Lockheed TriStar (RAF)

The Lockheed TriStar is a retired air-to-air tanker and transport aircraft formerly in service with the Royal Air Force (RAF). All are converted civilian Lockheed L-1011-500 TriStar airliners—previously operated by British Airways and Pan American World Airways—and entered service with the RAF in 1984.

The converted aircraft were purchased following the Falklands War, after a requirement for additional air-to-air refuelling (AAR) 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 refuelling fleet of the RAF until replaced by the Airbus A330 MRTT under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) programme. It was retired in 2014.

The TriStar fleet was operated by No. 216 Squadron of RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. No. 216 Squadron was officially disbanded on 20 March 2014 and flew its last sorties with the TriStar on 24 March 2014. Three aircraft were scrapped in 2014 for spare parts shortly after retirement. The remaining six aircraft are currently located at Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome, having been purchased by AGD Systems Corp in anticipation of a later sale. The aircraft are being maintained by GJD Systems to a fully airworthy condition.