Final Flight of Two VC10s

[Daisy Duke]

I was at Bruntingthorpe on Tuesday, and whilst I was there two VC10s flew in on their final flight before being scrapped. They put on a bit of a show doing a couple of low passes before making their final landings. I took some video of them but it's a bit shaky as I was being buffeted by the wind and I couldn't stop shivering (and I'm rubbish with a video camera ). So I'm sorry it's not great quality but I hope it's of some interest anyway.

The pair arriving in formation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32p3hUVZHoY

Making a low pass

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5S_C3kKMi0

Making their final landings

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne3wCub3NE8

[FourWheelDrift]

Some photos on here too - http://www.vc10.net/news.html

Works started already to recover spares to keep the remaining fleet airbourne.

[spitfire-ian]

I'm up there tomorrow with the Lightning lot and will see if I can some pictures if I can get near them.

[williamp]

spitfire-ian said:

I'm up there tomorrow with the Lightning lot and will see if I can some pictures if I can get near them.

can you smuggle me in too?? I live close by

[Mojocvh]

Always a sad moment.

[Magog]

Mojocvh said:

Always a sad moment.

Yeah thats the thing with planes, there isn't a slow decline like there is with boats, trains cars etc. One day there perfectly servicable and flying, then they're not.

Thanks for the videos, really poignant.

[Flanders.]

Hmm sad day .

[tubster1275]

At least they put on a good show on the way out...as did the guy in the Tucano who did a fly by to make sure the airfield hadn't moved!!

What amazed me was that within an hour of them landing one was fenced off and they were already working to remove the engines and getting ready to jack and remove the gear.

Cheers,

Mike

[NismoGT]

I have never seen a VC-10 live , the noise is incredible!

[spitfire-ian]

Just got back from Bruntingthorpe and managed to get a look at the VC-10s. They've started breaking one but the amazing thing is just how good a condition they're in. It's a shame they have to go but if they keep the others flying for longer then it can only be a good thing.

NismoGT said:

I have never seen a VC-10 live , the noise is incredible!

A video I took on my mobile phone at Brize Norton in 2008...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fUXmGy5XRg

You are right, they are loud!!

Edited by spitfire-ian on Saturday 10th April 21:54

[Hard-Drive]

Gutted. Just a superb looking aircraft.

[PAUL. S]

They come directly over my house quite low when they are doing a test circuit out of St Athan, you know its a VC10 long before it appears, one hell of an old school roar.

[M3crab]

I've flow all over the world on these. Lower holds are a bit on the low side as my back will tell you. Getting a TPU on and off can be a bundle of laughs. Especially southside at 0300 in the pouring rain. Or stacking the vent full of exercise baggage.

[Nickyboy]

Real shame, many a time i've seen them come in to Brize as i've been coming down the A34 on a summers evening, looks great against the sunset

[anonymous-user]

Here's one for you VC-10 fans. Was out just cleaning the windscreen of the Focus this afternoon and looked up and saw a T-Tailed jet.

Grabbed the camera and caught this!!



It's not every day you see one of those!!

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 11th April 19:18

[FourWheelDrift]

Wow, an Ilyushin Il-62, you're right you don't see too many of them flying these days.

[anonymous-user]

I don't recall ever seeing an Il-62 before today. According to a post on UKAR it is operated by the Ukranian Government. Was very high, did't look like it was going to be stopping off in the UK. Was heading west towards London.

[FourWheelDrift]

Yep, sawtooth leading edge and smaller (shorter) top to the T tail = IL-62.

Over here rarer than an VC-10. I think only ex-Soviet countries I can't spell still operate them. Other than the Ukrainians you mention.

Edited by FourWheelDrift on Sunday 11th April 19:51

[Merritt]

I had the pleasure of a number of flights on the Omani VC10 that is now rotting away at Brooklands. Its a terrible shame to see it in the state it is in now & to see these two finally being put to rest just brings back memories.


PIC

Edited by Merritt on Sunday 11th April 20:29

Edited by Merritt on Sunday 11th April 20:30

[clarkey]

I get a pair of them over home fairly often, always a good sound

Edited by clarkey on Sunday 11th April 20:43