Vickers Super VC10
Perhaps the most charismatic aircraft operated by East African. In 1965 EAA were looking for new aircraft to replace the Comets on the international routes. The choice was between the Boeing 707, DC8 and VC-10. With British government funding assistance the choice fell to the Super VC-10.
Three aircraft were ordered in 1965 and powered by RR Conway 42-550B engines and differed from the similar BOAC aircraft by having a cargo door on the font left hand side. The new aircraft, when delivered were painted in the bright new colours of green, yellow, red and black. The first aircraft (5X-UVA) was handed over to EAA on 30th September 1966, with the second (5H-MMT) in December and the third (5Y-ADA) in May 1967. They initially operated to Europe and to Bombay via Aden and Karachi.A fourth was delivered in 1969 and finally a fifth in February 1970 (which was the last VC-10 ever built). Tragically 5X-UVA was lost on 18th April 1972 at Addis Ababa.
The remaining 4 VC-10s continued to operate right up to the airline closing in 1977. After 4 months, they were re-possessed by BAC and flew back to Filton in the UK. This was not the end however. In 1978 the RAF required updated refuelling aircraft and these were among several converted to aerial tankers, becoming the VC-10 K3. They continued in that role to the end. The remaining 4 ex-EAA Super VC10s were the last to fly of the type in the world. Fittingly the oldest (5H-MMT) completed the last flight on 25th September 2013.
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Aircraft registered in Tanzania
| Registration | Aircraft | c/n | Previous | Acquired | Disposal | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5H-MMT | Vickers Super VC10 1154 | 882 | – | 1966 | 1977 | d/d 31/10/66. To RAF 30/9/78 Converted to VC10 K3 tanker. Registered ZA147. Final flight of a VC10 to Bruntingthorpe 25/9/13. |
| 5H-MOG | Vickers Super VC10 1154 | 885 | – | 1970 | 1977 | d/d 28/2/70. To RAF 30/9/78 Converted to VC10 K3 tanker. Registered ZA150. Final flight 24/9/13 to Dunsfold (UK). To be preserved by Brooklands Museum. |
Aircraft registered in Uganda
| Registration | Aircraft | c/n | Previous | Acquired | Disposal | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5X-UVA | Vickers Super VC10 1154 | 881 | – | 1966 | 1972 | d/d 30/9/66. Written off Addis Ababa 18/4/1972 |
| 5X-UVJ | Vickers Super VC10 1154 | 884 | – | 1969 | 1977 | d/d 30/4/69. To RAF 30/9/78 Converted to VC10 K3 tanker. Registered ZA149. Last flight to Bruntingthorpe (UK) 18/3/13 |
Aircraft registered in Kenya
| Registration | Aircraft | c/n | Previous | Acquired | Disposal | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5Y-ADA | Vickers Super VC10 1154 | 883 | – | 1967 | 1977 | d/d 31/3/67. To RAF 30/9/78 Converted to VC10 K3 tanker. Registered ZA148. Last flight on 28/8/13. Preserved by CAF at Newquay, UK |