Fastest Non-Stop England-Australia Flight - 1987
|
|
|
|
![]() |
|
On Wednesday, 8 April 1987 Vickers VC10 K3 air refuelling tanker ZA147 'F' (above) of the RAF's 101 Squadron departed Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, UK, for Perth, Australia. Aboard were two 101 Squadron crews, captained by the then OC 101 Sqn, Wg Cdr Jim Uprichard. The complete crew is shown below at Brize Norton prior to departure. From left to right, they are:
Also on board the flight, but not shown above, were a representative from the Paris-based Federation Aeronautique International who was responsible for certifying the world record and Mr Michael Cobham, the then Chairman of Flight Refuelling Ltd., makers of the VC10's in-flight refuelling equipment. MEng Leon Slee had previously served as a ground engineer on Vulcans and had the particular distinction of sitting in 1964 in the jump seat when an Avro Vulcan – also of 101 Squadron – set the previous world record 18h 10min for a UK-Australia non-stop flight. The Vulcan did not 'enjoy' the same level of comfort as the VC10! The 101 Squadron crest shows 'A Lion Rampant in a Turret', hence the lion mascot (known as Lenny).
|
|
![]() |
|
After demonstration flights in Canberra, the crew flew ZA147 to New Zealand for the RNZAF 50th anniversary, where they were the RAF's representatives along with a 216 Squadron Tristar. The aircraft is seen below in formation with four RNZAF A-4 Skyhawks and two RAAF F/A-18 Hornets flying over RNZAF Whenuapai.
|
|
![]() |
|
|
|
![]() |
|
(Photos: via Jim Uprichard) Back to the main Items of General Interest index
If this page appears without a menu bar at top and left, click here |