The twin-jet A310, the second aircraft type produced by Airbus Industrie, represented the manufacturer's entry into the military tanker/transport market. The MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker-Transport) incorporates additional fuel tankage in order to provide air-to-air refuelling via two underwing pods; it can offload over 60,000lb to receiver aircraft. Apart from the passenger/cargo transport and tanker roles, the Luftwaffe uses its four A310 MRTTs for medical evacuation duties. These are ex-Lufthansa airframes, while two A310s formerly operated by the East German state airline Interflug were converted into VIP transports - just one of those remains in use. Canada also employs the A310 as a tanker-transport, under the CC-150 Polaris designation.

Photo credit: Ben Dunnell