Serendipity
XR 808 was, of course, the first VC10 C1 delivered to 10 Squadron on 8 July 1966. By 1988, when the Squadron was presented with its second Standard by Mrs Thatcher, the then Prime Minister, the fleet had flown for some 21/22 years of the 25 years required for that award. A new, third Standard was presented by HRH The Princess Royal in January this year, in the context of the Squadron's Centenary. So, quite by chance, as 808 (or at least its fuselage) was being taken to Cosford for reconstruction and permanent display, that second Standard was laid-up as part of this morning's Service at St Clement Dane's Church, the RAF Church, in London. It was handed over for safe keeping "until such time as it shall turn to dust" by current CO, Wg Cdr Jamie Osborne, with a contingent from both the Squadron and RAF Brize Norton, together with members of the Squadron Association, in the congregation. Another quietly memorable day for 'Shiny Ten' in this, its Centenary year.