RAF Air-to-Air Refuelling

A Pictorial History

Keith Wilson

• Publisher: Amberley Publishing
• Year: 2019
• eBook ISBN: 9781445666051
• Edition: 0
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Aviation
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Once man had mastered the ability to fly, there came the desire to fly faster, higher and further with increased payloads. Some of the earliest experiments with air-to-air refuelling occurred in the 1920s and as long-distance record attempts progressed, Alan Cobham was in the thick of it. Cobham would later revolutionise air-to-air refuelling, initially with the 'Grapple-line looped-hose' system, along with the formation of Flight Refuelling Limited (FRL). By the 1930s, the emphasis was on transatlantic flights – especially by providing a faster postal service between Europe and the USA. With the advent of the Cold War, the need for air-to-air refuelling became a clear military requirement. When Boeing announced the Model 367-80, the USAF saw a unique opportunity and placed large orders for the KC-135A version. Meanwhile, the RAF also saw the necessity for tanker aircraft to support its new V-bomber force. Initially, surplus Valiant bombers were converted and later Vulcan and Victor aircraft too. Today, air-to-air refuelling is an essential part of modern warfare, providing both strategic and tactical tanking capabilities.This book is profusely illustrated with images from a variety of sources including the Air Historical Branch and the author's own extensive collection – many of which have never previously been published – and all are supported with a concise but informative text.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Introduction
• Acknowledgements
• The History and Development of AAR
• V-Bomber Conversions: Valiant, Vulcan and Victor
• Second-Hand Airliners and the Hastily Converted Hercules
• Buddy-Buddy Tanking
• The A330 Voyager MRTT
• AAR in Theatre
• AAR Equipment and Applications
• The Future of AAR
• Bibliography and Sources