the best looking aircraft
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So many to chose from!
Super Connie
Viiscount
DC 7
Fokker F 27
Carvair - had a certain something
DH Heron
DH Dragon Rapide
TSR2
Avro Lancaster
DH Mosquito
Spitfire & Seafire
A 10
Vulcan
DH Otter
Bell 47
Buccaneer
Super Connie
Viiscount
DC 7
Fokker F 27
Carvair - had a certain something
DH Heron
DH Dragon Rapide
TSR2
Avro Lancaster
DH Mosquito
Spitfire & Seafire
A 10
Vulcan
DH Otter
Bell 47
Buccaneer
"Strange thing is, the VC10 photos above could be the same airframe"
Not so.
G-ARVB, the aircraft in evansb's picture, was traded in for ba's B747 deal and then unceremoniously destroyed at Heathrow.
5 ex-Gulf Air, ex-BOAC 'standard' VC10s became VC10K2s. The Gulf Air shot shows, I think, G-ARVI; this became A40-VI with Gulf Air and then ZA141 'C' with the RAF. It was the last ever 'Standard' VC10 left flying and was ferried to St Athan on 27 Mar 01 commanded by the grand-daughter of the original BOAC VC10 Flight Manager who first flew it in the early 1960s - his son, her father, also commanded it during its time with BOAC.
The aircraft with the Reds is a VC10C1K, converted from an original-build RAF VC10 C Mk 1.
The aircraft in the AAR shot are another VC10C1K in the old 'truckie' colour scheme and VC10K4 ZD242 'P', ex-ba Super VC10 G-ASGP which was the first VC10K4 to fly.
In addition, 4 ex-EAAC Supers were converted into VC10K3s; with additional fuselage tanks and a fin tank, as well as 3 hoses, these are the RAF's most capable VC10s in the AAR role.
And all look nice - but are getting very, very old!
Not so.
G-ARVB, the aircraft in evansb's picture, was traded in for ba's B747 deal and then unceremoniously destroyed at Heathrow.
5 ex-Gulf Air, ex-BOAC 'standard' VC10s became VC10K2s. The Gulf Air shot shows, I think, G-ARVI; this became A40-VI with Gulf Air and then ZA141 'C' with the RAF. It was the last ever 'Standard' VC10 left flying and was ferried to St Athan on 27 Mar 01 commanded by the grand-daughter of the original BOAC VC10 Flight Manager who first flew it in the early 1960s - his son, her father, also commanded it during its time with BOAC.
The aircraft with the Reds is a VC10C1K, converted from an original-build RAF VC10 C Mk 1.
The aircraft in the AAR shot are another VC10C1K in the old 'truckie' colour scheme and VC10K4 ZD242 'P', ex-ba Super VC10 G-ASGP which was the first VC10K4 to fly.
In addition, 4 ex-EAAC Supers were converted into VC10K3s; with additional fuselage tanks and a fin tank, as well as 3 hoses, these are the RAF's most capable VC10s in the AAR role.
And all look nice - but are getting very, very old!
XV103 was the last VC10 to wear the traditional white/blue/grey Transport Command colour scheme. It was not painted all-over grey and was scrapped in 2002. Last time I looked it's carcass could still be seen on the Google earth image of St Athan.
ZD242 is still going strong as one of the last 2 former BA VC10s still flying.
The grey paint scheme always looks nice when freshly applied, but fades to different shades very quickly under the hot desert sun - as seen in the Reds shot. The old white scheme looked smarter for longer and the C1s also received a bit more TLC when being readied for VIP duties. I thought the two-tone hemp scheme was horrible, it just needed a vinyl roof to complete the Cortina look! BOAC blue/white/gold wins the top marks.
ZD242 is still going strong as one of the last 2 former BA VC10s still flying.
The grey paint scheme always looks nice when freshly applied, but fades to different shades very quickly under the hot desert sun - as seen in the Reds shot. The old white scheme looked smarter for longer and the C1s also received a bit more TLC when being readied for VIP duties. I thought the two-tone hemp scheme was horrible, it just needed a vinyl roof to complete the Cortina look! BOAC blue/white/gold wins the top marks.
Mr Hippo, what have you got against the Hawker Hunter, nominated by at least two of us and still, for me, unquestionably the most beautiful combination of form and function that has ever flown, unless you are including gliders, of course, which we seem not to be. Concorde, VC10, many others in your list, OK they look nice, especially Concorde. But none touches the Hunter.
Beagle and Brain Potter thanks for those very knowledgeable posts; fascinating.
Beagle and Brain Potter thanks for those very knowledgeable posts; fascinating.
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Its Concorde for me, I took this photo at LHR on 10th November 2003, the last flight of G-BOAD to JFK, a very sad day. Great departure with very large crowd, loads of cheering and even some crying
Red On, Green On
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Being ex FAA, I have a particular love for all things RN.
I do like the Sea Hornet:
And the Sea Fury is quite handsome:
I do like the Sea Hornet:
And the Sea Fury is quite handsome:
Brain Potter, there was never a 'two-tone' hemp finish applied to the VC10K.
Upper surfaces were hemp, lower were light grey.
You may have seen photos of one aircraft during GW1, which had a lighter top surface. Despite the rumours spread in some spotter-comics, the sole reason for this was that the aeroplane was returned to sevice before the re-paint being conducted at the time could be finished - the painters hadn't reached th top of the fuselage before the jet was rushed back to the squadron.
The worst VC10K colour scheme ever was the green and grey camouflage originally applied to VC10K2 ZA141 'B'. Fortunately 'The Lizard' was soon re-painted in hemp.
The original 'John Major grey' finish had a pansy wedgewood blue cheat line - which we all hated. This infamous 'blue vein' was soon discarded and all aircraft finally ended up in 'John Major grey' with dark grey cheat line. Oh yes...
Upper surfaces were hemp, lower were light grey.
You may have seen photos of one aircraft during GW1, which had a lighter top surface. Despite the rumours spread in some spotter-comics, the sole reason for this was that the aeroplane was returned to sevice before the re-paint being conducted at the time could be finished - the painters hadn't reached th top of the fuselage before the jet was rushed back to the squadron.
The worst VC10K colour scheme ever was the green and grey camouflage originally applied to VC10K2 ZA141 'B'. Fortunately 'The Lizard' was soon re-painted in hemp.
The original 'John Major grey' finish had a pansy wedgewood blue cheat line - which we all hated. This infamous 'blue vein' was soon discarded and all aircraft finally ended up in 'John Major grey' with dark grey cheat line. Oh yes...
Horton Ho-229:
Prototype in a sorry state:
Thankfully this airplane didn't alter the course of history, but a beautiful design it was.
Prototype in a sorry state:
Thankfully this airplane didn't alter the course of history, but a beautiful design it was.
The VC10 might look good in the gloss grey as seen on the new TriStar scheme. This now incorporates the zig-zag cheat-line, so perhaps it ought to be designated as the 2 Gp "brand" and applied to Nimrods, E3s, Sentinels etc 
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Concorde, simply stunning from all angles!
F-104 Starfighter
T-38 in NASA white
F-111 with wings swept
The L1011 for a three engine type and of course, the foure engine type would be the DC8-62, with the A340-500 a close second.
F-104 Starfighter
T-38 in NASA white
F-111 with wings swept
The L1011 for a three engine type and of course, the foure engine type would be the DC8-62, with the A340-500 a close second.
