Originally with BOAC as G-ARVJ. Operated by British Airways for the State of Qatar, in Gulf Air Colours, from 1975-81. Transferred to MoD as 8977M, then to the RAF with serial ZD493 allocated. Never flown in its originally intended RAF training role, but used as a back-up for maintenance and repair work.

Close-up of this ex Gulf Air VC-10, which was used at Brize Norton as a spares ship for the RAF's VC10 fleet. It was formerly G-ARVJ.

Gulf Air G-ARVJ was bought by the RAF and allotted military serial ZD493. After some years it became an instructional air frame and received maintenance serial 8977M. After spares recovery it ended up in this sorry state. It was scrapped a year later.