sad looking VC10

[jindabyne]

I always thought the RAF referrred to it as the 'Vickers Funbus'.

And at Muharraq it was the 'Moon Rocket'.

[Trinity 09L]

I remember a comical interlude posted in ATC humour re an US flight to follow a VC10 (unknown type) ahead unable to find it

[Mr Oleo Strut]

Originally Posted by Jhieminga

That is indeed one of the nicknames that were used for the VC10. Stemmed from the fact that some of the parts were milled from solid, coupled with the higher weight when compared to the 707.

You're quite right. Milled from solid they were - but ally, not iron or steel. They took us down to Weybridge to see VC10 production and I well remember the massive German computer-controlled milling machines carving out huge fuselage panels including doors and windows. It was most impressive as were the mountains of shiny and curly swarf. I remember the billets of ally were several inches thick. It was quite a sight and quite a shock for us Handley Page lads used to more conventional construction methods.

[chevvron]

Originally Posted by Mr Oleo Strut

You're quite right. Milled from solid they were - but ally, not iron or steel. They took us down to Weybridge to see VC10 production and I well remember the massive German computer-controlled milling machines carving out huge fuselage panels including doors and windows. It was most impressive as were the mountains of shiny and curly swarf. I remember the billets of ally were several inches thick. It was quite a sight and quite a shock for us Handley Page lads used to more conventional construction methods.

Did a school visit to Weybridge in about '65 and saw the milling machines. The wing panels were also produced from ally sheet about 3 inches thick and were then shot blasted to curve them into the correct aerofoil section. A small offcut about 10 inches square 'happened' to find itself into the briefcase of one of my mates and it was a school trophy for many years.

[Wander00]

Quite a bit of "Over and Out" on the radios in last night's programme