Guided tour of a Vickers Super VC10 at Duxford airfield.

[@88sandman]

The most beautiful looking airliner ever built!

[@flybobbie1449]

My thoughts also, very elegant.

[@derekheeps1244]

The Comet , the VC-10 and Concorde were not only the most beautiful airliners ever built , but each in its own time led the world .

[@seansands424]

@@derekheeps1244 And the Trident

[@chrispaw1]

Its not forgotten by any means, its has a huge fanbase…we love it!

[@robinvanags912]

....I was going to say - FORGOTTEN?????

[@beachbum4691]

​@@robinvanags912 "FORGOTTEN?????" Yea?' ha' ha' ha' :)

[@seltaeb9691]

My first flight in the RAF VC10 was in 1971 from Brize Norton to Washington (USA!), So quiet, good food & gentle landing. Took about 5hrs+ & a high altitude as I rmbr looking down on jets crossing Atlantic t'other way. Much loved plane amongst servicemen & thanks to the Blue Jobs also.

[@grooeygroo]

That's awesome! Are there any left still airworthy, or close to it?

[@chrispaw1]

@@grooeygroo There were many serving with the British airforce, RAF, they were retired not too long ago, finally. I believe they were the last airworthy ones, Im sure someone knows more than I but i don’t think there are any currently flying at airshows etc….

[@charliekilpatrick4821]

I worked on the military version of the VC10 as a mechanic in the RAF back in the 1970s and my memory was not just how beautiful it was externally but also how exquisitely crafted were the working parts. For example if you were to open the access doors behind the rear toilets where the hydraulic systems lived it looked like a cathedral to engineering. Also it was an extremely safe aircraft with I believe an unmatched safety record. As an example of this all the flying control surfaces were individually powered by their own control units called pfcu's each of which had its 13:59 own complete electrically powered hydraulic system and duplicated so for example the rudder was devided into 3 segments each segment with its own pfcu. So you could lose two segments and you would still have some degree of yaw control. All the controls were this way. Because it was electric powered flying controls it had wind powered generator called the ELRAT which could be extended into the airflow to provide back up power as a last resort in the case of complete electrical failure.

[@JohnSmith-ei2pz]

Redundant systems A-C you try and explain.

[@Prussianbluex]

Next to Concorde the VC-10 still stands out as one of the most beautifully designed aircraft, aesthetically and technically . . . Thank you for another great video.

[@QatarVegan]

Without doubt.

[@loveaodai100]

I was about to say the same thing when I saw your comment. Also the IL-62 super cool. Vic more beautiful. IL-62 more cool!

[@AxleGrinder]

Heh, if you go to Brooklands Museum in Surrey you can literally see the two next to each other

[@OfMoachAndMayhem]

It sure got enough looks to stand right next to a Spitty Vb and a Trident yet remain the main point of interest - Stylish bird

[@itjustlookslikethis]

Production run of 54 aircraft? Most went to the RAF. Nothing to brag about.

[@paulpunnamootil7783]

I flew on VC10 from Bombay to London 1973.BOAC had services from Bombay stop over at Doha,Bagdhad,Damascus then to London.I still remember that flight 50 years ago and service was outstanding.

[@anthonypetty9288]

The wonderful Super VC10! I travelled from Sydney to London and back to Fiji back in 1971 on the VC10. I remember the cabin being pretty quiet, and also going up to the cockpit at least twice (the good old days). As a member of the BOAC Junior Jet Club, I can say I have fantastic memories of the VC10 and, let's be honest, its a gorgeous aircraft, especially in those BOAC colours.

[@alexmcwhirter6602]

Ah the days when BOAC also operated to Australia via the transpacific. It was a Super VC-10 by the way (not the shorter Standard VC-10).

[@normandiebryant6989]

@@alexmcwhirter6602 Was the Super VC-10 the model advertised by Stuart Wagner as BOAC VC 10 Hushpower or just the standard?

[@robertp.wainman4094]

Nothing beats the BOAC livery!

