December 1953 to May 1962
Air France
F-BGNO - c/n 16 - a V.708 series Viscount
France registered
March 1951
An order was placed by Air France for twelve Type 708 aircraft. This was the fifth one built.
Production Aircraft No. 16 - the 16th production Type 700 series Viscount built,
was the 13th Viscount fuselage assembled at Weybridge, Surrey, England,
and the 16th Viscount assembled at Weybridge, Surrey, England.
Production Order No. F05/708. Sales Order No. F05/85A. Stock Order No. F13/10B.
8 December 1952
Fuselage assembly commenced at Weybridge, Surrey, England.
16 January 1953
Fuselage to Erecting Shop 'E' at Weybridge, Surrey, England.
11 September 1953
Engine ground running commenced.
19 September 1953
First flight from Brooklands Airfield, Weybridge, Surrey, England.
It landed at Wisley Airfield, Surrey, England for fitting out and test flying.
12 December 1953
Delivered to Air France.
18 December 1953
Registered to Air France.
1954 to c1959
The original ‘cutlass’ design propeller blades were gradually replaced by new symmetrical ‘needle’ blade propeller sets. From photographic evidence, both propeller types were fitted to Rolls-Royce Dart RDa3, Mark 505 and Mark 506 engines and many aircraft flew with an ‘intermix’ of both types of propeller blades.
4 July 1954
Substantially damaged at Kloten Airport, Zurich, Switzerland.
After an abandoned takeoff and heavy braking the aircraft went off the end of the runway at approximately 25 knots.
It then collided with an approach light gantry resulting in the collapse of the nose undercarriage leg.
The aircraft sustained substantial damage but was repaired locally.
There are no reports of any serious injuries to the 34 crew and passengers on board.
circa 1955
Larger Air France titles applied.
Capacity later increased from 48 seats to 63 seats.
16 November 1958
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England due to a London Airport (Heathrow) weather diversion.
22 December 1958
Noted at Blackbushe Airport, Hampshire, England due to a London Airport (Heathrow) weather diversion.
28 January 1959
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England due to a London Airport (Heathrow) weather diversion.
10 March 1959
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England due to a London Airport (Heathrow) weather diversion.
12 November 1959
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England due to a London Airport (Heathrow) weather diversion.
31 May 1962
Sold to Air Inter (Lignes Aériennes Intérieures).
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