A rare 1960's scale model of a Vickers VC10 in British United Airways livery mounted on original stand and with original wooden case.
The Vickers VC10 was a long-range British airliner designed and built by Vickers-Armstrongs, and first flown in 1962. Part of the design specification was for the airliner to operate on long-distance routes that were not suited to the Boeing 707. Characteristically, these would be runways that were 'hot and high', typical of those in African and South American countries in the early 60's.
Additionally, the performance of the VC10 was such that it achieved an unofficial record (5 hours and 1 minute) for the fastest London to New York crossing of the Atlantic for a sub-sonic airliner. A record it held from the 1960s until February 2020!
When British United Airways formed in 1960, under managing director Freddy Laker, it was the largest wholly private airline in the United Kingdom. BUA commenced commercial operations of the VC10 on 1 October 1964, having placed an order for four of the aircraft in 1961.
Dimensions: 68 cm/26¾ inches (length) x 62.5 cm/24⅝ inches (wing span) x 32.75 cm/12⅞ inches (maximum height on stand).
