Kenya Minister for Finance Mr James Gichuru sits at the controls of the new £2,500,000 super VC-10 jet
Kenya Minister for Finance Mr James Gichuru sits at the controls of the new £2,500,000 super VC-10 jet at Nairobi Airport on February 5, 1962. The aircraft had just completed extensive tropical trials across Africa. Pilot Capt Bill Cairns said the aircraft “flies like a dream.” Among the 45-member crew and technical team was Mr Pat Burgess, deputy technical sales manager of the British Aircraft Corporation, who described the VC-10 as “a world beater” and expressed hope that East African Airways would become one of its first overseas customers. Mr Bill Field of Mitchell Cotts & Co. (EA) Ltd, agents for BAC, said larger and improved engines would allow the aircraft to carry up to 177 passengers and more freight at lower operating costs.