44 photos of Viscount c/n 4

1

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE
April 1952

Initially registered to Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd before being delivered to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount. Taken at Weybridge, Surrey, England 17 April 1952 on the production line in the Erecting Shop and shows the engine support structure before the fitment of the sheet metal panels.

Vickers Photo (no ref)

Photo source - Richard Stanton collection

2

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE
May 1952

Initially registered to Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd before being delivered to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount. Taken at Weybridge, Surrey, England 14 May 1952 on the production line in the Erecting Shop with G-ALWF (C/N 5) and G-AMNY (C/N 6) behind.

Note the style of the direct vision (DV) window which was changed to the 'slatted' version prior to delivery.

Vickers Photo (no ref)

Photo source - Brian R Burrage collection (gallery 1)

3

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE
May 1952

Initially registered to Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd before being delivered to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount. Taken at Weybridge, Surrey, England 14 May 1952 on the production line in the Erecting Shop with G-ALWF (C/N 5) and G-AMNY (C/N 6) behind.

Note the style of the direct vision (DV) window which was changed to the 'slatted version' prior to delivery.

Vickers Photo (no ref)

Photo source - Brian R Burrage collection (gallery 1)

4

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE
August 1952

Initially registered to Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd before being delivered to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount. Taken departing from Wisley Airfield, Surrey, England in August 1952 on a test flight.

At this stage the cabin seats have not yet been fitted. Note the non-standard cheatline and the style of direct vision (DV) window which were both changed prior to delivery.

Also note the Decca 'sharks fin' navigation aerial on the tail and the 'whip' aerial on the forward cheatline.

Photo source - Richard Stanton collection

5

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE
September 1952

Initially registered to Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd before being delivered to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount. Taken at an unknown location in September 1952 during the flight test phase.

Note the non-standard cheatline and the style of direct vision (DV) window which were both changed prior to delivery. Also note the early 'cutlass' style propeller blades.

Photo source - Wolfgang Muehlbauer collection

6

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE
October 1952

Initially registered to Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd. before being delivered to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount. Taken during a test flight in October 1952.

It now has the slatted direct vision (DV) window fitted and a straightened cheatline.

Note the high angle of attack in order to reduce its speed to match the photographers aircraft.

Vickers Photo Ref 6176J

Photo source - Brian R Burrage collection (gallery 1)

7

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE
August 1952

Initially registered to Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd before being delivered to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount. Taken during an early test flight in August 1952.

Note the non-standard cheatline and the style of direct vision (DV) window which were both changed prior to delivery.

Also note the Decca 'sharks fin' navigation aerial on the tail.

Temple Press Photo Ref 14819/211

Photo source - Richard Stanton collection

8

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE
August 1952

Initially registered to Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd before being delivered to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount. Taken during an early test flight in August 1952.

Note the non-standard cheatline and the style of direct vision (DV) window which were both changed prior to delivery.

Also note the Decca 'sharks fin' navigation aerial on the tail.

Photo source - Charles Edward Brown

9

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE
September 1952

Initially registered to Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd before being delivered to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount. Taken at Farnborough Airfield, Hampshire, England in the static display area in September 1952 during the Society of British Aircraft Constructors (SBAC) air show.

Note the early Decca 'sharks fin' navigation aerial on the tail.

Also note the non-standard cheatline and the style of direct vision (DV) window which were both changed prior to delivery.

Behind it is the prototype de Havilland DH106 Comet 1 in BOAC livery which was scrapped in July 1953.

Photo source - Richard Stanton collection

10

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE
September 1952

Initially registered to Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd before being delivered to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount. Taken at Farnborough Airfield, Hampshire, England in the air display holding area 5 September 1952 during the Society of British Aircraft Constructors (SBAC) air show.

The two aircraft in the foreground are Avro 707 which were development aircraft for the larger delta winged Avro Vulcan.

In the background there are four different types of English Electric Canberras.

Photo Ref EAW046638

Photo source - Britain From Above

11

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE
September 1952

Initially registered to Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd before being delivered to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount. Taken at Farnborough Airfield, Hampshire, England in the static display area in September 1952 during the Society of British Aircraft Constructors (SBAC) air show.

Note the early Decca 'sharks fin' navigation aerial on the tail.

Also note the non-standard cheatline and the style of direct vision (DV) window which were both changed prior to delivery.

Photo source - Brian R Burrage collection (gallery 1)

12

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE
September 1952

Initially registered to Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd before being delivered to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount. Taken at Farnborough Airfield, Hampshire, England in the static display area in September 1952 during the Society of British Aircraft Constructors (SBAC) air show.

