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Timeless classic

Posted: 16 Jul 2006, 00:57
by Garry Russell
Nice to see the Ten still in service with the RAF after 40 years.

At the time the airliner was already flying the World.......it's a shame it had such a short commercial life in comparison.

But after you waved off the first RAF VC 10 you could have popped down to Heathrow with your £.s.d and, well you can dream can't you :think:

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Have to imagin this could have been so long ago

Garry

Posted: 16 Jul 2006, 01:12
by DispatchDragon
Its funny Garry I was looking at the 1-11 on my desktop last night and thinking the same thing how could such elegant aircraft left us already??


:sad:

Leif

Posted: 16 Jul 2006, 01:16
by DaveB
Timeless indeed Garry :wink: She is, without doubt.. the 'Little Black Dress' of the aviation world :kissu:

ATB

DaveB :tab:

Posted: 16 Jul 2006, 01:20
by Garry Russell
All those years ago it looked like they would be arround forever.

And even now they would hold their own.

The fuel costs and noise issues hadn't "been invented then"

Thankfully the RAF still use them and that has given some a chance to see them flying.

Garry

Posted: 16 Jul 2006, 01:44
by DaveB
Garry wrote:
Thankfully the RAF still use them and that has given some a chance to see them flying.
and.. to fly on them (or at least one of them) :wink:

ATB

DaveB :tab:

Posted: 16 Jul 2006, 02:07
by Garry Russell
Dave..it might supprise you that...............

I am 49 years old and saw a Standard VC10 landing on 10L from the Air India hangar on the far side.

I saw A40-AB take off..........sort of, it vanished behind the buildings at Heathrow and an RAF taking off form Heathrow in the early 90's.

In the early seventies I saw one low level at a distance on an Ian Allen air experience flight.

Apart from a handful parked at Brize and a few high overflights they are the only VC 10's I have ever seen.

I last saw a VC 10 in 1993 (the RAF one at Heathrow).

So being "of an age" doesn't mean you get to see thing's, they need to be around.

So anyone who gets to see them or fly in them are very lucky.

BTW I went to Heathrow twice in 1974 and once in 1978 the only movement was the distance one mentioned above which was Nigeria/BOAC..the reason I didn't see lots of Tens....BOAC/BA were on strike........yep often in those days on one of those BEA was as well. :huf:


Garry

Posted: 16 Jul 2006, 04:53
by airboatr
yep
and one the other hand
you can be around long enough
that you see too much.. :think:
Like today...... no need for details..
momma, take me home ...and put me to bed :-({|=
:roll:
............................ :lol:

Posted: 16 Jul 2006, 08:02
by Rich
Now 64, in my time I enjoyed 5 flights in VC10's, BUA VC10 to Aden in 1966, Viscount return flight.

RAF VC10 Gutersloh - Keflavic - Calgary reverse route back

RAF VC10 Gutersloh - Brize - Gander -Calgary reverse route back, this was due to the cod war, no landee in Iceland, lots of time on the flight deck, long trip

Thomas Mottershead was one hope the name is right Tonks, Guy Gibson, Albert Ball, can't remember the other but I think Leonard Cheshire.

saw lots flying around and at airshows at St Athan, lucky enough to see one with 3 Phantoms lined up with the refuling points though not connected this was around Gloucester city so they were probably doing a show somewhere, Brize or Fairford.

Posted: 16 Jul 2006, 08:59
by VEGAS
Only ever seen commercial versions on static display at Cosford & Duxford. I have seen flying examples during my schooldays when the RAF occasionally visted Manchester airport in their machines.

The noise was unmistakeable and I could tell what the Aircraft was when I could hear it approaching, even indoors! :sad: :wink:

BTW Garry, any chance of a Loganair repaint?! :lol: :poke: and then Image

Timeless Classic

Posted: 16 Jul 2006, 11:39
by Buggyman
Hardly seems 40 years since my first flight in a '10. Air trooping to Aden with BUA. First ever flight and still remembered with great affection. Subsequent flights in RAF VC 10s included Cyprus and Gutesloh.

The last flight of my Army career was in a '10 on a round 48 hour TDY to Gutersloh.

Then I bought a house next to RAF Leeming and 'retired' - HA! Of all the aircraft that came through it was the '10 that stopped all activity. Grace and pure power, brilliant there was/is no competition.

I getting homesick again, more tablets nurse...........

Allan :smile: