RAF VC-10s: no PAX flts till further notice...

[Stratofreighter]

Am rather interested in the specific reasons why...
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... -vc10.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

DATE:19/01/10

SOURCE:Flight International

Royal Air Force suspends passenger operations with VC10 fleet
By Craig Hoyle

The Royal Air Force has been required to halt passenger operations with its Vickers VC10 fleet, but says the step will have no effect on its ability to support an "airbridge" between the UK and Afghanistan.

"Carriage of passengers on RAF VC10s has been temporarily suspended," the service says, while confirming that the measure was introduced on 15 January.

Justification for the move has been attributed to "an ongoing review of the RAF's air transport and communications [aircraft] fleet", says the RAF. "There are some areas where further investigation must be done to ensure that our airworthiness arrangements are at least as effective as for civilian aviation," it adds.

The RAF is the only remaining operator of the Rolls-Royce Conway-engined VC10, and has a 15-strong fleet, according to Flightglobal's MiliCAS database.
The oldest of the UK's VC10s was delivered in 1966 and operations are expected to continue until around 2015.

[Le Addeur noir]

Certain British military forums question the RAF Tristar and VC-10 fleet's safety.

They are known as death traps in some quarters.