"Proton Fox" wrote in message
. ..

Anyone know what are the King Airs used for in RAF service? Google
implies these were previously civil registered with a commercial
operator.

Again the RAF site will tell you all...........
http://www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/kingair.cfm

They did enter service with civilian registrations (they are operated under
a lease agreement) but the rules for military registered aircraft are
different and so some have been re-registered (I understand) to take
advantage of this.