ZA150 will land at Dunsfold on Tuesday!

[Jelle Hieminga]

The press release is just out, so now I can confirm that ZA150, ex 5H-MOG, will arrive at Dunsfold tomorrow. Guests are welcome! See below for more:

PRESS RELEASE
23 September 2013

‘Queen of the Skies’ retires to Dunsfold Park

Dunsfold Park and Brooklands Museum are pleased to announce that the last Vickers VC10 will arrive tomorrow (Tuesday 24th September) at its new permanent home, the famous Surrey airfield. The VC10, which carries the RAF serial number ZA150 was the very last VC10 of 54 built at Brooklands in the 1960s it is one of the last two flying with the RAF from Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and being retired this week.

The aircraft will be landing on the airfield at 12:30* with its six-strong aircrew and will be greeted by members of the aviation teams from Dunsfold Park and Brooklands Museum.

Jim McAllister, Chief Executive of Dunsfold Park Ltd, comments, “We are absolutely delighted to be working with Brooklands Museum to provide a new home for the Vickers ‘Queen of the Skies’ VC10. The Aerodrome has an illustrious aviation history which we are keen to remember and celebrate so this is a welcome addition to the Hunter, Sea Hawk and 747 which currently reside here.”

The RAF bought 14 new VC10s in the 1960s for strategic transport and later went on to purchase aircraft retired from the commercial market, converting a further 14 into air-to-air refuelling tankers during the 1980s and ‘90s. In total, the RAF has operated 28 VC10s of differing variants, and the aircraft conducted a range of tasks from troop and VIP transport, aero-medical missions and air sampling after nuclear tests. In recent years the VC10s have been used solely for air-to-air refuelling, with their last missions in this role having been completed on Friday 20th September. The VC10 becomes the second longest serving type in the RAF’s inventory with 47 years of service just narrowly eclipsed by the English Electric Canberra which was withdrawn in 2006.

ZA150 was originally built as 5H-MOG for East African Airways as a “Combi”, based on the Super VC10 but with a large forward freight door – which, incidentally, greatly eased the conversion of this variant into a tanker aircraft, allowing five huge fuel tanks to be installed on the main deck. After its airline service was completed, this aircraft was stored at Filton for several years before making its first flight as a tanker in 1984.

Allan Winn, Director of Brooklands Museum, says, “It is hugely important for us to have saved this aircraft as the last heavy airliner ever to be completely built at Brooklands – and indeed in the UK. But it is also significant as its retirement marks the end of an unbroken century of front-line service by Brooklands-built aircraft with the British armed forces. That is a unique record, unchallenged by any other factory-customer relationship anywhere in the world. We are delighted that Dunsfold Park has made it possible for us to house this symbolic aircraft back in Surrey.”

Dunsfold Park will be open for visitors wishing to witness this important arrival, with access via the North Gate off Stovolds Hill. Longer-term arrangements for public access to the VC10 at Dunsfold Park will be confirmed in due course.

* The arrival of the VC10 at Dunsfold is subject to weather and operational constraints: please monitor www.brooklandsmuseum.com or www.dunsfoldpark.com.

[Magnum]

Thank you Jelle. I think it is quite fitting that the last VC10 to be built is owned by Brooklands. Hopefully they will find a way to house the complete aircraft at the museum.

Is there any news of a departure time from Brize Norton yet?

[Thumper]

I think it would be safe to say track back an hour for Dunsfold and 1.5 hours for Bruntingthorpe but to be safe rather than sorry I would track back 2 hours for each departure, take a thermos and sarnies

I think it's great that Brooklands have got 150, last out, almost last in. I hope she can be kept in good condition though!

[AJW]

Sounds good!! I'd love to get to dunsfold, but it's looking unlikely....does anyone know what route it's going to take on the way? Is farnborough likely to be treated to a flypast?

[SamG-BOAF]

After going to Brize last week, I'm torn between going back to Brize and watching the last departures or going to Dunsfold and watching the last landing.

[SamG-BOAF]

After going to Brize last week, I'm torn between going back to Brize and watching the last departures or going to Dunsfold and watching the last landing.

Scrap that - didn't realise that Dunsfold is TOMORROW

Dunsfold on Tuesday and Brize on Wednesday it is then

[Brooklands62]

Excellent new regarding access to Dunsfold tomorrow.That saves me from parking my car in a narrow country lane and rambling across fences and fields! Its also interesting to note that ZA150 will be a 'Permanent' resident at the airfield.It will be interesting to see how Dunsfold and the Brooklands museum sort out visiting and maintaining the aircraft.

[Anglojet]

Routing Biggin-Ockham-Farnborough-Dunsfold

[Jelle Hieminga]

The departure from Brize will be around 9.30 local, it's got an appointment with another a/c over the North Sea first before heading for Dunsfold. Don't count on any flypasts enroute, Brooklands have asked for one (it will get within less than 10 miles I think) but have received a 'No'.

[Magnum]

Looking very foggy in Oxfordshire today. Let's hope it doesn't change todays flight times.

[Jelle Hieminga]

All the forecasts predict an improvement around noon, let's hope that this will work out!

[Magnum]

Aiming to be at Brize just after 0900 but can't hang around too long as I have to be in London today.

[Gsxr600]

Excellent new regarding access to Dunsfold tomorrow.That saves me from parking my car in a narrow country lane and rambling across fences and fields! Its also interesting to note that ZA150 will be a 'Permanent' resident at the airfield.It will be interesting to see how Dunsfold and the Brooklands museum sort out visiting and maintaining the aircraft.

Wishful thinking, but maybe possible to keep it in group running condition, Dunsfold could be another Bruntingthope!!!

[Anglojet]

Any updates?

[Thumper]

I doubt the weather is clearing any quicker up there but there is still very heavy fog down here in Dorset, very poor visibility indeed.