Airbus A330 Voyager KC2 – ZZ336 Vespina, 10/101 Sqn RAF Brize Norton 2020 1/200

InFlight 200 1/200 scale IFKC2VOYAGERUK:  Airbus A330 (A330-243MRTT) Voyager KC2 serial ZZ336 “Vespina” of 10 and 101 Squadrons, RAF Brize Norton Oxfordshire 2020. With optional position magnetically attached undercarriage, certificate and display stand.

Length 11.75 inches Wingspan 12 inches.

The RAF Voyager zz336 “Vespina” has completed its refurbishment to provide a secure, cost-effective and suitably profiled transport for Government Ministers and the Royal Family. The aircraft now proudly displays the Union Flag alongside RAF markings and is ready to represent the UK across the globe. The smart new paint scheme will promote the UK around the world while transporting Ministers, senior members of the Royal Family and their delegations on trade, diplomatic and other missions.

After weeks of work, the Voyager returned to its home base RAF Brize Norton, where it will operate alongside the rest of the RAF Voyager fleet. Alongside its VIP Role, the aircraft remains certified for its original use, including Air-to-Air Refuelling and personnel transport. It can fly from and to almost any airport across the world that can take an Airbus A330, and its range allows it to reach much of the world without costly and time-consuming refuelling. The aircraft is known as Vespina and also often referred to as ZZ336, which is its military registration number. It was previously visually indistinguishable from the rest of the Operational Voyager Fleet in toned down grey camouflage. This external paint scheme will better reflect its VIP mission and contribution to ‘Global Britain’.

The Royal Air Force A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) fleet is actually owned and operated by a company called AirTanker Services (usually just known as AirTanker). It is contracted by the RAF to operate these aircraft on its behalf, and also uses them on other charter work. The aircraft fly for both 10 Squadron and 101 Squadron. On operational duties you will regularly see the Voyagers flying out over the North Sea to support fast jet training exercises, as well as the Falkland Islands. However, when on transport duties you will often find them visiting the RAF’s overseas airbases, like Akrotiri in Cyprus and on the air bridge to Ascension Island and the Falklands. Where troops are on missions or training exercises, the Voyagers will also be used in most cases to transport them to and from their home bases in the UK, which might not be Brize Norton.

The Airbus A330 is a medium- to long-range wide-body twin-engine jet airliner made by Airbus, a division of Airbus Group. Versions of the A330 have a range of 5,600 to 13,430 kilometres (3,020 to 7,250 nmi; 3,480 to 8,350 mi) and can accommodate up to 335 passengers in a two-class layout or carry 70 tonnes (154,000 lb) of cargo.

The A330’s origin dates to the mid-1970s as one of several conceived derivatives of Airbus’s first airliner, the A300. The A330 was developed in parallel with the four-engine A340, which shared many common airframe components but differed in number of engines. Both airliners incorporated fly-by-wire flight control technology, first introduced on an Airbus aircraft with the A320, as well as the A320’s six-display glass cockpit. In June 1987, after receiving orders from various customers, Airbus launched the A330 and A340. The A330 was Airbus’s first airliner that offered a choice of three engines: General Electric CF6, Pratt & Whitney PW4000, and Rolls-Royce Trent 700.

The A330-300, the first variant, took its maiden flight in November 1992 and entered passenger service with Air Inter in January 1994. Airbus followed up with the slightly shorter A330-200 variant in 1998. Subsequently-developed A330 variants include a dedicated freighter, the A330-200F, and a military tanker, the A330 MRTT.

Since its launch, the A330 has allowed Airbus to expand market share in wide-body airliners. Competing twinjets include the Boeing 767 and 777, along with the 787, which entered service in late 2011. The long-range Airbus A350 XWB was planned to succeed both the A330 and A340. The current A330 (referred to as the A330ceo (current engine option) since 2014) is to be replaced by the A330neo, which includes new engines and other improvements. As of November 2016, A330 orders stand at 1,634, of which 1,310 have been delivered and 1,282 remain in operation. The largest operator is Turkish Airlines with 60 A330s in its fleet.