[@Ben-xe8ps]

I am wondering if anybody who travelled as a through passenger (without stopover in the US) aboard one of these transpacific BA flights had any recollection of the US immigration arrangements applicable in respect of through flight passengers. Thinking back to the era before the post 9-11 paranoid US immigration procedures, the only US airport that I can recall having an airside transit/departure lounge area such as is found in the rest of the world was ANC for use by polar route transit passengers. In 1978 I travelled SYD-SFO aboard a QF 747-200 flight (2 class FY original configuration with 9 abreast Y seating and an upstairs 'Captain Cook' lounge for F class pax) which was routed MEL-SYD-HNL-SFO-YVR. QF did not carry US domestic passengers over the HNL-SFO sector. At HNL passengers were held in a secure gate room and I actually cleared US immigration at SFO. I believe a similar arrangement existed at SFO so that YVR bound passengers were not required to actually enter the US. In view of the number of stops made in the US (JFK, LAX and HNL) on the BA transpacific route flight and the fact that this was obviously before any VWP existed for the US, was any similar arrangement in place on the BA flight for through flight transit passengers or were they all required to actually enter the US (and presumably possess a US visa)? Does anybody recall?

[@austindarrenor]

I'd like to know why no European or US airlines bought the VC-10. Fuel consumption? Engines hard to access compared to the 707/DC-8?

[@gswilliams]

My Father was one of the pilots on the first RAF training course for the VC10 in 1966. He'd flown Canberras, Vulcans and Comets before, but loved the VC10 more than any of them. The military version with the upgraded engines but same fuselage was a performance marvel. I have a letter of thanks from the Chief of the Air Staff when Dad had flown him around the US on a tour. He commented that the take off angle never failed to impress watching dignitaries!

[@TroyMorePhotography]

My favourite airliner of all time! What it lacked in economics, it made up for in pure elegance.

[@geoffreyking4515]

So true keep your boing ,airbus, etc,the only two aircraft to come anywhere near it was a 727 and a 1011 Tristar

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

Not only economics. VC-10 lacked range. So it couldn't, unlike 707, fly non-stop Europe to US West Coast.

[@geoffreyking4515]

@@alexmcwhirter6611 but a lot of people didn't want to fly all that way non stop ,so you went to N Y. then hopped across America to the west coast

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

@@geoffreyking4515 Of course but there were still non-stop flights with BOAC and others in the late 1960s. I worked in the trade at that time and I remember my best friend taking AF LHR-ORY-LAX. (AF flew non-stop ORY-LAX with 707).

[@geoffreyking4515]

@@alexmcwhirter6611 all that way in a 707 .what a noisy Nightmare

[@martinfinlayson4135]

My father was a flight engineer on the VC10 and he loved it! He started on Comet 4 and finished on the 747 but his first love was the VC10.

[@julianlayton733]

Great video! I was fortunate to get to fly on a VC10 as an 8 year old in 1979 from Nairobi to London. We were originally booked on a 747 flight that originated in Johannesburg, but it was overbooked and as we were travelling on a BA staff ticket (my father worked for BA) we were transferred on to a VC10 flight that left about an hour later and flew to London with stops in Khartoum and Cairo. I remember my mother being non too pleased as she didn’t like take offs and landings, but for me it was an amazing adventure and the VC10 became my favourite aircraft (and remains so today) 😃

[@yahyahussein425]

I just mentioned this above and seeing that you flew the VC-10 in 1979, I also was 8 years old in 1979 flying from London to Khartoum several times in that decade and a bit later. What a coincidence.I heartily endorse your feelings on the aircraft.

[@julianlayton733]

@@yahyahussein425 Great memories 😃 I hope you still enjoy flying as much as I do 😃

[@seltaeb9691]

The VC10 was designed for the British Empire & as few stops as poss.

[@seltaeb9691]

​@@julianlayton733 until last week, my last flight was in 1978 RAF version & so too easyJet, my god cramped with knees scraping, seats are barely functional. It felt like being in a Dakota but strong oddly. Still Edinburgh to Bristol return £44, go figure eh..

[@julianlayton733]

@@seltaeb9691 you certainly don’t get the old ‘glamour of travel’ flying EasyJet!

[@Videx19]

My dad flew on one of these from Heathrow to Montreal in 1970. He did mention the steep angle of attack and how quiet the ride was. The closest I got to a VC-10 was an Airfix model from Woolworth’s.

[@spanishpeaches2930]

My late aunt was a stewardess for BOAC in the 60s. She said it was a lovely aircraft to fly on. She was often part of the Queen's flight. Been on this aircraft at Duxford.

[@jap1378]

The VC10 was built to the Empire specification. Stopping at super hot, high empire airports they had heavy freon air conditioning packs in the inboard wing roots. They could keep the cabin cool and comfortable at any airport. The wing was milled from one piece of Aluminum, super strong! Boeings answer to the hot and high issue was to pay for runway extensions.