Note the early Decca 'sharks fin' navigation aerial on the tail and the 'whip' aerial on the forward cheatline.

Also note the non-standard cheatline and the style of direct vision (DV) window which were both changed prior to delivery.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

13

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE
September 1952

Initially registered to Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd before being delivered to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount. Taken at Farnborough Airfield, Hampshire, England in September 1952 during the Society of British Aircraft Constructors (SBAC) air show.

It is taking off to participate in the flying display piloted by Vickers test pilot Brian Trubshaw.

Vickers Photo Ref 6169F

Photo source - Wolfgang Muehlbauer collection

14

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE
September 1952

Initially registered to Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd before being delivered to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount. Taken at Farnborough Airfield, Hampshire, England in September 1952 during at the Society of British Aircraft Constructors (SBAC) air show.

It is only flying on the No.4 (starboard outer) engine with the other three 'cutlass' style propellers temporarily feathered.

Vickers test pilot Brian Trubshaw was flying the aircraft.

Vickers Photo Ref 6176G

Photo source - Richard Stanton collection

15

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE
September 1952

Initially registered to Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd before being delivered to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount. Taken at Farnborough Airfield, Hampshire, England in September 1952 during at the Society of British Aircraft Constructors (SBAC) air show.

It is only flying on the No.4 (starboard outer) engine with the other three 'cutlass' style propellers temporarily feathered.

Vickers test pilot Brian Trubshaw was flying the aircraft.

Photo source - Wolfgang Muehlbauer collection

16

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE
September 1952

Initially registered to Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd before being delivered to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount. Taken at Farnborough Airfield, Hampshire, England in September 1952 during the Society of British Aircraft Constructors (SBAC) air show.

It is taxiing in after performing a flying display flown by Brian Trubshaw.

Note the Decca 'sharks fin' navigation aerial on the tail.

Also note the non-standard cheatline and the style of direct vision (DV) window which were both changed prior to delivery to BEA.

Photo source - Brian R Burrage collection (gallery 1)

17

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE
September 1952

Initially registered to Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd before being delivered to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount. Taken at Farnborough Airfield, Hampshire, England in September 1952 at the Society of British Aircraft Constructors (SBAC) air show.

It is taxiing in after performing a flying display flown by Brian Trubshaw.

Note the Decca 'sharks fin' navigation aerial on the tail and the non-standard cheatline and direct vision (DV) window which were changed prior to delivery to BEA.

Photo source - Des Pike collection

18

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE
September 1952

Initially registered to Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd before being delivered to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount. Taken during a test flight from Wisley Airfield, Surrey, England in September 1952.

The No.1 and No.2 'Cutlass' style propellers have now been 'feathered'. BEA Photo Ref N/K

Photo source - Richard Stanton collection

19

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE
October 1952

Initially registered to Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd. before being delivered to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount. Taken departing from Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England in October 1952 during the flight test phase.

It now has the slatted direct vision (DV) window fitted and a straightened cheatline.

Photo source - R A Woodcock via Steve Burland

20

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE
October 1952

Initially registered to Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd. before being delivered to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount. Taken during a test flight in October 1952.

It now has the slatted direct vision (DV) window fitted and a straightened cheatline.

Note the high angle of attack in order to reduce its speed to match the photographer's aircraft.

Vickers Photo Ref 6176F

Photo source - Richard Stanton collection

21

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE
October 1952

Initially registered to Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd. before being delivered to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount. Taken during a test flight in October 1952.

It now has the slatted direct vision (DV) window fitted and a straightened cheatline.

Vickers Photo Ref 6176G

Photo source - Richard Stanton collection

22

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)

G-ALWE
February 1953

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount named 'R M A Discovery'. Taken at Wisley Airfield, Surrey, England 11 February 1953 with Lady Douglas of Kirtleside carrying out the official naming ceremony watched over by George Edwards.

BEA Photo Ref 4046

Photo source - Brian R Burrage collection (gallery 1)

23

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)

G-ALWE
February 1953

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount named 'R M A Discovery'. Taken during a training flight circa February 1953.

The No.1 and No.2 'Cutlass' style propellers have now been 'feathered'.

BEA Photo Ref N/K

Photo source - Ed Jones collection

24

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)

G-ALWE
March 1953

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount named 'R M A Discovery'. Taken at Ringway Airport, Manchester, England 20 March 1953 while making the first visit to this airport by a turboprop powered aircraft.

