HEAVIESHOSPICE
By Ray Ball
VC10 XR808/R known as ‘Bob’
adorned with commemorative tail art, flew into Bruntingthorpe in July 2013
F
ollowing the retirement of the Vickers VC10 and Lockheed Tristar from RAF service some
of these aircraft were destined for Museums, with VC10 ZA150 going to Dunsfold Park as part of the Brooklands Collection and ZA148 joining the Classic Aircraft Trust Collection at Newquay. It is good that that some will remain in tribute to their long and sterling service. However, most are going for disposal and eventual scrapping and that is a speciality of Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome in Leicestershire.
The ‘Heavies Hospice’ at
Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome currently houses three VC-10s and six Tristars, acquired by GJD Services Ltd, who operate Global Aircraft Salvage, Maintenance, Storage and Decommissioning Services. Scrapping the VC-10s there first started in 2010 when XR807/Q and XV109/Z arrived for disposal. Since then a further eight had been scrapped by the time of my visit, leaving just three of the 2013 arrivals remaining. The front fuselage section of XV108/Y was spared and this is now located at the East Midlands Airport Aeropark. The three remaining VC-10s are:
XR808 (R for Robert), but more
affectionately known as ‘Bob’, is probably the most recognised VC10, because of the 101 Squadron and commemorative markings that adorn its tail. This aircraft was awarded the Blue Riband Prize for the fastest (sub-sonic) flight across the Atlantic Ocean.
ZA147/F, which was formerly
operated by East African Airways, is also a record holder for the fastest flight from London to Perth, Australia.
ZD241/N, which is still complete
and looks in good condition. Gary Spoors of GJD Services along with Dave Walton of the Aerodrome’s
owners, have a history of aircraft preservation at Bruntingthorpe and it is hoped that a VC10 can be retained for public display and even for ground runs at the Aerodrome’s legendary ‘Cold War Jets’ open days.
The Royal Air Force has only
recently retired its Lockheed Tristars, although two, ZD949 and ZE706, have been at Marshalls of Cambridge Airport for a while and used as a source of spares. The first Tristar to go was ZD952, which was delivered to Air Salvage International (ASI) at Kemble. All the other Tristars have gone to GJD Services Ltd at Bruntingthorpe.
On Wednesday 12 March 2014,
three Tristars were scheduled for delivery into Bruntingthorpe with estimated arrival times of 11.00am, 1.00pm and 4.00pm. Only one delivery crew were available and the plan was for a DH125 to fly with the Tristar and return the crew to Brize Norton for the next delivery flights. However, as I drove to Bruntingthorpe in thick fog, I guessed that things would not be going as expected. Bruntingthorpe has no navigation aids so clear weather is essential. It was well into the afternoon when the visibility was deemed by the RAF to be fit for a landing and the first Tristar, ZE704 left Brize Norton, touching down at Bruntingthorpe after 4.00pm. The DH125 soon followed, but the fading light and lateness of the hour meant that this would be the sole delivery flight of the day.
Another attempt to fly three
Tristars into Bruntingthorpe was scheduled for Wednesday 19 March 2014 and this time the weather was much better. Again though, things did not go to plan, as an
The first Tristar arriving at Bruntingthorpe in March 2014. ZE705 arrived late afternoon having been delayed by fog and poor visibility at Bruntingthorpe
XR808 marking time in the ‘Heavies Hospice’. Still complete and one of the last three survivors, being a special ‘Blue Riband’ winner for the fastest sub-sonic Atlantic crossing
VC10 ZD241/N flew into Bruntingthorpe early in 2013. There is hope that a VC10 will be preserved and take part in the ‘Cold War Jets’ Shows
ZE705 on the Bruntingthorpe Ramp waiting being joined by the remaining five Tristars at Brize Norton.
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