[@JohnSmith-ei2pz]

Planks, you mean!

[@bryanlorang417]

I've always loved the VC10! What gets me as how in these old aircraft the economy section looks like what we call premium now. Thanks for another great vid!

[@ravisriram6746]

I shall never forget this magnificent aircraft. My family and I flew on the VC10 and Super VC10 in the late '60's on the Bombay-Colombo route several times; ungorgettable, to say the least. It's wonderful to know that examples of the plane still exist. Thank you for the video.

[@MrSimonstreet]

I had the pleasure of working on the super VC10 in 1977/1978 as a British Airways Avionic Engineering Apprentice. Also a flight in one, G-ASGI from Hong Kong's, Kai Tak airport Via Calcutta and Doha to London (LHR) in Aug 1978. What a take off from Kai Tak it was up in no time. A beautiful, reliable, Quiet (inside), not so (outside), but over engineered aircraft. Much more exciting to fly in than the Boeing B747-136 that was also used on the HK/LHR route at the time.

[@robbojax2025]

My first ever flight was on a VC10 from London to Montreal (and back) in 1966. It was such a thrill and this video revived a lot of memories,.

[@basvanderhoek9293]

I am SO happy that I grew up in the Caravelle, Comet and VC-10 era. I moved to Montreal in the early seventies, and would do almost anything to fly the VC-10 out of Mirabel to the UK, and than to Amsterdam. I did that many times and still get goose bumps thinking about those planes. Also the Caravelle s. I got eargasms listening to their take offs. Yes, I do have 1 foot in the grave now, but thank god I grew up when I did, the pre Greta era. I was and am very privileged . Thanks Paul

[@user-tn1vc1xz5d]

Built in Brooklands. Beautiful but makes me miss the days when we could build stuff like this and when Mr Trubshaw would do VC10 delivery flights. Duxford is just fab. Great video as always 👍

[@bishwatntl]

I knew someone who worked at Brooklands. He told me that the runway there wasn't long enough for a fully-fitted Super VC10 to take off, so they would build the aircraft with just enough fittings to allow it to fly, sit it at the end of the runway with the brakes on while they ran up the engines, then take off and fly the short distance to Wisley, where the aircraft would be fitted out with its full airline interior.

[@neilturner6749]

@@bishwatntl yes I believe that’s true, they took risks routinely that would be considered outrageous today. I’m not sure that it applied to the later Super VC10s though- I’ve a feeling Brooklands shut down manufacturing before then and they were completed elsewhere? Perhaps a Vickers expert viewer could correct me or confirm re this?

[@martingreen-dc2eu]

Vanguard

[@markrichmond4796]

Love the ‘Vickers Commercial No 10’ as my aeronautical engineer Uncle calls them. We used to fly to and from Lusaka, Zambia to school in the UK back on in the 1970s……..loved it. 😀

[@hunterfunter47]

I flew as a passenger on VC10s several times between London and Nairobi in the late '60s/early 70s. I was a member of the BOAC 'Junior Jet Club'. I was an unaccompanied minor and always asked if I could visit the cockpit. I was allowed in more than once which as you could imagine for a 10 yr old boy, was simply the best thing ever. I remember the angle of climb after take-off was very steep and the plane climbed like a rocket. A refuelling stop was needed - I seem to remember Athens was one.

[@kernthorpe864]

Best. Airliner. Ever. Anyone who didn't get a chance to fly them missed out, badly. The 707 was like a soviet tractor by comparison. Accountants hated them. Crew and passengers loved them.

[@neilpalmer230]

Amazing aircraft. Flew one from Heathrow to Montreal in 1967.

[@cadicorniche]

The VC-10 will always have a special place in my heart. I had my first jet flight, NY to Kingston, Jamaica on her. I was 10 years old.

[@staralliancefan1245]

Thanks Paul! Interesting seeing the periscopes all around the aircraft. Very analogue!

[@mrrcassidy]

You can get on board the VC10 tanker at Newquay. If you think the periscopes are 'analogue' you should see the military version of escape slides (a rope stowed above a window).

