02 December 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 33

Operational Record

Photo of Viscount c/n 33
Air France


France flag France

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

It first flew on Wednesday, 14 April 1954 at Hurn, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England powered by Rolls-Royce Dart 505 engines.


Photo of Viscount c/n 33
Air Inter (Lignes Aériennes Intérieures)


France flag France

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

Its fate:-
Withdrawn from service by Air Inter (Lignes Aériennes Intérieures) and stored at Orly Airport, Paris, France 26 November 1974.

Broken up for scrap circa April 1975.


Operational record
Photo of Air France Viscount F-BGNQ

Country of Registration France

May 1954 to May 1961

Air France

F-BGNQ - c/n 33 - a V.708 series Viscount
France registered

March 1951
An order was placed by Air France for twelve Type 700 aircraft. This was the seventh Type 708 built.

Production Aircraft No. 31 - the 31st production Type 700 series Viscount built,
was the 27th Viscount fuselage assembled at Weybridge, Surrey, England,
and the 7th Viscount assembled at Hurn, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.

Production Order No. F07/708. Sales Order No. F07/85A. Stock Order No. F27/10B.

20 September 1953
Fuselage assembly commenced at Weybridge, Surrey, England.

October - November 1953
Fuselage transported by road from Weybridge, Surrey, England to Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.

4 November 1953
Fuselage to Erecting Shop 'E' at Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.

14 April 1954
First flight from Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.

21 May 1954
Noted at Blackbushe Airport, Hampshire, England.

27 May 1954
Delivered to Air France.

12 June 1954
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 Type 708 aircraft flew with an ‘intermix’ of both types of propeller blades.

circa 1955
Larger Air France titles applied.

Seating capacity increased from 48 to 63 passengers.

16 November 1958
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England due to a London Airport (Heathrow) weather diversion.

c May 1961
Leased to Air Inter (Lignes Aériennes Intérieures).


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

Country of Registration France

May 1961 to October 1961

Air Inter (Lignes Aériennes Intérieures)

F-BGNQ - c/n 33 - a V.708 series Viscount
France registered

c May 1961
Leased from Air France.

October 1961
Returned to Air France.


Photo of Air France Viscount F-BGNQ

Country of Registration France

October 1961 to April 1962

Air France

F-BGNQ - c/n 33 - a V.708 series Viscount
France registered

October 1961
Returned from Air Inter (Lignes Aériennes Intérieures) lease.

9 April 1962
Transferred to Air Inter (Lignes Aériennes Intérieures).


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

Country of Registration France

April 1962 to May 1975

Air Inter (Lignes Aériennes Intérieures)

F-BGNQ - c/n 33 - a V.708 series Viscount
France registered

9 April 1962
Purchased from Air France.

10 April 1962
Registered to Air Inter.

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

Total time 30,318 hours and 24,903 total landings.

circa 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.