Lockheed TriStar (RAF)

The Lockheed TriStar was an air-to-air tanker and transport aircraft in service with the Royal Air Force (RAF) based on the Lockheed L-1011-500 TriStar airliner which entered service in 1984.

The aircraft were purchased after the Falklands War, after a requirement for additional air-to-air refueling operations had been identified. Of the nine in service, two were tankers (K1) with passenger space and also limited space for cargo loaded aft of the main deck; three were solely transport aircraft (C2); and the remaining four (KC1) could be used for either of the two roles. The TriStars formed the air-to-air refueling fleet of the RAF until replaced by the Airbus A330 MRTT under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) program.

The TriStar fleet was operated by No. 216 Squadron of RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. 216 Squadron was officially re-equipped with the Voyager KC2/3 on March 20th, 2014. All nine aircraft are currently in storage at Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome, awaiting preservation or sale.

Variants

 * TriStar K1: Conversion of former British Airways TriStar 500s for tanker/transport/cargo role (not fitted with a cargo door), two aircraft. Additional fuel tanks of 100,000 lb capacity fitted in forward and aft baggage holds. Main cabin palletised and quickly configurable in mixed passenger / freight mode to seat up to 187 passengers with baggage stored forward end main deck. Two Flight Refuelling Mk 17T Hose Drum Units in underside aft rear fuselage.
 * TriStar KC1: Conversion of former British Airways TriStar 500s for tanker/cargo/transport role, four aircraft.
 * TriStar C1: Former British Airways TriStar 500s operated as passenger aircraft before tanker conversion.
 * TriStar C2: Former Pan Am TriStar 500s operated as passenger aircraft, with capability for carrying cargo and also Aeromed, two aircraft.
 * TriStar C2A: One former Pan Am TriStar 500 operated as passenger aircraft, different avionics to the two C2s.

Users

 * United Kingdom
 * Royal Air Force

Related Development

 * Lockheed L-1011 TriStar

Comparable Aircraft

 * Airbus A330 MRTT
 * Boeing KC-767
 * Northrop Grumman KC-45 Mesotanker
 * McDonnell-Douglas KC-10 Extender
 * Vickers VC10