[@KnowYoutheDukeofArgyll1841]

Yup. The VC10 was the first ever aircraft I flew on back in 1980, from Brize Norton to Akrotiri and of course in the way back to the UK, three years later. Pity I was a bit young to fully appreciate the plane itself. But I do remember how long and slender it looked with its four engine configuration sticking out at the rear. It certainly holds a place in my memories. Great video, Paul.

[@chrisbell5248]

My lasting memory of the VC 10 is taking off from Aden airport in a Military one (seats face the rear). With no noise restrictions the pilot put the nose straight up to quickly reach cruising altitude and if it weren't for the seat belts we would have fallen out of our seats.

[@tlangdon12]

Been there, done that! As an air cadet in the 1980s I was offered a flight on a VC10 and was able to travel in the jump seat as we left Marham having dropped of the engineers for one of the Jaguar squadrons that had been on detachment to Gutersloh. The P1 suggested that we show the Jaguar pilots what a 'proper' aircraft could do and used full power for take-off - only possible where there were no noise restrictions! With no passengers, and a light fuel load (we were on our way straight back to Brize) it felt like we were going vertical! A very impressive airliner!

[@danielwelland5996]

Me too very strange feeling sitting backwards

[@firstfreonwarrior]

We also flew out of Aden in '67 on a VC10. My mother was smitten with the aircraft!

[@Ben-xe8ps]

@@danielwelland5996 Rear facing seats were not limited to military aircraft although I am aware that the RAF had all rear facing seats on their VC10's. On the BEA/BA Tridents, several rows of seats in the rear cabin from the centre passenger doors to the over wing emergency exits were rear facing. I also believe that the Trident 3's and Viscounts had rear facing seats in row 1. I have sat in such seats and found the take off experience to be quite strange.

[@danielwelland6638]

@@Ben-xe8ps Thank you I did not know that. The only time I was in a rear facing seat was in an RAF Britannia , it was strange.

[@michaelbarlow3686]

I flew on Supers when I joined British Airways Overseas Division as it was called post merger with BEA. A fantastic aircraft, cabin service was mostly by hand with drinks orders taken on a pad and if you were the bar steward it was a bit difficult making it all tally with payments. While waiting for the incoming aircraft to taxi in places like Nairobi where we waited on the tarmac to board and replace the inbound crew the distinctive noise of the engines was ecstasy to my ears. A lovely aircraft and I've even got a personal car plate to remember it by. The saddest thing I ever saw was the standard VC10 's being publicly scrapped by the engineers adjacent to the perimeter road at LHR and the Supers being stored lined up at Prestwick prior to sale to the RAF. Happy Days. I've visited this lovely lady at Duxford where I gave a demonstration of how to assemble the Utility Trolley!! Rest Safe Dear Old Lady I'll come and give you another hug soon.

[@MySteviec]

I worked on the VC10Ks at Brize Norton and my first ever flight was in one of these. It's a beautiful, elegant aircraft much loved by everyone who worked on it.

[@johnmatthews7703]

My very first flight at 16 years of age in 1967 was aboard a BOAC VC10. I flew Chicago to Montreal by myself to visit cousins, and to attend Expo '67. I believe the flight continued on to London from there. It was a fantastic experience and yes, it was fairly quiet. I do remember that the upholstry was a black/dark grey and white check pattern on the seats. The outbound flight served a full three course meal for dinner. I can't remember much about the return flight though other than seeing an Aer Lingus 707 taxing out at the same time. Thanks for renewing my memory!

[@strangesmile7801]

This was a great Plane of a great Time and of Course is not forgotten for a Lot of People. Thank you Paul

[@robertp.wainman4094]

My Uncle flew extensively on business in the 1960's and 70's - far and away his favourite airliner was the VC10!

[@tomcampbell8295]

As an ex cabin crew member I loved working on the VC 10.

[@CarolanneTitmus-Greene]

Yes both passengers and crew loved the,.

[@LRBerry]

The VC10 will always be my favourite aircraft. I never got to fly on a commercial VC10, but did get to fly on the RAF version during a summer camp with the Air Training Corps at RAF Brize Norton. This was a training flight for a pilot and consisted of several touch-and-go manoeuvres which took place right after lunch. Needless to say, several people on board, including me, were soon throwing up our lunch. Still, it was a fantastic flight.

[@HH-mw4sq]

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, my family and I used to routinely travel between Jamaica and New York. There was a BOAC VC-10 flight that went from Jamaica to New York, then continued on to London. Our other choices were a PanAm B707, or an Eastern Airlines B727. Once we flew the VC-10, that was it. It became our favorite airplane. It was not until PanAm began flying a B747 between MBJ and JFK, that we stopped flying the VC-10. As great as the VC-10 was, it couldn't compete with the B747 for passenger comfort.

