Manufactured as a Vickers Super VC10 Type 1154, construction number 883, Our VC10 entered service in 1967 as an airliner for East African Airlines.  Perpetually beset with financial and political difficulties, the airline suffered one of only two fatal accidents in the VC10's history when one of its fleet of five crashed on takeoff at Addis Ababa, killing 43 of the 107 people on board. 

East African Airlines eventually closed down in 1977 and its remaining VC10s were repossessed by the British Aircraft Corporation.

The RAF acquired the aircraft from BAC and it was then that she acquired her serial number of ZA148.  

By the close of the seventies the RAF had begun looking for a replacement for its fleet of Handley Page Victor in-flight refuelling tankers. The outstanding record of the VC10s already in RAF service, allied to their speed, range and carrying capacity made them an ideal and convenient prospect.  Conversion would be a major task, with considerable modification required to the rear fuselage to gain access for fitting the fuel tanks.  The Type 1154, however, featured a large cargo door which could be used for this purpose, so ZA148 was grounded for modification.

In fuel tanker configuration, ZA148 can carry 90 tons of fuel, dispensed through three drogues, one under each wing and a further one under the tail.

She was retired from service on 28th August 2013, leaving only two VC10s still operational.  Both of those are also due for retirement.