BAC (Vickers) VC-10 / Super VC-10

1962

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BAC (Vickers) VC-10 / Super VC-10

The prototype of this airliner flew for the first time on 29 June 1962. The VC10 entered service on BOAC's route to West Africa on 29 April 1964. Four production variants and a modification of the prototype were produced: the Model 1101, of which 12 went to BOAC accommodated 16 first-class and 93 economy passengers; the Model 1102, of which two went to Ghana Airways, one with a large hydraulically operated cargo door between the standard passenger doors and both with 4% chord leading-edge extension from wing root to fence; the Model 1103, of which three went to British United Airways with cargo door and extended leading edge; Model 1106, of which 14 went to RAF Air Support Command with cargo door, folding hatracks, machined cargo floor, extended leading edge, 97kN Conway RCo.43 Mk 301 turbofans and fin fuel tank; and the Model 1109, the prototype brought up to airline standard for Laker Airways, with the Model 1106 wing. Standard engines for the VC10 were four 90.6kN Rolls-Royce Conway RCo. 42 turbofans in lateral pairs on each side of the rear fuselage. RAF basic transport version designated VC10 C.1. C.2 is the unconfirmed designation of flight refuelling tanker conversions of five VC10 and four Super VC10.

3-View 
BAC (Vickers) VC-10 / Super VC-10A three-view drawing (1000 x 726)

Specification 
 CREW4-6
 PASSENGERS108-151
 ENGINE4 x turbo-jet RR "Conway RCo-42", 93.4kN
 WEIGHTS
  Take-off weight141521 kg312002 lb
  Empty weight67094 kg147918 lb
 DIMENSIONS
  Wingspan44.6 m146 ft 4 in
  Length48.4 m159 ft 10 in
  Height12.0 m39 ft 4 in
  Wing area264.3 m22844.90 sq ft
 PERFORMANCE
  Cruise speed915 km/h569 mph
  Range w/max.fuel8328 km5175 miles
  Range w/max payload6680 km4151 miles

Comments1-20 21-40
Victoria Ball, e-mail, 11.01.2011 13:41

I rember my first flight, it was in GASGC which is now preserved at Duxford. i was cabin crew. i loved working on it. my first flight was to Bermuda. and i remember the JFK flights. like a Fighter. it was something else. i miss the VC10 very much and mad very sad by the demise. of the RAF fleet. the broken hulks now. a sad end for for this great plane.

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John McGill, e-mail, 09.12.2010 11:37

Working for BOAC in Bermuda,we had the Super-VC10 on the JFK shuttle daily...and with a light load and right win direction,I would persuade the captain to use the 'short' runway which was right in front of the terminal.Everybody used to down tools and stand watching as he leaned on the brakes,opened the throttle and let her rip.What a noise, and what a sight as it went up like a fighter!

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ROBERT SYMONS, e-mail, 08.12.2010 15:16

I first flew in the VC10 (British United Airways) from Aden to the Uk. What a lovely aircraft to fly in. Then numerous flights in RAF VC10's. My father built the aircaft - along with the Valetta, Viscount, Vanguard and Concorde.

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Clive, e-mail, 20.11.2010 01:26

A lovely aircraft even though a bit thirsty! I flew on one to Australia many years ago and my dad worked on them when he was at BOAC. Does the RAF still fly them? Also, (a bit of trivia), the span of the tail plane is the same as the wing span of the spitfire.

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Vaughan Thomas, e-mail, 28.09.2010 23:00

The first time I flew was on the first VC10 flight to Aden in Sept 1964. Terrific experience in an icon at a time when we could still produce great engineering. Does anyone know how I could find if the plane still exists and where it would be?

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Peter, e-mail, 25.09.2010 16:49

It was the most beautiful British aircraft ever build but it had a lot of problems in a political sence and it was not very practical to service. The holds were on the underbelly of the AC. you had to lift every bag straight up into the hold. The weight and balance was very complicated because the AC was tail heavy. Often pax had to be shifted in the cabin for take-off and balast put into the front hold. But for a visual, take-off and landing it looked beautiful.

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Tony Coyle, e-mail, 09.04.2010 07:06

Yes My first Command in 1975 It was a beautiful Aircraft to operate I loved it as did everyone! It was a gentlemans aircraft it really was! I loved the start checklist!! Capt to F /E start engines 10 mins later after I had a meal on my pull out table in front of me!! F /E to Capt all engines are running! Oh OK we will taxi now !! arrh lovely The F /e had his own set of throttles!!!!!

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David Burns, e-mail, 23.03.2010 01:06

If anyone is into Microsoft Flight Simulator there is a VC-10 add-on. It is a great aircraft to fly and from what I have heard, flying the FS version is very close to the real thing.

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Jack Shaw, e-mail, 25.12.2009 22:02

I'm sat here with my grandad on xmas day, he managed the build of these plans 1952. Would love to here from anyone that also worked on these plans

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Jack Shaw, e-mail, 25.12.2009 22:01

I'm sat here with my grandad on xmas day, he managed the build of these plans 1952. Would love to here from anyone that also worked on these plans

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Frank Russell, e-mail, 20.12.2009 01:12

I flew in it once ----- very nice!

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David Burns, e-mail, 10.12.2009 23:14

I flew on the VC-10 four times; Brize Norton Aden, and Aden to Glasgow, Scotland in 1963 then Brize Norton to Bahrain and Bahrain to Brize Norton in 1968. It was a great aircaft to fly in. I last saw one at McLennan AFB, California, about 8 years ago as it took off of over my head. What a sight and what a sound!

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Chris, e-mail, 07.12.2009 12:20

It was the most beautiful sub sonic aircraft ever produced in the United Kingdom, and the most politically sabotaged too!! Great to look at, great to fly in

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Wouter Hobe, e-mail, 25.09.2009 04:10

We See When! There were lots of problems, it was hardly on time. I worked for BOAC at that time.

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1-20 21-40

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