27 April 2024
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Viscount Survivors


59 of the 444 Viscounts built survive as complete airframes or major components. Some are in very good condition and are looked after by museums while others are just wrecks. They can be found in 24 countries.

Viscount history


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Established 2005
Vickers Viscount Network
A Virtual Museum dedicated to the Vickers-Armstrongs VC2 Viscount
   

Viscount c/n 16

Operational Record

Photo of Viscount c/n 16
Air France


France flag France

This V.708 series Viscount was built for
Air France as F-BGNO

It first flew on Saturday, 19 September 1953 at Weybridge, Surrey, England powered by Rolls-Royce Dart 505 engines.


Photo of Viscount c/n 16
Air Inter (Lignes Aériennes Intérieures)


France flag France

Its final owner/operator was
Air Inter (Lignes Aériennes Intérieures) as F-BGNO.

Its fate:-
Withdrawn from service by Air Inter and stored at Orly Airport, Paris, France in September 1974.

Broken up for scrap in April 1975.


Operational record
Photo of Air France Viscount F-BGNO

Country of Registration France

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).


Photo of Air Inter (Lignes Aériennes Intérieures) Viscount F-BGNO

Country of Registration France

May 1962 to April 1975

Air Inter (Lignes Aériennes Intérieures)

F-BGNO - c/n 16 - a V.708 series Viscount
France registered

31 May 1962
Purchased from Air France.

September 1974
Withdrawn from service and stored at Orly Airport, Paris, France.

Total time 29,549 hours and 24,995 total landings.

April 1975
Broken up for scrap.

2 May 1975
French registration cancelled.


Photo of BEA - British European Airways Viscount G-AOJC

The Vickers Viscount Network is always interested to hear from anyone who has information or photographs to help complete the story of the Viscount. If you can help please contact us at
Information@VickersViscount.net.


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This website has been designed, built and is maintained by Geoff Blampied, Norwich, Norfolk, England.