At 2:45 of this video is none other Capt Tom Stoney OBE DFC, ex-58 Squadron RAF Bomber Command (Halifaxes and Whitleys), who flew Her late Majesty Queen (formerly: Princess) Elizabeth back to Blighty from Kenya in 1952 in a Canadair DC-4M-4 Argonaut, in the aftermath of the death of when HM King George VI. Fleet Manager - Comet for BOAC, Capt Stoney also flew the De Havilland Comet 4 and commanded the first west-to-east trans-Atlantic flight via jet airliner on 4 October 1958, when he operated New York / JFK to London / LHR in G-APDB, a De Havilland Comet 4. They flight took just 6 hours 12 minutes. Ironically, Capt Stoney was also part of the BOAC team that evaluated the Boeing 707 for BOAC and went on to become Fleet Manager - Boeing 707 for the airline. Stoney also commanded the delivery flight of the very first BOAC 707 (G-APFD) to land at London / LHR on 29 April 1960. Capt Stoney commanded the first flight in scheduled commercial air service by BOAC 707-436 (G-APFD, again), which operated from London / LHR to New York / JFK, on 27 May 1960. Capt Stoney went on to become a Senior Training Captain for BOAC on the Vickers (later: BAC) VC10. An Irishman born in County Donegal, Capt Stoney won the DFC for his distinguished service with the RAF during World War 2 and was ultimately awarded the OBE - "Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire" for those who do not know - by HM Queen Elizabeth II. Needless to say, Capt Tom Stoney was a legendary figure at BOAC.
It’s amazing that you have so much information on a member of the cockpit crew / He must have been legendary - presumably he retired to Donegal. Never been there but believe it is a beautiful place.
What good fortune. BOAC was before I was even born,all I remember is BA. I at least saw VC-10s a few times,at least. They seemed like they had a steep,athletic takeoff.W e Yanks may have sold more jets-at least until Airbus. The UK built the most beautiful,though.The Comet(subsequent jetliner builders owe De Havilland a huge debt),the VC-10 being so uniquely gorgeous,and of course Concorde.
@@kevincarlson668 I was told by an aircraft ex-USA Airforce orthopedic surgeon that perhaps my knee issues could be blamed for the angle the VC 10 flew...so you are very obervvant. I was privileged to fly deadheading/passenger twice on Concord and yes it was amazing. Many Concord pilots were convinced if BA had worked with the USA the Concord would have had a much greater success...as the French are not exactly gifted with business acumen. I am now 76 and would not give anything for the life I have led and the places I have seen. Take care and never stop to make memories.
I flew in both VC 10 and Super VC 10, from Brize Norton to RAF Akrotiri, back in 1966 to 1969, as a young child, always allowed up to the cockpit…..ultra smart crew, brilliant food…so exciting….so different from now….great times..
Utter shame that there is not a 'Jet Age Historical Flight' for keeping some of the British jets (VC10, Buccaneer, Lightning, TSR2 and even a Concorde) for airshows. Enough money wasted by the present government over the last few years would have been better used for a project like this.
I flew my first flight as a young BOAC steward on board a VC10 to JFK in August 1967. The steward at 0:50 was Len Smee, who became head of cabin crew training at Comet House and later at Cranebank.
Flew on both the VC-10 and Super VC-10 on the Bombay-Colombo route: probably the most memorable of flying experiences. Shame indeed about this wonderful plane's demise.
In the 70s I flew many times on RAF VC10s & enjoyed it, tho our food was a bit more mundane. There's nothing better than walking to & up the steps & seeing it in the raw. A great aircraft & holds the fastest non sonic speed record.
Ends saying "Good luck to her. She's quite an achievement". Such a pity her luck ran out when she was damaged beyond repair by fire on 3 Mar 1974 at Amsterdam after being hijacked whilst flying from Beirut to London.
Sad end indeed. I flew on G-ASGO from London to Sydney in February 1970. It took 28hrs30 minutes. I was 7 years old and still remember the trip like it was yesterday. It was the beginning of my life as a traveller and I’ll always remember it was G-ASGO who gave me my wings.
If you read the real history of this wonderful plane you’ll find that the directors of BOAC at the time she was being developed, kept forcing more and more requirements onto Vickers to handle all manner of operations in odd environments. Vickers complied but this resulted in compromises in other areas which made her less attractive to other operators. The general consensus of opinion was that these directors were in the pocket of Boeing. Yet another reason to be overjoyed at the kudos being metered out on Boeing now (2024) 😎
Only 54 airframes built, most went to the RAF, only government subsidized BOAC used it. Yeah, remember that DeHavilland Comet? came apart in midair because of "Metal Fatigue" Oh, dear.
