Thank you Jett203 for this excellent video. As an RAF pilot, I flew VC10s for over a decade. This video is my go-to when I want to reconnect with the memories - the crackle of the Conways is unmistakable. Brilliant production.
Flew in a VC10 to Montreal in 1969, IMO the most magnificent airliner design ever. And this video really captures the fantastic crackle of its 4 Conways.
One of the most graceful aircraft to grace our skies , still holds the record of the fastest airliner to fly from New York to London Heathrow behind Concorde.
Feel the power! Sad that they're coming to the end, a truly magnificent airliner that has given stalwart service. Heard one depart Brize a few years back on QRA Quite simply shattering !! Love the comment from the pilot of the next aircraft for departure :-)
nothing beats the sound of a turbojet engine, i used to love watching md-80's take off when i worked at the airport and the whole ground would vibrate but this aircraft is somethiing else. long live turbojet engines :)
Such a classic British airliner; so sad that the RAF are now retiring them. How nice it would be for one to be preserved or kept flying. Little chance I guess due to the current economic climate!
Nice plane. Flew on the VC10 on a refuelling flight in 2004 or 05. Was working as a 'civvie', at Brize at the time, doing SIFF & TCAS mods plus fixing fuel leaks. It's wing construction method (large machined panels, rather than single wing skins) combined with it's age, meant it leaked like a sieve. On the flight I could see it's over-wing access panel were leaking (just very slowly seeping though) - made visible by it's matt grey paint. Fantastic aircraft.
Beautiful aircraft; I was lucky enough to fly in her sister ship VC10 XV105 in 2008. The VC10 is such an elegant aircraft; great video; please post more.
What a shame when they get retired - they spent longer in the RAF than I did ! always seemed to get XV102 and XV109 on my many trips to Bahrain and Ascension Island 1970s and 80s. Was quite a sight watching the "Moonrocket" take off from Manama in a cloud of sand, and the BOAC 10s as well - used to shake the whole camp for about 5 minutes as they climbed away- Ah memories ! And flying backwards !
Back in the early seventies, I can remember 2 occasions when I was at Brisbane Airport, and a VC10 was firing up on the other side of the apron, presumably bringing all the pressures up. My brother and I both had our hands over our ears, and he yelled at me, "That's BOAC Hushpower for you!"
@Jett203 Bravo!!!! Beautifully done. You secured the sound of ATC, along with those thunderous Rolls-Royce Conway turbofans. Exceptional resolution! This goes into my "favorites" module.
When I lived in Calgary 5 years ago (possibly still are) these RAF's it was wonderful hearing these things take off, thundering every week or two. I'm guessing they were bringing in soldiers for training at the British Army training camp which is about 140 miles east of Calgary near Medicine Hat
To DiAct, the back wing is an all moving tailplane (a British invention) and attached to the rear edge of this are the elevators. On the main wings, the flaps are attached along the trailing edge and slats are on the leading edge, both of which increase lift. I agree with you that it is an awesome plane, probably one of the best looking ever made. Just a shame that the engines kick out so much smoke. Best sounding engines ever on the ground though.
Had an interesting flight on an RAF VC10 in the early 80's. I was in the Air Training Corps and on a summer camp at RAF Brize Norton. It was a training flight during which the pilot performed several touch n go's. As this was straight after lunch, many of us saw our lunch again. Still it was a great flight which included a 5 minute visit to the cockpit in flight.
I thought they were used for refueling? Heyho, what do I know! All I know is that I LURVE VC10s! Awesome birds! Look at the lift! I used to travel Middle East to London in them back in the day, and all of us loved their power; they way they vibrated with it...we felt safe. The curtains between the sections used to fall back at a 45 deg angle at take off! Thank you so much for posting such a great vid, Jett203 :D
@AyDavey21 thought they were tankers. I flew commercially on the VC10 - twice to Khartoum (via Cairo). By that time - 1978? - the interiors were all well worn, but taking off at Khartoum was a real thrill. The pilot held the VC10 on the brakes before we set off, so we rocketed down the runway.Them was the days!
I watched touch and goes at Brize Norten one evening in summer of 70 or 71. Not that noisy as I recall but Concord was being flight tested from Fairford and that was loud. I was visiting from Ramstein (F102 and F4 at the time) where it was always noisy. VC10 was also used for the Royal Flight in those times. The birds have held up better than Prince Philip.
There are 3 different types in service with the RAF. 1 is freight and troops 1 is Air to air refueling and troops but not alot! and 1 is refueling between 60 and 80 tons worth. When on ops they can consolidate the fuel to one aircraft so that the others can go back to base and do what is required
@WingNuts2010 Yes, with the engines at the back the wing was totally for flying, with no engine pylons interrupting the aerodynamics. I love the Küchemann carrots.
Saw one land at St John's (YYT) five or so years ago. He had the left refueling hose out and there was a bit of smoke when it impacted. They escort RAF fighters to and from Canada quite a bit. I think we see them more now that the RAF closed out their training at Goose Bay.
@strontiumdog19 Couldn't agree more. There is no more striving to be the best.. no more ground-breaking achievements. Imagine if we could rebuild the concord, with modern technology, with modern design, with modern engines. Imagine what we could achieve now, if things like concord, the VC10 and the Vulcan are almost half a century old. I fear this magic will never exist again.
Brilliant, well captured, not too much camera shake and excellent quality as ever from you. I think you have some excellent videos out there! If you are interested in becoming a pilot for a Virtual Airline called Northern which is based at Manchester, contact me!
Great vid, thanks for posting. Were these aircraft ever used as general passenger airliners? I remember bulding an airfix model as a kid which had the distinctive 4 engines at the tail, but I'm pretty sure that was a passenger jet....either that, or I painted it totally with the wrong colours!!
whowww never knew these flaps on the back wing could flip aswell. does the normal wings on this plane dont have flaps? stunning! Yeah awesome plane, and the sound outstanding :D
