The prototype VC-10 emerged in 1962, from the famous Brooklands factory near Weybridge, south of London. The first deliveries to BOAC were not until 1964 – the first flight was from London to Lagos, Nigeria. Initially, BOAC were a problem customer; the airline publicly complained about the high operating costs of their new jet – which were, of course, the consequence of their own demand for the plane’s capability. They changed their tune once they realised how much their customers liked it, for the smoothness (those large wings) and quietness (rear mounted engines) compared to other planes – hence the advertising slogan ‘A Great Step Backwards in Aviation’.