) - 5 x Hercules C3/C4/C5

BAe 146 - The BAe 146 CC2 was chosen to replace the Andovers of the Queen's Flight in August 1984. The aircraft is based on the civilian 100 series, but has additional fuel capacity and other modifications, including a specially designed Royal Suite. Wingspan: 26.8m (86' 5") Length: 26.18m (85' 10")

BAe 125 - The BAe125 and the BAe146 are employed on domestic and overseas flights in the rapid communications role for use by Royalty, Government and senior Military Officers. The BAe125 fleet comprises two CC2s (series 600), and six CC3s (series 700) all with Garrett turbofans. At an altitude of up to 41,000 feet, the CC3s can maintain a cruising speed of between 360 and 420 knots over a still air range of 2,000 miles. Wingspan: 14.33m (47') Length: 15.46m (50' 8.5")

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