Built in Britain, Vickers VC10 entered the jet race after the comet. When it was produced, it was the world’s first (true) long range intercontinental jet transport. It had enough seating capacity for 187 passengers and a cruise speed of 581 mph, and a range of 7600km (4720 miles).
With its huge fowler flaps and large wings, the VC-10 was designed to give good runway performance from higher altitude airports & hotter climates. The four rear-mounted Rolls Royce Conway bypass engines was specifically placed there to cut down on cabin noise.
Despite these, the VC10 was far from a commercial success, with only a total of 52 aircrafts delivered. Most aircrafts were taken by BOAC (now British Airways), and they were retired during the 1980s. Other airlines did take up a tiny amount of VC-10, such as British Caledonian, Ghana, Malawi, Gulf Air, Nigerian and East African (Super VC10s). The RAF also used both types, taking most of the surplus from BOAC's reduced orders. These VC10s were used as
a refuelling tanker.
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