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-   -   Sultan of Oman VC10 at Weybridge/Brooklands (https://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/490433-sultan-oman-vc10-weybridge-brooklands.html)

airsmiles 15th Jul 2012 16:46

Renton was also where the B707's/B720's were built and the early turbojet models weren't noted for their STOL performance!

Jhieminga 15th Jul 2012 19:17

I don't have this chart for a Standard VC10 unfortunately and also this gives figures for a wet runway while a dry runway provides a lot more grip for the tires.

http://www.vc10.net/div/LDR_chart.jpg

Empty weights for a Standard are in the range of 67000 kg so let's assume that we've got an aircraft of 70000 kg or thereabouts. From the graph above this would need a 5000 feet runway but as I said you'd need to subtract the difference between a wet and a dry runway and also this figure is from a 30 feet height above threshold, not from touchdown.

Conclusion remains that a landing at Brooklands was a 'special' landing, but still it could be done.

waco 15th Jul 2012 19:45

I had the great pleasure to work for Captain Dave Parsons (not flying, a ground position) a number of years ago.

Had the very highest opinion of him and was sorry not to say so on his retirement.

If anyone keeps in touch with him please say hi and thanks from me !

Groundloop 16th Jul 2012 10:32


I look down on where the old Clydebank shipyard used to be, and can't really believe that the classic Queen liners were launched from such a restricted site into such a narow river, and then sailed along it out to sea.
The slipways at John Brown's where the Queens were built were angled so that they pointed up the mouth of the River Cart on the opposite side of the Clyde. You can see them on Google Earth if you go back to the 1945 imagery.

Lukeafb1 16th Jul 2012 11:59

I was director of the official camera crew commissioned to film the VC10 landing at Brooklands. We used two cameras (Betacam).

The aircraft did indeed carry out one flyby and then landed TOWARDS the railway track. It actually used somewhat less than half the remaining runway having approached fairly low over the new estate of houses. The arrival was not publicised for obvious reasons and from recollection there were probably no more than ten of us on the airfield. Although two fire tenders from LHR, sort of gave the game away.

I still have the footage, along with interviews with the crew. HOWEVER, the tapes are lost in the shambles of my attic, so I can't provide any footage. In fact I was asked some years ago by (I believe) Dutch Television, if I could find them, with no success.

Jhieminga 16th Jul 2012 18:32

Hello Lukeafb1, I think it was me who got in touch with you about that a few years back. Did you get my PM which I sent yesterday?

Lukeafb1 17th Jul 2012 06:21

Hi J,

I didn't get your private message until this morning when I got into work.

I really did try to find the footage for you, honest! However, I have a large loft which is absolutely full of stuff. I will try again, however I am away for the next few weeks. But rest assured, if I do find them, I will certainly contact you.

Proplinerman 17th Jul 2012 18:51

Here's a photo I took of the Sultan's-very plush-personal quarters on the aircraft, some years ago:

JetPhotos.Net Photo » A4O-AB (CN: 820) Oman - Royal Flight Vickers VC-10 by Michael Blank

PLovett 18th Jul 2012 05:07

I know its not the VC10 but this clip of the BAC 1-11 landing at Brooklands does show just how quickly the beasties can be pulled up.

BAC 1-11 at Bristol and then the last flight landing at Brooklands

R for Robert 19th Jul 2012 15:12

In reply to post 19, we have a tremendous problem with the proximity of the trees. Washing the whole aircraft can take several days, so an anti alge solution has been applied. From washing once every six months, the period has been extended to about once every two years. Interestingly, the wing nearest the trees has remained clean while the port wing is in need of a clean. This is probably due to the fact that when that wing was treated, it was followed by a rain shower.

Regarding the runway length, the figures are 3750' and with the extension 4150'

The width was 255'

HZ123 24th Jul 2012 06:03

Questions about 1-11's
 
The colour scheme reminds me of a 1-11 that arrived at East Base BA from South America and was refurbished and came out for a LTN based start up Mediterean Airlines ? The company failed before it started up and then do not know what became of it ?

While I am on within the East Pen TBA BA we had for many months another 1-11 up on blocks in the corner with a Saudi registration, can anyone tell me about this. This would have been in the early 80's.

Sadly in those days I was never that interested then, now I find all these posts interesting. Still at least one flying in the USA ?

mcaviator 7th Sep 2012 17:44

VC10s returned to Brooklands
 
I know VC10 prototype G-ARTA returned to Brooklands, and some of the early BOAC Standards for drag mods, etc.

I am trying to establish a full list of those which did so with dates where possible (and also when flown out again).

Any details or snippets much appreciated.

sandringham1 10th Sep 2012 20:45

HZ123 The ex-South American 1-11 was a -475 G-AZUK. The Saudi one was HZ-BL1 a srs 401, when the legs were removed for overhaul in 1988 they were found to be of an early build standard, somewhere halfway between srs200 and srs400. It meant a lot of parts had to be manufactured which took over 3 months. The aircraft sat on jacks for the duration. Richard

NutLoose 11th Sep 2012 01:45

We actually went over to coat it with a none stick product shortly after it arrived and before I left the RAF, we provided a search as the museum didn't have access to one, we also donated a new set of blanks for it, engine etc.. I remember we took an RAF Sherpa van for a blast round the banked track lol and were given a fascinating tour around the museum site. They had just had some movement sensors donated that we're set up around the Ten after some Gyppo's had taken up residency in it.
I believe they said it had been offered to the RAF as a dedicated VIP when it was retired, but they turned it down.

Dan Winterland 11th Sep 2012 05:07

@ Jehminga.

A40 AB is a standard VC10 with a different braking system to the Super. The Standard had the mechanical Maxaret system whereas the Super has a more modern elcetrical antiskid which is fare more efficient. The Super charts are not particularly relevant.

D120A 11th Sep 2012 06:47

mcaviator,

G-ARVF had returned to Brooklands in late July or early August 1963 and was, IIRC, the first to return. It was parked outside and was still there at the end of that month when my university vacation training ended. 'VG and 'VH had not yet flown. I remember being disappointed at not having seen a VC-10 departure during my time there.

Hope that helps.

Jhieminga 11th Sep 2012 18:01


Originally Posted by Dan Winterland
A40 AB is a standard VC10 with a different braking system to the Super. The Standard had the mechanical Maxaret system whereas the Super has a more modern elcetrical antiskid which is fare more efficient. The Super charts are not particularly relevant.

That is a good point and one which I had not taken into account. A4O-AB is indeed fitted with the old Maxaret units.

http://www.vc10.net/div/A4O-AB_maxarets.jpg


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