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CROWOOD AVIATION SERIES
VICKERS VC10
Lance Cole
The Vickers VC10 was Britain's answer to the American jet age giants, the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8. As such the VC10 was not a British version of these early generation jet transports, but an aeroplane of advanced design and capability.
Designed and built to exacting standards, the VC10 was designed to operate in the difficult and demanding operating environment of the so-called 'Empire' routes, which combined tropical conditions with limited facilities. The VC10's payload, range and performance needs were far in excess of those of the 707 and DC-8, and its success in meeting those requirements was a tribute to the designers and the aeroplane itself.
This was an aeroplane that was beloved by passengers and crews alike. The VC10 was easy to fly and stunning to look at. With the first use of a big T-tail and four rear-mounted engines, its clean wing and ultra-safe design made it a favourite in many ways. The aircraft was also modified into the 'Super' stretched version, which performed well on many of the Atlantic routes for BOAC. The independent British United Airways also made much use of the VC10. In Africa the VC10 attained near mythical status with East African Airlines, Ghana and Nigeria Airways, and the RAF version is now part of RAF folklore as both a transport and an air-to-air refuelling platform.
The potential of the VC10 was often overshadowed and affected by the politics surrounding it. Its future potential was never fully exploited and much of the lead the Vickers team enjoyed with their advanced design work was lost as a result.
Lance Cole tells the full story of the design, development and operational use of the VC10. Using much previously unseen archive material and interviews with former Vickers employees, he has gathered together a fascinating story, which is a fine tribute to a superb airliner.
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