VC-10 Preservation

[N707ZS]

Were the VC-10s offered for preservation at museums like the Nimrods or were they just signed off as scrap. Is it just one for Cosford and one for Bruntingthorpe? Not even one for the gate at Brize!

[VC10man]

The last Super VC10 from the BA/BOAC fleet has been retired to Bruntisthorpe. I would love to see it saved from the torch. She first flew when I was 19 years old, I will be getting my pension next month, what a fantastic plane the VC10 was. She worked while I worked.

[WHBM]

There are a number of them already preserved and on display. A BOAC one at Duxford, a UAE Government one (ex-BOAC) at Hermeskiel in Germany, a UAE Government one (ex-B. Cal) at Weybridge. Out of just 54 built, it's not a bad tally.

[Jhieminga]

And there's the fuselage of G-ARVM (ex BOAC/BA) also at Brooklands, next to the Sultan of Oman's VC10 A4O-AB.

So that's three complete airframes plus a complete fuselage already preserved, XR808 will be going to Cosford and Bruntingthorpe will keep one 'live' as well. Five (and bits) out of a total production run of 54 is not bad. And if you're up for more, there are plans to keep one flying but this still needs a lot of work and support, this thread has information about that project: A Little VC10derness • View topic - Keep one VC10 flying!

[falcon12]

Word is the 808 'BoB' is to go to Cosford. Originally the plan was to fly it in. Now since it is said that they are no qualified crews for the job, Cosford being a bit short and a special approach needed, that it will go to Brunty, be disassembled, trucked to Cosford and reassembled - all at the taxpayers expense!!

[dixi188]

Wouldn't it be possible for one of the remaining VC-10 crews to practice short landings on a few occasions at Brize, to then be able to land at Cosford. A bit like the Vanguard crew did before landing at Weybridge.
I'm sure an empty VC-10 could stop in 2000ft so the 3700ft runway should be enough.

[Fareastdriver]

If you can get a B52 into Duxford I would have thought that you could get a VC 10 into Cosford with reverse thrust.

Mind you: I saw the B52 a couple of weeks later and the brakes were still cooling down.

[WHBM]

I believe that Gloucester Staverton has an area marked out on its main runway which replicates the length and markings of London City and is used for training the steep approache into the short runway.

Any ideas when the last VC-10 flight of all is likely to be made later this year ?

[Tiger_mate]

When I had a similar conversation to the Nimrod mates wrt landing an almost empty aircraft on the short 3900' runway, I was told that to RTS will not be made flexible even for a final flight as these days nobody takes additional (& documented) risk. The pragmatic view would be to wait for an easterly wind to avoid approaching over the railway embankment, and I dare say that in practical terms it could be done: MAA approval would be a different matter.

[Tupperware Pilot]

Had to go and have a look at the ones at Bruntingthorpe today, shame the sun was not coming out!
[IMG] VC-10's... by Air Frame Photography, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG] How long has this old classic left? by Air Frame Photography, on Flickr[/IMG]

[flyawaybird]

VC10man

And had least aircrashed or accidents compared to Boengs.

[LAS1997]

I was walking along the old Wisley runway last weekend and imagining how it must have been in the 1960's with VC10's flying in from Brooklands to be completed and flight tested. How nice it would be to see a VC10 do a low fly past at the airfield some time this year before they are all retired.

[Skipness One Echo]

Are the stored VC10s at Bruntingthorpe visible from a public place?

[DaveReidUK]

Are the stored VC10s at Bruntingthorpe visible from a public place?

There are reports that if you pay your fiver to visit the museum (open on Sundays) then you can walk from there over to the scrapping area provided that there's no work going on.

Bruntingthorpe Aircraft Museum | Aircraft History

YMMV.

[bluepilot]

Just looked at some pictures of the VC10, hard to believe its a 50 year old design, still looks very modern and graceful. It would be nice to see one kept in flying condition, but its a huge cost, would be nice to see a trident, viscount, vanguard etc flying but it is so cost prohibitive......happy memories.

[avionic type]

I may be wrong but I believe the VC10s at Brutingthorpe are being broken up for spares, can anyone tell me how many have been broken up and how many are still flying surly there will come a time when there will be a surplus of spares for the remainig planes something the R.A.F.never had before then what will they do ? scrap metal anyone .

[DaveReidUK]

I may be wrong but I believe the VC10s at Bruntingthorpe are being broken up for spares

They're being broken up for the same reason any aircraft is broken up - because their useful life is considered to be over and they are surplus to requirements.

Spares recovery is a by-product and, in this case, probably irrelevant given that the survivors aren't going to be in service for much longer either.

[Chris Scott]

Quote from LAS1997:
"I was walking along the old Wisley runway last weekend and imagining how it must have been in the 1960's with VC10's flying in from Brooklands to be completed and flight tested. How nice it would be to see a VC10 do a low fly past at the airfield some time this year before they are all retired."

One can dream...

Last year, when Brooklands Museum was celebrating the 50th anniversary of G-ARTA's maiden flight, I heard they sounded out the RAF with the possibility of a flyby. I doubt LHR ATC would have objected, but - for whatever reason - they were unable to oblige. There's no room for sentiment, I guess, when they are facing virtual oblivion with the defence cuts.

Those who have flown the beasts can at least reaquaint ourselves with our old "office" at Brooklands, for a modest entry fee. But their grandchildren might be impressed by experiencing the sight and sound, before the last airworthy one is broken up.

Pity that Maggie - a VC10 fan - has dictated no flypast for her funeral in London next week...

[flyawaybird]

Dear All VC10s lovers,

This beautiful aircraft should not just be sent home to retire. By all means VC10s should be preserved intact as Aviation Museum Project for most beautiful, safe and successful British aircraft. In the world a lot of things and animals are saved and kept as a heritage for generations to come. I believe all aviation lovers should start a fund and I won't mind participating in whatever level.

Just a suggestion to avoid scrapping these beautiful aircrafts. Any seconders?

By the way EAA had five SVC10s which could have been purchased and used by RAF.

Thank you.

[Jhieminga]

Originally Posted by avionic type

can anyone tell me how many have been broken up and how many are still flying

Yes, see the table at the bottom of this page: RAF VC10s

Originally Posted by Chris Scott

Last year, when Brooklands Museum was celebrating the 50th anniversary of G-ARTA's maiden flight, I heard they sounded out the RAF with the possibility of a flyby. I doubt LHR ATC would have objected, but - for whatever reason - they were unable to oblige.

It was explained by the OC 101 Sqn at the anniversary that all the available VC10s had a task to do that day. A pity, but in a way it was also good to know that the VC10 was still flying around and doing useful work.

Originally Posted by flyawaybird

By the way EAA had five SVC10s which could have been purchased and used by RAF.

By the time the EAA VC10s were reposessed by BAC there were only four left as 5X-UVA was destroyed in an accident in 1972. The remaining four were purchased from BAC by the RAF, see here: The Tanker Conversions
Three of these ex-EAA VC10s are still flying to this day. Only ZA149, ex 5X-UVJ, has been retired a month ago.

Posts #4 and #5 on this thread give some info on the current plans for the VC10s to be preserved. If you want to start a fund for preserving another one I would suggest starting with a five-figure sum as that is the rough amount needed just to get one. Then add a multiple of the starting sum to secure a location to keep the aircraft, conserve it, restore it, etcetera. At this point in time with only a few months left it might be more productive to put all efforts behind the two airframes which already have a shot at being preserved: XR808 at Cosford and one at Bruntingthorpe. Or support the museums which already have one to ensure that those airframes are kept for a future generation.

Just my two cents.