The Lockheed L-1011 Tristar was developed by Lockheed to meet an Eastern Airlines requirement for an intermediate-range passenger transport. The Tristar was developed in parallel with its Rolls Royce RB.211 turbofans, but problems with the RB.211 cost Rolls Royce & Lockheed nearly everything. With help from the US & British governments, the two companies were soon back on their feet, although the L-1011's development was delayed by two years. The first L-1011-1 Tristar flew in 1970, & entered service in 1972 (with RB.211s). After the L-1011-1 entered service, several upgrades were made to the engine & aircraft. 

The last Tristar to enter service was the L-1011-500, a long range version with RB.211-524B engines. The RAF acquired six of the 500 Series, which were converted to tankers (designated K.Mk 1 in RAF service). These six K.Mk 1s have operated from RAF Brize Norton since March 1986. The L-1011-500s were modified by Marshall of Cambridge, who installed fuel tanks in the cargo hold to give the Tristar an extra 45,359kg (100,000lbs) of fuel capacity, & installed twin Hose & Drum units in the rear fuselage. Three more Tristars were acquired from Pan-American in 1984/85, & were converted to K.Mk 2 standard.

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