A Little VC10derness

Hi Everybody,
I am new to this site, found by chance. I am an ex-Iron Duck wrench bender and recognise a few names.

Murray, I remember you from BZN days, I see you have changed your location and it appears you have been on the ganga.
I read some of your stories - I was the Jim somethingyou refer to, but you have a few facts wrong. We never jacked a 200ton VC-10 (pls refer to Jelle's specs page for QR). And the incident you tell about me - liked the observation that I bled claret (one can always see class), the aircraft was going up not down. For various reasons there was a shortage of m/pwr and I imagine youwere in the hidey hole watching the plumb bob and I had to come forward to chk the pogress. As you correctly say the nose waves around a bit and I misjudged the bounce and went down, purely precautionary - didn't want to get whacked a second time.
Anyway, 14 stitches and many other injuries later, it is good to hear you are alive and kicking. I just wonder if MoD will pay for the plastic surgery when I go bald, perhaps they can put some little grey cells in at the same time.
I have a picture of the prep gang from Queen's trip to U.S in 76, will try and get it on to here later.

Tonkenna, I don't know you, but from the prices you quote I am notsurprised your Uncle Gordon is always looking for a whip round to balance the books. I have been running B747 'D' checks (Major overhaul in your mil terms) and they are a lot less than your price for the old Ten, I am talking single figures and that is in greens not portraits of Her Majesty. It is also using a reputable European company none of your cheap Asian startups, so I would like to know how and where you are basing your costs. I know U.K is expensive, but 20M ????????????? Maybe, I am doing it al wrong and should be looking for a few kickbacks - could use a new car, etc.

Jelle, Good site, only sorry I didn't stumble/was directed earlier.

Hi James,

I can't remember what the cost you quote relates to... some post here I have no doubt, but I am on the way to work and can't find it, however, the main problem with servicing something like the 10 is he uniqueness of the work. Getting spare parts for a 747 is much easier than getting parts for the 10 as there is so much more demand for the 747 bits, a great deal of the styff used on the 10 is now hand-made, bespoke parts... not a cheap way of doing things, especially through military precurrement. The cost I mentioned where those quoted to me... perhaps a bit high, but it is a very very expensive way to fly...

Anyway, off to go fly one now...

ATB

Tonks

Hi Tonks,
You make me envious - just be careful with the old Lady, no loops or double rolls - well maybe just one.

I picked up on on of your replies to that young whippersnapper Murray Keene, where you quoted lots of cash and frightened me. Even in my 10 days - only white tops, and at the end all that Birdseed surplus - a lot of the parts were handmade and I mean handmade, not trimmed to fit a la our Yankee cousins. I must admit I overlooked the 'military' cut, which doubles (?) all costs. Even further back in time, I thought Transport Command should have been run as a commercial enterprise, BOAC permitting (I think not). But they did give good training.

Drive safely - not all clouds are friendly.