Photo by my father, Brian Gibbons

Scanned from a 50+ year old slide.

The first VC10 ever built and first flew 29 June 1962 from Weybridge. Used for development for the first six years then converted from Series 1100 to 1109 and operated by Middle East Airlines and British United, Caledonian/BUA, and British Caledonian. She was damaged beyond repair in a hard landing at London Gatwick 28 January 1972 and broken up after a period of storage. Photographer unknown

slide scan from the NK collection. - Caledonian acquired British United Airways in November 1970, and for one year their aircraft operated with Caledonian/BUA titles, until the new name British Caledonian was adopted. G-AWYS kept its reg with various British operators until 1998, when it was sold to EAS Airlines of Nigeria as 5N-ESB. Wfu at Lagos in 2002 and probably b/u on site.

This VC-10 had to be rebuilt in 1971 after structural damage in severe turbulence over the Andes

In the transitional Caledonian/BUA markings....photo from the BUA hangar earth mound

The extremely experienced Captain David Phillips managed to keep G-ASIX flying in extreme turbulence over the Andes in 1971. Structural repairs were necessary afterwards. Photo from the earth mound by the BUA hangars.This is probably post-rebuild

Taken soon after the merger of Caledonian and BUA during the short period when joint titles were worn. 707 G-AVTW in the background.