The KDC-10: The aircraft from a generation

The KDC-10: The aircraft from a generation

The KDC-10 was a aerial refueling aircraft from the royal Netherlands air force (RNLAF). It was introduced in 1992 and it kept flying until the 25th from October 2021 when it retired. 

This aircraft is special for a couple reasons. First off: it's one of the few european owned tanker aircraft. Second reason is that the dutch KDC-10 aircraft were the only DC-10 based aircraft outside the US air force. Which brings me to the third reason. It is completly different than it's American counter parts. This is because the American KC-10 were build and designed as a tanker. The Dutch KDC-10 are second hand bought DC-10's (from Martin Air) and modified by the dutch into a tanker. WIth a special key feature which is having a RARO system (as far I know the first operational tanker with this system). With this system the boom can be operated from a station behind the cockpit and to keep things dutch the system was developed in the Netherlands.

These reasons combined with being the biggest aircraft in the RNLAF fleet makes the dutch proud. But being impressive isn't good enough. You also need to be vissible. Luckily this was not a problem for the RNLAF because anywhere where the dutch armed forces went, the KDC-10 went with them. Most often to support UN peace missions but also humantarian aid mission in the Caribbean part of the Dutch kingdom and it flew many times to Afganisthan to support the NATO operation Resolute Support. Making it a welcoming sight to see. For the plane spotters around the world the raretity and uniqueness made it even more special to see.

Because of this I think the aircraft became an important part of a generation. A generation of Dutch soldiers who flew with this aircraft into a god forsaken place and where brought back to their families. A generation of Dutch aviation lovers for who it became an missable part of the RNLAF. A generation who became inspired by this aircraft. Inspired to join the air force, to help others. It brought people together. The spotters who met each other and became friends, the soldiers who came back to their families or who met amazing people during their deployment. For a generation it became a part of their live and for some even a part of their identity. It truely became a aircaft of a generation. Unfortuanly on the 25th of October 2021 the final aircraft (T-235) left the air force but it's not the end. The KDC-10's keep on living because they will be operated by Omega Aerial Refueling. Although they keep on going it still will be missed by all the fans of the RNLAF KDC-10.