Last VC10 into Kai Tak

[AJW]

I found my print of the last VC10 to land at Kai Tak earlier today. The words accompanying the print state Mr Blair was in board, but it fails to mention which aircraft it was. Can anyone enlighten me?

[Chris K]

If memory serves me right, it was XV108 with the British delegation for the handover ceremony on board.

[Jelle Hieminga]

This link suggests that you're right....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/darylchapman/4510094519/

[AJW]

Thank-you! I had a sneaking suspicion it might have been. Thanks for the confirmation

[Gsxr600]

Slightly off topic, but just interested: when the VC10s were used as VIP transports did they have a special luxury interior fitted or was it just the same as for example how BOB is inside to this day?

[Tonkenna]

There was indeed a VIP fit... give me a few mins and I will sort out a pic...

Not very luxury by todays standards though!

Tonks

[Tonkenna]

Here you go:





As I said, not quite up to todays standard, but in the VIP fit the aircraft were spotless!

Tonks

[petet16]

Ah, those pictures bring back some memories.

I remember swapping sidewall trim panels to achieve a uniform look, as some were old and yellowed from nicotine staining, and others were new and had a much paler background colour.

[Jelle Hieminga]

There are also some photos of the VIP fit on this page: http://www.vc10.net/Memories/KenWhitePhotos.html

On a related note, BOAC also had a VIP fit that was used when the royal family traveled on one of their aircraft. This included a settee that could be converted into a bed. This VIP fit was borrowed by EAA in 1969 when they carried Pope Paul VI to Africa. Because of this you could claim that the Queen and the Pope have slept in the same bed....

[Gsxr600]

Thanks for then info, fasinating. Reminds me of the interior of the Brooklands VC10 but that's much more over the top middle east bling! I wonder if these interiors were thrown away or someone managed to keep any bits, they would great for a musuem presentation of the VC10, as its VIP transport role is something well remembered.

[vc10boy]

An RAF VC10 V.I.P seat came up on ebay for not alot of money a year or two ago..i dont think anyone put a bid in? ,i did mention it on the forum at the time.,I noticed an EAA pack from the 1969 Pope visit came up on ebay last week ..IT WENT FOR OVER £100.., a great black and white pic of the Pope was with the pack with the vc10 in the background..

[Laurieg]

Vip fit on our kites! Hmmmm we were not allowed to walk through the kite when fitted so if you were the dirty GE then you wre stuck at the back, with the girls getting changed!!!!!!! Damn!

[vc10boy]

what girls?...sounds good tho..the fun bus they called her...i often wondered why