[@paulsangha124]

Possibly the most beautiful passenger jet:)

[@notmenotme614]

13:11 I heard the RAF VC10 could fly faster than some military jets and the VC10 had to slow down for air to air refuelling.

[@saintuk70]

Loved seeing the Trident lurking in the background...and that BOAC livery was class.

[@davidwebb8877]

Flew to Canada on one of these in 1979,I was 9 years of age and remember going up to the cockpit

[@philipemery5503]

In 1969 I flew to Singapore in an RAF VC10 from RAF Brize Norton. It was the first time I had ever flown and in the RAF version the seats faced the rear of the aircraft. That flight has never been forgotten as we had to Refuel twice during that journey.

[@ellesmerewildwood4858]

My dad flew in one in 1974 from London to Melbourne in economy and I remember him saying he was really impressed, it was very quiet and comfortable and the service from the cabin crew was very good too.

[@MrJimheeren]

There is no such thing as a quiet airplane in the 1970s. Especially not in an airplane with 4 engines strapped to the back of the fuselage

[@alexmcwhirter6602]

@@MrJimheeren Not true ! It's all about sitting in the right part of the cabin.

[@davidcartwright5591]

As a young av geek , I was given a guided tour at LHR . I’ll always the guide announcing that the tail span on the VC10 exactly matched the wing span of the Spitfire. A bit of useless information I know , but it’s stuck with me since that day . Great video and very nostalgic for nerds like me . Cheers Paul and thanks for posting .

[@EppingLad]

I was lucky enough to fly on one from New York to Heathrow in 1974.Matchless.

[@bhf614]

I flew on the VC 10 quite a few times on the way back to my home in NYC on my family’s way back from Pakistan. One distinct feature was that one had to pull out the armrests rather than pulling them up.

[@thomaserpingham2798]

I flew on a BOAC super VC 10 to Lusaka, Zambia in 1971, via Zurich and Entebbe, Uganda. I was 11 and lived in Lusaka for 4 years and went to the airport most weekends to watch the once weekly VC 10 flight from London and the Alitalia DC 8 from Rome. I left Zambia in an East African Airways VC10 in a yellowish top and silver underside livery flying to Dar es sal aam.

[@hbw7615]

Thanks for the very interesting video. I was at school in England in 1960s and flew out for holidays to Kuwait on BOAC VC10s; the flights were known as the "Lollipop Specials" as most of the passengers were children! 7:48

[@OldBassGuitarMan]

Always loved this aircraft...I believe I was 12 years old on board flying from Montreal, Canada to London Heathrow. Still remember getting a “Junior Jet Club” log book to enter all my journeys. Wish I knew where it is....

[@Lensman864]

I'm really enjoying your work; very informative. I live 30 minutes from Duxford IWM and I've been there 10+ times in the last 24 years so your additional explanations are welcome. One minor criticism: nothing is "very unique"; unique is an absolute and takes no modifiers. For some reason Americans in particular don't understand this and it's spreading.

[@scotty6346]

Great video, The best looking airliner bar Concorde! I flew on a BOAC VC-10 when i was a kid I think it was Toronto to Heathrow? It was a night flight, We took off in an electric storm, I still remember that!

[@RMillerism]

My family and I emigrated to Australia in one of these. The long way, via New York, San Francisco, Hawaii, Fiji Sydney and Melbourne. Then a 727 to Adelaide. I was 7.

[@winstonschwarz1636]

I flew back from Cyprus in an RAF VC10 to Brize Norton. We had been delayed in Limassol for 2 days due to technical problems which meant we got to stay In a nice hotel with a pool where I horsed around with the flight crew. When we eventually took off the air stewardess who I knew invited me up to the flight deck. By that time we were flying up the west coast of France and I was fascinated by the street lighting. I was dazed and half asleep as it was the middle of the night but the memory is strong. My first flight on a jet was a memorable experience and certainly 100% more comfortable than the Bristol we had flown out on two years prior to this journey. Many thanks for another great video Paul.