@@itjustlookslikethis Yes I know the early Comets had real problems but it came good as the Comet 4s . Unfortunately the Americans built the Boeing 707 a better aircraft . But give Britain credit it was the first trans Atlantic jet operation ! Comet 4s were flown by BEA ,BOAC, Mexicana , Olympic Airways oh and yes the RAF . I flew on BEA's Comets and loved it they were really comfortable . The biggest problem was the Boeing was a better aircraft with a better passenger Capacity and I think range .
It takes four pilots to fly the airplane: The Pilot (Captain), Co-Pilot (Senior First Officer), Flight Engineer (First Officer), and Navigator (Second Officer).
At 2:45 of this video is none other Capt Tom Stoney OBE DFC, ex-58 Squadron RAF Bomber Command (Halifaxes and Whitleys), who flew Her late Majesty Queen (formerly: Princess) Elizabeth back to Blighty from Kenya in 1952 in a Canadair DC-4M-4 Argonaut, in the aftermath of the death of when HM King George VI.
Fleet Manager - Comet for BOAC, Capt Stoney also flew the De Havilland Comet 4 and commanded the first west-to-east trans-Atlantic flight via jet airliner on 4 October 1958, when he operated New York / JFK to London / LHR in G-APDB, a De Havilland Comet 4. They flight took just 6 hours 12 minutes.
Ironically, Capt Stoney was also part of the BOAC team that evaluated the Boeing 707 for BOAC and went on to become Fleet Manager - Boeing 707 for the airline. Stoney also commanded the delivery flight of the very first BOAC 707 (G-APFD) to land at London / LHR on 29 April 1960. Capt Stoney commanded the first flight in scheduled commercial air service by BOAC 707-436 (G-APFD, again), which operated from London / LHR to New York / JFK, on 27 May 1960.
Capt Stoney went on to become a Senior Training Captain for BOAC on the Vickers (later: BAC) VC10.
An Irishman born in County Donegal, Capt Stoney won the DFC for his distinguished service with the RAF during World War 2 and was ultimately awarded the OBE - "Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire" for those who do not know - by HM Queen Elizabeth II.
Needless to say, Capt Tom Stoney was a legendary figure at BOAC.
Capt. Stoney features in another BOAC promotional film” Airline Pilot”.41:50 minutes of enjoyable viewing.
It’s amazing that you have so much information on a member of the cockpit crew / He must have been legendary - presumably he retired to Donegal. Never been there but believe it is a beautiful place.
I was a stewardess on BOAC VC 10s The passengers love it as much as we did.
What good fortune. BOAC was before I was even born,all I remember is BA. I at least saw VC-10s a few times,at least. They seemed like they had a steep,athletic takeoff.W e Yanks may have sold more jets-at least until Airbus. The UK built the most beautiful,though.The Comet(subsequent jetliner builders owe De Havilland a huge debt),the VC-10 being so uniquely gorgeous,and of course Concorde.
@@kevincarlson668 I was told by an aircraft ex-USA Airforce orthopedic surgeon that perhaps my knee issues could be blamed for the angle the VC 10 flew...so you are very obervvant. I was privileged to fly deadheading/passenger twice on Concord and yes it was amazing. Many Concord pilots were convinced if BA had worked with the USA the Concord would have had a much greater success...as the French are not exactly gifted with business acumen. I am now 76 and would not give anything for the life I have led and the places I have seen. Take care and never stop to make memories.
A brilliant aircraft 😊
Lucky you! You may have taken me on my school holidays to Lusaka in the 70s!
I've always wondered - was it noisier in the back, because of the engines, or was there basically no difference?
These beauties took me to Africa for my school holidays from 1967 to 1977 and more. Love them!
You were very lucky to fly on one. I never did.
I do have an 86 Inches long model of BOAC SUPER VC 1O on TH-cam
Likewise for me, between 1972 and 1976: first to Zambia and then to Bangladesh, in my case.
Where in Africa was your holiday destination?
We must have been on the same flights! It was Freetown, Khartoum then Lusaka from 1970 to 1976!
