The Vickers VC10 Airliner was designed in the late 1950's and its first flight was on the 29th June 1962.The aircraft was designed for long haul and transatlantic flights and was capable of Hot & High operations on the African routes It held several sub-sonic speed records on the Transatlantic routes only beaten by Concord. The VC10 was held in very high regard by both Crew and the passengers who flew on it. The rear engined layout of the VC10 made for a quiet cabin and its efficient wings gave it a very smooth ride in turbulence. These qualities actually caused passengers to request the VC10 when given the choice, and BOAC used this to its advantage when advertising with the phrases 'Swift and silent' and 'A little VC10derness' the main operators were BOAC & East African Airways.