A400M starts tanker trials with RAF VC10

Airbus Military's A400M development aircraft "Grizzly 1" has begun in-flight refuelling receiver trials behind a Royal Air Force Vickers VC10 tanker. MSN1 performed a series of dry contacts with the VC10's fuselage-mounted hose drum unit near Toulouse. The current tests are scheduled to conclude late this week.

VC10 pressed into service with RAF's transport fleet

In another sign of the RAF's lack of resources, its 50-year old VC10s are flying passengers again after the RAF's Tristars have been grounded by technical faults. This despite the type being banned from flying passengers bar “exceptional circumstances”.