It was shown to travel agents and other interested parties.

Note the Decca 'sharks fin' navigation aerial on the tail and the correct cheatline profile and direct vision (DV) window.

Photo source - R A Scholefield collection

25

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)

G-ALWE
March 1953

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount named 'R M A Discovery'. Taken at Ringway Airport, Manchester, England 20 March 1953 while making the first visit to this airport by a turboprop powered aircraft.

It was shown to travel agents and other interested parties.

Note the Decca 'sharks fin' navigation aerial on the tail and the correct cheatline profile and direct vision (DV) window.

Photo source - R A Scholefield collection

26

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)

G-ALWE
May 1953

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount named 'R M A Discovery'. Taken during a training flight circa May 1953.

BEA Photo Ref 3901

Photo source - Brian R Burrage collection (gallery 1)

27

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)

G-ALWE
May 1953

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount named 'R M A Discovery'. Taken during a training flight circa May 1953.

BEA Photo Ref 3902

Photo source - Brian R Burrage collection (gallery 1)

28

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)

G-ALWE
May 1953

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount named 'R M A Discovery'. Taken during a training flight circa May 1953.

The No.1 and No.2 'Cutlass' style propellers have now been 'feathered'.

BEA Photo Ref 3903

Photo source - Brian R Burrage collection (gallery 1)

29

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)

G-ALWE
May 1953

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount named 'R M A Discovery'. Taken at London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England circa May 1953 inside the BEA Engineering facility with two Airspeed AS.57 Ambassadors (Elizabethan Class) in the background.

Note the Decca 'sharks fin' navigation aerial on the tail.

BEA Photo Ref 4043

Photo source - Brian R Burrage collection (gallery 1)

30

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)

G-ALWE
May 1953

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount named 'R M A Discovery'. Taken at London Airport (Heathrow), Midlesex, England circa May 1953.

A nice view of the very smart cabin looking rearward.

BEA Photo Ref 4004

Photo source - Brian R Burrage collection (gallery 1)

31

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)

G-ALWE
May 1953

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount named 'R M A Discovery'.

A nice view of the cabin with a stewardess serving a meal.

The set of four seats facing each other created a very nice environment to travel and to eat as well.

Other seats behind were just in rows facing forward.

Photo source - Brian R Burrage collection (gallery 1)

32

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)

G-ALWE
August 1953

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount named 'R M A Discovery'. Taken at an unknown location in August 1953.

Note the Decca 'sharks fin' navigation aerial on the tail.

Photo Ref N/K

Photo source - Brian N Stainer (Aviation Photo News)

33

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)

G-ALWE
October 1953

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount named 'R M A Discovery'. Taken at London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England in October 1953.

Photo source - Brian R Burrage collection (gallery 1)

34

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)

G-ALWE
February 1954

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount named 'R M A Discovery'. Taken at London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England circa February 1954 inside the BEA Engineering facility.

Note the Decca 'sharks fin' navigation aerial on the tail.

BEA Photo Ref 4592

Photo source - Brian R Burrage collection (gallery 1)

35

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)

G-ALWE
February 1954

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount named 'R M A Discovery'. Taken at London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England circa February 1954 inside the BEA Engineering facility.

Note the Decca 'sharks fin' navigation aerial on the tail.

BEA Photo Ref 4592X1

Photo source - Brian R Burrage collection (gallery 1)

36

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)

G-ALWE
June 1956

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount named 'R M A Discovery'. Taken at London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England in June 1956 on a stand in front of the Europa Terminal and Queen's Building.

Note the Decca 'sharks fin' navigation aerial on the tail.

Photo source - Brian R Burrage collection (gallery 1)

37

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)

G-ALWE
August 1956

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount named 'R M A Discovery'. Taken at City of Birmingham Airport, Elmdon, West Midlands, England circa August 1956 in front of the impressive terminal building.

Note that the Decca 'sharks fin' navigation aerial on the tail has now been removed.

This is a period postcard by Dennis Ref B.1409

Photo source - Brian R Burrage collection (gallery 1)

38

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)

G-ALWE
March 1957

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount named 'R M A Discovery'. Taken at Wythenshawe, Manchester, England 14 March 1957 after crashing on approach to Ringway Airport, Manchester, England.

An aerial view showing the crash location within a relatively new housing estate.

House numbers 21, 23 and 25 were destroyed.

Photo source - Stephen Morrin collection

39

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)

G-ALWE
March 1957

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount named 'R M A Discovery'. Taken at Wythenshawe, Manchester, England 14 March 1957 after crashing on approach to Ringway Airport, Manchester, England.

