VC10 preservation (ex-Keep one VC10 flying) thread

[Sterlingjob]

i wonder if we could get BA interested in this project? We have extensive overhaul shops in hayes so there could be a possibility of getting some components overhauled but at the same time im not sure they would release the components with a Form 1!
I can speak to a guy who bought the last RAF canberras, havent spoken to him in ages but he is a good bloke and maybe he can point us in the right direction.

[Manofmendip]

Hi Martin

These are the kind of things that we will discuss at our meeting on 12th December, which is definitely going ahead now. We need to get the steering committee formed first before we make any approaches to companies and authorities.

I will be picking Wolfgang up the LTN at 10.15, give or take the customs delays, and we will go to a village pub for a lunch and a serious meeting. I will post more details of the meeting time and venue when I have them.

It is very encouraging that we have such skilled personnel already interested in this project and Wolfgang and I hope that more of the forum members will join us. So, if any of you are interested please PM me your details and I will add you to our members list and hope to see you at Luton on 12th December.

Best reagrds to all.

Dave

[TPI]

Hi all,
this thread has been very interesting to read but i do tend to agree with Tonks.....I very much doubt it can happen,look at the campaign to get Concorde back in the air,commercial aircraft including the VC10 would cost huge amounts to operate and the CAA,BAES i doubt would allow it.

Food for thought that Bruntingthorpe i have heard want to keep one in full taxing condition and high speed runs.....

[vololiberista]

Even the Connies are a dying breed! I belive there are currently only three and a half in "airworthy" condition.
What should be the minimum would be to keep a VC10 hangared, thus keeping it clean and much easier to maintain. It's really sad to see other specimens slowly rotting in the rain. Even preserved railway locos are kept in engine sheds during their off-duty hours!
Having said that I was pleasantly surprised by the work put in a Brooklands. I visited shortly before the 50th. anni and the cockpit was clean, washed and dust free (compared to the previous year (it was really mucky and dilapidated) ).
vololiberista

[Manofmendip]

Thanks TPI & Vololiberista.

The meeting on 12th December is to discuss the feasibility of this project and to form a steering committee to research this. We are very aware that this is a major ask but we wish to fully explore the possibilty and feaibility of it. Please do PM me if you would like to be involved in this appraisal.

A venue for the meeting will be announced as soon as I have located one but it will be somewhere in the Luton area, as that is where Wolfgang can fly iinto from Germany on Easyjet.

We currently have a recent VC10 Captain & Training Pilot and two AGEs on our team, together with Wolfgang, who has experience of two projects of this type in Germany.

I agree that the Brooklands Museum VC10 is in better shape than when I last saw it.

Wolfgang and I both agree that keeping the VC10 hangared is essential.

Best regards to all.

Dave

[Laurieg]

I think this is going to be a very working group. The hurdles are enormouse and I think they may be too much. The best will in the world won't get around officaldom but lets try to see what hurdles there are, (VTTS accepted). If flying turns out to be off the books I think we might be able to produce an exceptional addition to Brunties collection. The 10 has a big following around the world and this may be able enough to keep an example in prime condition there.

Dave, if I cannot attend would Skype help?

[Manofmendip]

Hi Laurie

There are a lot of hurdles to jump but we need to have the meeting and see what the issues are. Wolfgang is very experienced in this kind of project.

I don't have skype but he may have it, I will ask him.

We both appreciate all of the interest from people here but we need more of you to join us please, so please anyone else who would like to meet on 12th December, PM me with your contact details.

Very best wishes and regards.

Dave

[Manofmendip]

Hi Laurie

I have spoken to Wolfgang and he may be able to borrow his wife's laptop, if so, we will have Skype; all we then need is a pub with wifi.

Best wishes.

Dave

[Sterlingjob]

Last time i saw the brooklands VC10 she was in bad shape. Some serious corrosion under the wings and engine nacelles. Most aircraft spend their lives outside, the difference is they are run everyday and are maintained. If need be i can pop down to the CAA at LGW and speak to the airworthiness department and try and get some information.

[Sterlingjob]

How many VC10's are at bruntingthorpe? I would of thought they would have been donated to museums. We must keep them all in running condition!

[ACLVC10]

How many VC10's are at bruntingthorpe? I would of thought they would have been donated to museums. We must keep them all in running condition!

Bit late, some already have had the chop

[Manofmendip]

Martin

Thank you for your offer to liaise with the CAA and we will take you up on this, I'm sure, after our meeting on 12th December.

We need to wait until the meeting so that we are properly organised and we can decide who is doing what and we can approach people as a properly constituted society.

Best wishes and regards.

Dave

[peak45139]

How many VC10's are at bruntingthorpe? I would of thought they would have been donated to museums. We must keep them all in running condition!

XV106 & XV108 went to Bruntingthorpe last Wednesday so they'll be the only 2 there & are there for scrapping. The 6 in RAF service are the only ones left (all 4 K3's, 1 K4 & one C1-K)

[Tonkenna]

Don't forget that one of the reasons for scrapping the AC has been to strip them for spare parts... Not only that, how would you get them to museums? I really believe having several in museums that don't have space and money to look after them would be counter productive... How many large AC are stuck outside quickly rotting and looking awful???

Tonks

[Manofmendip]

Hi Tonks

Indeed. Large aircraft left outside quickly deteriorate and look dreadful. That is not how a great aircraft like the VC10 should be seen by future generations.

Best regards

Dave