BAC VC-10

1964’€“70

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The British Aircraft Corp. VC-10 and its Super VC-10 variant are long-range, high-payload jetliners, distinguished by their four Rolls-Royce turbofan engines mounted below the tail and a horizontal stabilizer on top of the rudder.
  • First flown in June 1962 and built in Weybridge, England, the VC-10 entered commercial service on routes such as London to West Africa.
  • These powerful airliners offer significant thrust, surpassing that of the International 707, allowing for high maximum takeoff weights.
  • Both VC-10 variants achieve high performance, including a cruise speed of 86% of the speed of sound, with the Super VC-10 offering increased length, range, and payload.
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STANDARD DATA: (Super VC-10) Seats 131-174. Gross wt. 335,000. Empty wt. 155,380. Fuel capacity 23,257. Engines four 22,500-lb. s.t. Rolls-Royce turbofans.
PERFORMANCE: Top mph 581. Cruise mph 550. Initial climb rate 2,300. Range 4,720. Ceiling 42,000. Takeoff distance (35′) 8,300. Landing distance (50) 7,000.

The British Aircraft Corp. VC-10 is a long-range high payload jetliner. With all four of its turbofan engines mounted in two sets below the tail and its horizontal stabilizer mounted on top of the rudder, the airliner presents a picture of strength and speed. First flown in June 1962, four years after the introduction of the DC-8 in America, the airliners initially went into commercial service on a route to West Africa from London. The airliner was built in Weybridge, England, by the former Vickers of Rome Aircraft. The four powerful Rolls-Royce engines, with a total of 18,000 pounds more than the International 707, permit a maximum takeoff weight of 312,000 pounds for the standard VC-10 and over one-third of a million pounds for the later Super VC-10. The Super VC-10 is 13 feet longer than standard and has an increased range and payload. Both the VC-10 and the Super VC-10 will cruise at 86% of the speed of sound.

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