Probably the most beautiful airliner ever built
I flew in both VC 10 and Super VC 10, from Brize Norton to RAF Akrotiri, back in 1966 to 1969, as a young child, always allowed up to the cockpit…..ultra smart crew, brilliant food…so exciting….so different from now….great times..
Was fortunate to fly on in the mid-sixties from JFK to LHR and back,. My favorite aircraft of all time.
Utter shame that there is not a 'Jet Age Historical Flight' for keeping some of the British jets (VC10, Buccaneer, Lightning, TSR2 and even a Concorde) for airshows. Enough money wasted by the present government over the last few years would have been better used for a project like this.
Flew twice on a super VC10 to Iran in 1975. A great looking plane to this day.😊
I flew my first flight as a young BOAC steward on board a VC10 to JFK in August 1967. The steward at 0:50 was Len Smee, who became head of cabin crew training at Comet House and later at Cranebank.
Flew on both the VC-10 and Super VC-10 on the Bombay-Colombo route: probably the most memorable of flying experiences. Shame indeed
about this wonderful plane's demise.
When BOAC was owned by the UK and represented us around the world.
I have a model of Boac Super vc10 up on TH-cam.
1960s circa.
Made in England of course
Sure wish there was an airworthy VC10 still flying, i'd love to fly in one.
I would love to fly as a passenger on one today.
1) I love those old school new york and boston cop uniforms. 2) we need to find those seat designers and bring them back...
Flying was fun in those days...
Suit and Tie era,great aircraft.
In the 70s I flew many times on RAF VC10s & enjoyed it, tho our food was a bit more mundane. There's nothing better than walking to & up the steps & seeing it in the raw. A great aircraft & holds the fastest non sonic speed record.
In the late 60s&70s people would pass up a journey on alternatives and wait for a VC10
Bloody hell the yanks had the walkway in 1965 we never had that this side of the pond to much later am I correct greetings from Scotland 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Ends saying "Good luck to her. She's quite an achievement". Such a pity her luck ran out when she was damaged beyond repair by fire on 3 Mar 1974 at Amsterdam after being hijacked whilst flying from Beirut to London.
Sad end indeed. I flew on G-ASGO from London to Sydney in February 1970. It took 28hrs30 minutes. I was 7 years old and still remember the trip like it was yesterday. It was the beginning of my life as a traveller and I’ll always remember it was G-ASGO who gave me my wings.
Thought I recognised the registration.
A beauty
Such... what.. .. a wonder !!!
flying as a passenger back then was the highlight of the industry..class..room..great food..and service with a smile..say that today?..no..
The passengers were ladies and gentlemen and a delight to serve.
flying back then was largely unaffordable to most people.
If you read the real history of this wonderful plane you’ll find that the directors of BOAC at the time she was being developed, kept forcing more and more requirements onto Vickers to handle all manner of operations in odd environments. Vickers complied but this resulted in compromises in other areas which made her less attractive to other operators. The general consensus of opinion was that these directors were in the pocket of Boeing. Yet another reason to be overjoyed at the kudos being metered out on Boeing now (2024) 😎
Flew on many a flight on the VC10 when they went to the RAF.
British made !! the Amazing history of British aviation !! A shame Britain really does not make amazing airliners anymore .
Only 54 airframes built, most went to the RAF, only government subsidized BOAC used it. Yeah, remember that DeHavilland Comet? came apart in midair because of "Metal Fatigue" Oh, dear.
@@itjustlookslikethis Yes I know the early Comets had real problems but it came good as the Comet 4s . Unfortunately the Americans built the Boeing 707 a better aircraft . But give Britain credit it was the first trans Atlantic jet operation ! Comet 4s were flown by BEA ,BOAC, Mexicana , Olympic Airways oh and yes the RAF . I flew on BEA's Comets and loved it they were really comfortable . The biggest problem was the Boeing was a better aircraft with a better passenger Capacity and I think range .
It takes four pilots to fly the airplane: The Pilot (Captain), Co-Pilot (Senior First Officer), Flight Engineer (First Officer), and Navigator (Second Officer).
It doesn’t
a perfect airplane...
Smirnoff vodka how classy 😂
Did you have your BOAC frequent flyer book signed by the flight Crew? We tried to make unaccompanied minors feel special.
2:45 Is that Captain Thomas Butler (Tom) Stoney, D.F.C.?
Looks like it.
👏🏻
BOAC hated the VC 10. The UK government forced them into buying it. BOAC said to be Boeing only aircraft corporation.
👍