2015 was a busy year for the Trackway Solutions team, and one of the highlights of the year for us was being involved in the relocation of the VC10, serial number XR808. We were honoured to be asked to provide our trackway to assist transporting this fantastic aircraft to her final resting place at the RAF Museum in Cosford.
The aircraft underwent an eight month dismantling process which began back in 2014; this was then followed by a 70 mile journey along the M6 and M54 motorways. Weighing in at 60T plus ballast, relocating the VC10 was no mean feat.
Upon arrival at the RAF Museum site in Cosford, the VC10 then underwent a four month rebuild process before it was ready to be displayed to the public in November 2015. The dismantling, transporting and rebuild process was carried out by GJD Services, a specialist aircraft salvage and maintenance company, based at Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire.
On our part it required 165 trackway panels and a full team on site, but ultimately the move, which took place in June 2015, went smoothly. Our trackway has proved invaluable throughout the process in ensuring that the aircraft could be manoeuvred as easily as possible on different terrains, and the whole team at Trackway Solutions are incredibly proud to have been involved in such a monumental aircraft move.
“Trackway Solutions gave outstanding service from the first email right through to the end of the task. When we went to tender, they were the only company to offer a site survey prior to placing a quote and once we gave the team a brief of our requirements, they just got on with the task.”
Gary Spoors, Accountable/Engineering Manager at GJD Services said:
“Taking an idea that something can be done and turning that theory into a reality is always driven more by the belief that it can be achieved than all the drawing, planning, and measuring involved. The challenge of dissembling, moving, and reassembling a Vickers VC10 has certainly been a team achievement and without the dedication and goodwill of all involved this would not have been as successful as it was. From the GJD guys who gave 110% to the task, the teams from the haulage, transport, and crane companies, to the RAFM staff; I take my hat off to all involved and wish to thank everyone who supported us along the way.”
If you’d like to see the VC10 in all its rebuilt glory, you can visit it at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, Shifnal, Shropshire, TF11 8UP; the museum is open daily from 10am and admission is free of charge, making it an ideal family day out.
VC10 @XR808 rebuild now complete at @RAFMUSEUM Cosford https://t.co/RewMTxhLZ5 pic.twitter.com/K4YeovNFh8
— RAF Charitable Trust (@rafcharitable) November 4, 2015