Here the fire brigade are damping down the wreckage before the recovery of victims could commence.

Note the wrecked house and also the Rolls-Royce Dart engine on the left minus the propeller and the front section of the engine's reduction gearbox.

House numbers 21, 23 and 25 were destroyed.

Photo source - Brian R Burrage collection (gallery 1)

40

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)

G-ALWE
March 1957

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount named 'R M A Discovery'. Taken at Wythenshawe, Manchester, England 14 March 1957 after crashing on approach to Ringway Airport, Manchester, England.

Here the police, fire brigade and other services are surveying the terrible scene and smouldering remains.

House numbers 21, 23 and 25 were destroyed.

Photo source - Brian R Burrage collection (gallery 1)

41

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)

G-ALWE
March 1957

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount named 'R M A Discovery'. Taken at Wythenshawe, Manchester, England 14 March 1957 after crashing on approach to Ringway Airport, Manchester, England.

House numbers 21, 23 and 25 were destroyed.

Photo source - Ed Jones collection

42

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)

G-ALWE
March 1957

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount named 'R M A Discovery'. Taken at Wythenshawe, Manchester, England 14 March 1957 after crashing on approach to Ringway Airport, Manchester, England.

Here the fire brigade are damping down the wreckage before the recovery of victims could commence amongst the wrecked houses.

House numbers 21, 23 and 25 were destroyed.

Photo source - Stephen Morrin collection

43

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)

G-ALWE
March 1957

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount named 'R M A Discovery'. Taken at Wythenshawe, Manchester, England 15 March 1957 after crashing on approach to Ringway Airport, Manchester, England the previous day.

The remains of the tail and rear fuselage has now been dragged away from the three houses that it crashed into.

House numbers 21, 23 and 25 were destroyed.

Photo source - R A Scholefield collection

44

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)

G-ALWE
March 1957

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount named 'R M A Discovery'. Taken at Ringway Airport, Manchester, England in March 1957 after crashing on approach 14 March 1957.

The remains of the rear fuselage and tail section.

A very sad event.

The starboard wing finally identified the cause of the accident.

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Viscount c/n 4

Click on a photo to see a larger version

Below are the 44 photos we have on file for Viscount c/n 4 together with either the actual date that the photo was taken or an estimate of that date based on clues such as the livery worn or other background information.

1

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE April 1952

Photo source - Richard Stanton collection

2

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE May 1952

Photo source - Brian R Burrage collection (gallery 1)

3

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE May 1952

Photo source - Brian R Burrage collection (gallery 1)

4

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE August 1952

Photo source - Richard Stanton collection

5

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE September 1952

Photo source - Wolfgang Muehlbauer collection

6

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE October 1952

Photo source - Brian R Burrage collection (gallery 1)

7

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE August 1952

Photo source - Richard Stanton collection

8

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE August 1952

Photo source - Charles Edward Brown

9

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE September 1952

Photo source - Richard Stanton collection

10

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE September 1952

Photo source - Britain From Above

11

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE September 1952

Photo source - Brian R Burrage collection (gallery 1)

12

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE September 1952

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

13

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE September 1952

Photo source - Wolfgang Muehlbauer collection

14

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE September 1952

Photo source - Richard Stanton collection

15

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE September 1952

Photo source - Wolfgang Muehlbauer collection

16

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd

G-ALWE September 1952

Photo source - Brian R Burrage collection (gallery 1)

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G-ALWE
April 1952

G-ALWE
May 1952

G-ALWE
May 1952

G-ALWE
August 1952

G-ALWE
September 1952

G-ALWE
October 1952

G-ALWE
August 1952

G-ALWE
August 1952

G-ALWE
September 1952

G-ALWE
September 1952

G-ALWE
September 1952

G-ALWE
September 1952

G-ALWE
September 1952

G-ALWE
September 1952

G-ALWE
September 1952

G-ALWE
September 1952

G-ALWE
September 1952

G-ALWE
September 1952

G-ALWE
October 1952

G-ALWE
October 1952

G-ALWE
October 1952

G-ALWE
February 1953

G-ALWE
February 1953

G-ALWE
March 1953

G-ALWE
March 1953

G-ALWE
May 1953

G-ALWE
May 1953

G-ALWE
May 1953

G-ALWE
May 1953

G-ALWE
May 1953

G-ALWE
May 1953

G-ALWE
August 1953

G-ALWE
October 1953