First flight took place in June 1962, and the type entered service with BOAC in April 1964. Production of the aircraft was terminated in 1974 after 54 units were manufactured. The VC-10 is shown in figure 13.18, and some of the characteristics of the aircraft are given in table VII . The four aft-mounted engines are, of course, the most distinctive feature of the configuration. Three leading-edge fences are employed on each wing, as can be seen in figure 13.18.
Lateral control is provided by a combination of ailerons and spoilers.
All control surfaces are hydraulically actuated. Many of the airports served by British Airways are located in tropical or subtropical areas characterized by high temperatures. Such temperatures increase the ground speed required for takeoff and reduce the maximum thrust produced by the engines. The VC-10 was accordingly designed to cope with these difficult takeoff conditions that, in some cases, were aggravated by airport elevations considerably above sea level. The VC-10 is no longer in airline service, but a few are in the Royal Air Force inventory.