The RAF's VC10 tanker force operates four variants of the aircraft: the C1Ks are military transport aircraft, carrying 120 passengers or freight, and can be adapted for tanking with the addition of wing-mounted refuelling pods; the K2s are ex-civil VC10s and the K3s and K4s are ex-civil Super VC10s although the K4s lack the additional fuselage fuel tanks of the K3s. The K2s, 3s and 4s all have wing refuelling points for fighters and a centerline refuelling capability to provide additional support for large aircraft.

Powerplant: Four Rolls-Royce Conway 301 turbofans of 22,500lb st

Span: 146ft 2in (44.55m)

Length: C1K: 158ft 8in (48.36m), K2: 158ft 8in (48.36m); K3/K4 171ft 8in (52.32m) (excluding nose probe)

Cruise Speed: C1K: 518 mph (830km/h) at 38,000ft, K2/K3/K4: 580mph (928km/h) at 38,000ft

Recognition: A long circular narrow-body fuselage with low swept wings set well back towards the tail, giving the appearance of having a very long forward fuselage. The pairs of podded engines are mounted on the sides of the rear fuselage below the swept 'T' tail unit. There is a large front port-side freight door. The C1Ks have underwing podded hose/drum units for in-flight refuelling.