G-OPLC - 1948 DEHAVILLAND DH 104

1948

DEHAVILLAND

DH-104

VP962

G-OPLC

Used

G-OPLC / VP962 rolled off De Havilland's Hatfield Production line in the late summer of 1948 and was delivered to the Royal Air Force on the 15 of November of that year. She was initially delivered to 2nd Tactical Air Force Communications Squadron and from there on to Head Quarters, Allied Forces, Central Europe to operate as personal transport for Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery and later for his successor General Sir Richard Nelson "Windy" Gale from there she was moved to RAF Northolt as a VIP & Royal Flight aircraft where she flew many members of the Royal Family, during this time she was regularly flown by HRH the Prince of Wales. In 1964 VP 962 was flown to Pakistan to begin her duties as the personal transport to the RAF Pakistan Air Attaché, she remained in that for the next five years, flying on many diplomatic missions during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war. On the 21st of October 1969 VP 962 began its journey to RAF Changi in Singapore where she landed on the Morning of 22nd October. The aircraft was serviced and departed later that day for the USAF Base at Tan Son Nhut, Saigon, this flight required a refueling stop at Kuantan (Malaysia). The Aircraft was then assigned to Group Captain M J E Swiney (Saigon Air Attache), he takes up the story from there. VP962 with Group Captain Swiney UK Air Attaché, South Vietnam: During 1969-71 Air Commodore M J E Swiney OBE RAF(Retd) was serving as UK Air Attaché, South Vietnam . He describes his use of VP962 this period. I flew VP962 I took it to Hong Kong from Saigon, refueling at Da Nang VP962 was a great improvement with its uprated engines and nav fit. The highest airfield I flew into was Dalet in the Central Highlands at 4931 ft AMSL, added to which there was the knowledge that the Vietcong occupied the surrounding jungle. I would not have liked to have lost an engine on takeoff back then. After her time in Vietnam the Aircraft was sent back to Northolt to join No. 207 Bomb Squadron, she was operated as a crew and VIP transport for a time before being converted to a Communications Platform in support of Vulcan Nuclear Bombers as part of the famous "V" Force where she was to finish her military service. VP 962 was retired from RAF in 1984 when she was sold off to begin the next chapter of her life. VP 962 received the Civil Registration G-BLRB and commenced operations with RSJ Aviation as a Charter Airliner 22 October 1984, she was re-registered as G-OPLC on the 10 Jan 1991 and commenced operation with Mayfair Dove Aviation, The aircraft operated with Mayfair Dove until 2010 when it was part leased by Conciliar Aviation where she was operated as a charter aircraft for D-Day Battlefield tours. This marked the end of her career as a commercial airliner (for now). In late 2011 G-OPLC was acquired by Columba Aviation and spend her time flying executives and their families all over Europe for business and pleasure. The Aircraft went into private ownership in 2021 and continues to fly as a private transport. The Aircraft was designed to herald in a new age of aviation technology and safety; she is just as capable a lady now as when she was built 76 years ago.

8551

350

SMOH

1600

11

SMOH

1600

60

SOH

60

SOH

This aircraft has been maintained to a very high standard. Everything has been completed as required by our excellent maintenance provider Heritage Air Services at Coventry where the aircraft is now available for viewing only by appointment.