[@petersnow389]

One of my late Fathers friends was a Flight Engineer with British United Airways, then operating Brittanias out of Gatwick. During one of the family vists he took Dad and I on to the aerodrome, and there, just delivered, was a brand new standard VC10. He took us up into this wonderful aeroplane, and onto the flight deck. I had the privilege of sitting in the Captains and Flight Engineers seats in this brand new, superb British aircraft. It was an experience that has stayed with me ever since, something I will never forget. The Duxford Super needs to be under cover!!.

[@senianns9522]

In '76 I flew to Nairobi then on to the Seychelles in one of these beauties! Back in the days when they allowed decent seating space and leg room! Alas!

[@mrblewis4371]

Did my RAF air experience flight from Waddington in 1979, and flew to Crypus as a civilian in the 90's both planes with backward facing seats and loads of orange squash - thanks Vicky 10.

[@robyoungquist5803]

Thanks for the memories Paul. I’ve had the privilege of several First Class flights aboard the BOAC VC-10 ORD-LHR back in the day. 😉👍🏻. What I well remember was how quiet the cabin was because of those engines being all the way in back.

[@wotan10950]

Fantastic! I remember in the late-1960s my uncle had travelled to London on BOAC. I asked what kind of aircraft - he responded, DC-10. I said, nonsense, the DC-10 hasn’t yet flown with an airline. He hollered, “I SAID “V”C-10! (Bit of trivia: Rod Serling, of Twilight Zone fame, wrote a book called The President’s Plane is Missing, using the VC-10 as its model)

[@brianhedges4136]

Another great video Paul, thank you. I was stewarding today on our Super VC10 and I certainly benefited from watching your video first, bravo!

[@janetbruce2430]

A brilliant aircraft from the time when Britain was at the forefront of aviation design. Fascinating features include periscopes to observe the engines because they were so far to the rear. A great aircraft which was superior to the Boeing 707 in many ways. Great videoing and interesting commentary Paul!

[@robbiephillipstravelsofple4790]

Absolutely fantastic video Paul. Such a beautiful aircraft. Growing up on the flight path to RAF Brize Norton were the VC10 was based I have grown up with the sound of the Conway engines buzzing me for the best part of my life. I have even enjoyed a flight in a VC10 to so I class my self as one lucky chap. Thanks for sharing this video hope you are well and keep the videos coming

[@SaturnCanuck]

Thanks Paul. I've been on her a few times at Duxford. One of the most beautiful airliners built, for sure.

[@gooner72]

Unfortunately, i never flew on one but i always remember seeing the adverts in the airport with the "Try a little VC-10derness" slogan...... I loved that!! She's a beautiful aircraft actually and another elegant design from the phenomenal British aircraft industry. 🇬🇧✌️

[@datathunderstorm]

The sight of an RAF VC10 flying over West London on its way to Northolt Airport (I believe) about a decade ago is permanently burned into my brain. The aircraft was returning from a flight formation display over Buckingham Palace - for the Queen’s birthday I believe. I heard the roar of the 4 x Rolls Royce Conway’s long before I saw it. It was a sight to behold - the old girl was flying relatively low and moving quite quickly. This was probably one of the most beautiful aircraft ever built - and I do miss it.

[@danielwelland5996]

And it's going

[@danielwelland5996]

to happen again for King Charles

[@rafflesnh]

In the mid 70s, I flew on a 10 from Delhi to London. I had been upgraded to first class after suffering many delays and an overbooked economy section, so I was exhausted when I collapsed into my seat and promptly fell asleep after take off. When I came round several hours later, I was gutted to discover that they had run out of champagne and I had missed a slap up lunch. So my first and last experience of a first class cabin was something of a damp squib. However, I was very grateful for the large seats in which I got much needed shut-eye!

[@neilturner6749]

Haha a great story nonetheless

[@simonhattrell5321]

I flew back to the UK (Gatwick) from Aden in 1966 in a VC10. A beautiful aircraft. Thanks for the tour 👍

[@loveisall5520]

Certainly, one of the most beautiful airliners ever flown. It has the same elegance as the much smaller lucky Jetstar with its four engines in the rear.

[@clivecosta-correa2102]

My first-ever international flights (mid-1972) as a teenager, were Nairobi-Seychelles, return, with British Caledonian. Two decades later, I worked as a PR consultant for the likes of Airbus Industrie and BAe Commercial Aircraft, I had several launch press junkets, ferry-flights, etc. Still, the NBO-SEZ-NBO remains an evergreen memory.

