2 VC-10s almost formation flying!

[MartinM]

Just seen tow VC-10s flying over Wiltshire in a roughly north north-westerly direction (towards Lyneham from where we are) very close. We see a VC-10 probably once or twice a week here but never two together like that.
Do any of the aircraft boffins know why they might've been flying like this? Seemed very odd!

[ninja-lewis]

Air to Air refueling? (some VC10s have their own probe)

[tegwin]

Practicing evasive manuvers?

They fly in random close formations to reduce the risk of being hit by the teleban when taking off etc

[eharding]

MartinM said:

Just seen tow VC-10s flying over Wiltshire in a roughly north north-westerly direction (towards Lyneham from where we are) very close. We see a VC-10 probably once or twice a week here but never two together like that.
Do any of the aircraft boffins know why they might've been flying like this? Seemed very odd!

Because formation flying is fun, and those skills atrophy if you don't keep them current.

Granted, you don't see civilian jet traffic doing it very often.

On a practical note, moving about in close formation reduces controller workload - they only have one unit of traffic to worry about.

[MartinM]

I don't think one VC-10 would refuel another! Especially as they were flying pretty low over land.
I guess they both happened to be heading for Lyneham and for the reasons outlined above were flying close. We often see smaller jets flying in close proximity but never two big'uns especially the tankers!

[Magog]

Don't know if they do it at low level though.

[Simpo Two]

Did you have a prawn sandwich for lunch?

Friend of mine once did; it had some kind of food poisoning in it and suddenly he was seeing triple. A bit worrying as he was driving when it came on...

[clarkey]

I regularly see two overheard in Herefordshire, usually flying from north to south at about 10,000 feet. Make a lovely noise.

[anonymous-user]

Occasionally they launch two from Brize, I seem to remember people on the airshow message board mentioning it about 6 months ago.
Someone on the UKAR message board took some photos today at Brize:

http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=9&amp...

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 25th November 22:40

[perdu]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

a great link

beautiful aircraft the VC10s and the "shadow" linings and livery look marvellous on the hemp body colour

cheers for posting that

[baldy1926]

I'm shocked they managed to get 2 in service at the same time.I'd love to know what condition they are in now.
When i was a mover in the 80's they were looking a bit tired ti say the least.