VC10 Stuns Crowds at Wings and Wheels 2015
01 September 2015
Among the star-studded line-up of aircraft and motors at this years annual Wings and Wheels event was the Museum's own VC10 aircraft which made a spectacular public debut.
Two days of action, skill and daring filled the skies and the runway at the 11th Wings and Wheels event this year on 29th & 30th August. Brooklands Museum once again organised all the motoring demonstrations on the runway sourcing some of the world’s most exotic, outrageous and awesome vehicles around. And for the first time since its retirement from RAF service in 2013, Brooklands’ Vickers VC10 airborne tanker made its live public appearance with a full-bore-acceleration taxying demonstration on the Sunday at 9.30am. This example, which carries the RAF serial number ZA150 was the very last VC10 of 54 built at Brooklands in the 1960s and was converted to an air-to-air refuelling tanker in 1984, several years after its airline service was completed.
Since it was retired from RAF service and acquired by the Museum in September 2013, this was its first public display and was the closest most people will ever get to see a taxying aircraft of this size. As the 9.30am allotted time approached, an anxious crowd line prepared their cameras. Right on schedule, this queen of the skies roared into life sending swirls of grey smoke from its engines before making a majestic pass on the runway. Turning at the other end, it made an equally impressive return pass before taking up its residence adjacent to the motoring enclosure. there, a constant stream of visitors queued to venture inside and chat to Museum Volunteers about its history and workings.
A donation of £3 per person was suggested to go towards its upkeep and maintenance.
The aircraft will remain at Dunsfold Park but for visitors who are interested in finding out more about the VC10, the Museum has two examples as part of its aviation collection which are on permanent display.