[@renyoung9735]

Informative video Paul - brought back memories for me. I flew on a few occasions in the VC10 in the 1960,s between Heathrow and Lagos Nigeria. On one journey, whilst in flight, I asked to visit the flight deck. I was allowed to do so and had an interesting chat about the aircraft with a trainee pilot who was on a familiarisation trip. The passenger cabin is very comfortable and quiet whilst on the flight deck there is no engine noise but a high pitched hissing as the aircraft punches it’s way through the air. I still have my dark blue tie with the VC10 in plan view picked out in gold that was sold on board as a souvenir

[@Deso958]

In 1974 we flew from the island of Antigua West Indies to London on a BOAC VC10. It was a memorable experience.

[@andy99ish]

I remember taking the VC-10 to Ascension Island, where my uncle used to have a goat farm.

[@AVMamfortas]

A fine lot of detail, but, dear oh dear, you omitted the most important feature. The tailplane. This is the most beautiful piece of aviation 'art' ever to be placed on a plane. The lines and the size, the curves, the tilt, are simply GORGEOUS. It is the Michaelangelo's David of Aviation. It is the Mona Lisa of control surface. C'mon !!! :) :) :)

[@alasdairmacmillan5359]

Magnificent airplane. We flew on a BOAC VC10 from Johannesburg to Rome in 1971.

[@coover65]

We flew on a BOAC VC-10 back in the day. This video brought back wonderful memories. Thanks Paul.

[@richardschindler8822]

Loved this video. Some fascinating facts I never knew. I have a grand total of one flight on a VC-10, JFK to Heathrow. I believe I came back on a 707. As a retired corporate pilot that flew BAC 1-11’s, I’d love for you to do one of your marvelous tours of a 1-11. Keep up the great work, and can’t wait for the next video.

[@gjmob]

I remember as a kid growing up in Brisbane that there were ads for BOAC VC10 Hushpower. I think that the ads were done by Stuart Wagstaff. I guess that the Hushpower was because the engines were at the rear making for a quieter cabin.

[@emjackson2289]

Flew on a 101 Squadron VC10 K.Mk2 when I was in the ATC in the early-90s. We watched them tanking Tornado F3s (back when they were a thing) & I have to say it was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen.

[@lascm5237]

Thanks for the video. Being a ‘Forces Brat’ I got to fly on RAF VC10’s with rear facing seats more than once. Fabulous aircraft and have great memories of them. Cheers 🫡

[@matthewconrad-jones8846]

First plane I flew in as an excited 7 year old in 1974 …London to Dar Es Salaam… even got to go on the flight deck ! Happy days .. seemed to remember I was a member of their young flyers club !

[@Travelsbydreamer]

Great to see that old speed bird livery! Awesome stuff mate

[@richardvoogd705]

I was fortunate to ride on a VC10 at age 10 in 1971, as part of a family trip from New Zealand to the UK and Europe. Part of the journey was on a BOAC 707 as well.

[@iangraham5625]

One of my favourite flights of all time was on a VC 10 from Calcutta to London. But I remember the noise it made when flying overhead. Very distinctive!

[@dingerbell100]

My last trip on a VC10 was from RAF Brize Norton to RAF Akrotiri in 2001, 20 PAX on board. She climbed like a homesick angel & we were cleared direct from LMG VOR in France to the SIT VOR on Crete. We were cruising at FL450 @ M.92. There was absolutely nothing around us & she was literally hurtling along with a significant tailwind component at well over 700kts across the ground. I was lucky enough to fly on them many times … both as the child of a serviceman (to/from Singapore in 1969 to 1971 via Cyprus, Muscat & RAF Ghan at the southern end of the Maldives) & also during my own career 1986-2010 from Brize to Norway, Belize, the Mediterranean, the US, Brunei, Africa & the Middle East. She was a wonderful aircraft, sadly designed to cater for a particular route network instead of being a direct competitor to Boeing.

[@keithsmith8146]

The VC 10 brings back a lot of memories for me, my dad was in the forces. We would use these planes every time he got deployed abroad.

[@yahyahussein425]

It was a very lovely aircraft to fly. Flew it regularly from London to Khartoum which was the old Empire route London-Nairobi in the 1970'-late 80's

[@QatarVegan]

Lucky you!

[@damian-795]

Wow, what a brilliant educational video. I love the VC10, the tail looks very aquatic and graceful.

[@well-blazeredman6187]

Built by the French, I believe. Not sure who can claim the design honours.

