Image courtesy of Niall Paterson.
The original VC10 concept was to provide a jet powered airliner which could make use of shorter runways, commonly in use at the time. The performance of the VC10 was such that it achieved the fastest crossing of the Atlantic - London to New York, by a jet airliner, a record still held in 2009 for a subsonic airliner.
The prototype VC10 first flew on 29th June 1962 and was delivered to Wisley for further testing. The VC10 was primarily operated by BOAC, East African Airways, Ghana Airways and The Royal Air Force. The aircraft was produced from 1962-1970 with 54 airframes built.
In the early 1960s the RAF acquired several VC10s, with deliveries starting starting in December 1966 to No. 10 Squadron. The VC10s were named after Victoria Cross (VC) medal holders, with the VC holders name above the forward passenger door. In fact some of these original airframes are still in service in April 2010.
As time has gone on, redundant VC10 aircraft formerly used as airliners have been purchased by the RAF and have been converted to in-flight refueling tankers.