
August 1954 to March 1962
Air France
F-BGNV - c/n 39 - a V.708 series Viscount
France registered
March 1951
An order was placed by Air France for twelve Type 700 aircraft. This was the twelfth one built.
Production Aircraft No. 36 - the 36th production Type 700 series Viscount built,
was the 7th Viscount fuselage assembled at Hurn, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England,
and the 12th Viscount assembled at Hurn, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.
Production Order No. F12/708. Sales Order No. F12/85A. Stock Order No. F04/21B.
23 February 1954
Fuselage assembly commenced at Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.
6 April 1954
Fuselage to Erecting Shop 'E' at Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.
29 July 1954
First flight from Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.
19 August 1954
Delivered to Air France.
25 August 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.
Capacity later increased from 48 seats to 63 seats.
29 January 1958 - 18 April 1958
To Wisley Airfield, Surrey, England for spar checks and modifications.
25 November 1958
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England due to a London Airport (Heathrow) weather diversion.
26 September 1959
Noted at Blackbushe Airport, Hampshire, England due to a London Airport (Heathrow) weather diversion.
18 March 1962
Sold to Air Inter (Lignes Aériennes Intérieures).
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