[@totoroisbi]

My favorite aircraft. Was fortunate to fly as a child, JFK-LHR-JFK in the 60's. Great video, thx.

[@Quinnysings]

My Fav Airliner of all time, an absolutely beautiful piece of design. I used to love seeing these gorgeous birds climbing out of Manchester / EGCC. Nice vid and info mate Quinny

[@GPR111]

Fabulous looking big jet, never had the pleasure of flying on one but as an aviation geek can well appreciate its design and tremendous performance. Just imagine what a modern version would be like ... 👍

[@grrlpurpleable]

They were so LOUD climbing out over my old home. Distinctively loud too. :)

[@harropharry]

Me,wife and daughter flew to New York and back in one of these aircraft in the 60;s. It remains the most quiet and comfortable of all the many aircaft we have flown since.

[@soloperformer5598]

Only ever flew in a VC10 once from Dhahran to Heathrow. in 1977. There were four of us flying out and we rapidly depleted their beer stocks. Forgot to put that it was a fabulous flight on a great aircraft.

[@94xjrgodown2]

I came out to Australia in 1970 as a ten pound Pom on one of these VC10's. Wonderful aircraft.

[@brandonmcheyenehoward1077]

I was lucky enough to fly in one of these when I was in cadets in the late 70’s in the UK. The military used them for transport, boy was that a wake up experience, steep climb out .. awesome looking aircraft

[@JohnSmith-ei2pz]

Yes used to fly trench fodder!

[@wokeupandsmellthecoffee214]

Nice review Paul, I was fortunate enough while working for BA I flew on the sister of this aircraft G-ASGG from ATH to LHR back in 1980 what a great experience it was.

[@Ben-xe8ps]

The VC10 was a nice enough aircraft and I have travelled on it. First time was in 1973 when British Caledonian used a VC10 on their weekly scheduled service LGW-TCI. Next time was on a BA VC10 LHR-DAM-THR in 1978 (just a few months before the Iranian revolution - THR was a nice place in those days). The flight was continuing to somewhere in Pakistan or India, can't remember where. I also travelled on the VC10 on BA European flights during that short period in the late 70's/early 80's when BA transferred some VC10's to the European division and I travelled on a VC10 LHR-IST and AMS-LHR. It was a nice enough aircraft. Quiet cabin like any aircraft with rear mounted engines such as the 727. One drawback with long haul travel on the VC10 was that, unlike their 707 fleet, BA never installed any in-flight entertainment of any sort on the VC10's. Other comments mention in-flight service but of course service standards were not aircraft type dependent.

[@turbofanlover]

Beautiful bird, IMO. Wish I would have been able to see one in action or, even better, fly on one of them, before their time came to an end. Great vid. Thanks.

[@jeremyludlow4439]

Great video. I've been aboard that aircraft at Duxford and photographed it. But I wasn't given a guided tour, so a lot of the information you give during the video was new to me. BOAC used to fly VC-10s into Perth, Australia, where I live, but I never flew on one.

[@InformingChoices]

Never had the chance to fly on a VC10 but for my money she's the best looking aircraft ever built.

[@chrisfrob]

I flew from Heathrow to Malawi on the VC10 back in 1969. Became a member of the Junior Jet Club and visited the cockpit. I was mesmerised by such an awesome experience. Though they were quiet inside the cabin......you should've heard the noise when watching one take off. The flight inspired me so much I can remember saying to my parents 'I'm going to be a pilot when I grow up'. Later in life I did just that and took my ATPL.

[@nickbannister775]

Flew in these many times whilst in the military, loved it but then I would seeing my dad was Chief Designer of the VC10s hydraulics on the undercarriage at Weybridge.

[@_Mentat]

I recall many happy flights from Nairobi to London on VC10s, back in the '60s. I lived in Arusha and the flight from there to Nairobi was on a DC3 with the luggage piled up at the back of the cabin. Since the crew didn't bother closing the door during the flight I was always slighly worried for my suitcase.

[@neilturner6749]

Great story. I recently flew Nairobi to Arusha on a rather tatty ATR42 and although a bit faster than your DC3, they’re not significantly more refined from a passengers experience!

[@markhepworth]

The red stained lips become a warning...

[@karstenjackson-lange5516]

Loved flying in the VC 10 when small but all seats faced backwards as it was an RAF plane also later going to Northern Ireland on deployment