27 July 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.

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

Viscount c/n 47

Operational Record

Photo of Viscount c/n 47
Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA)


Australia flag Australia

This V.720 series Viscount was built for
Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA) as VH-TVD

It first flew on Wednesday, 1 December 1954 at Hurn, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England powered by Rolls-Royce Dart 506 engines.


During its life this aircraft was also owned and/or operated by
Keegan Aviation Ltd


Photo of Viscount c/n 47
Flightspares Ltd


England flag England

Its final owner/operator was
Flightspares Ltd as VH-TVD.

Its fate:-
Broken up for scrap at Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England in February 1970.


Operational record
Photo of Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA) Viscount VH-TVD

Country of Registration Australia

December 1954 to October 1967

Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA)

VH-TVD - c/n 47 - a V.720 series Viscount
Australia registered

June 1952
This was the fourth Type 720 of six ordered by Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA).

The total value of the order was £1,934,000 including spare parts.

Production Aircraft No. 43 - the 43rd production Type 700 series Viscount built,
was the 10th Viscount fuselage assembled at Hurn, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England,
and the 18th Viscount assembled at Hurn, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.

Production Order No. F04/720. Sales Order No. F04/88A. Stock Order No. F16/21B.

9 April 1954
Fuselage assembly commenced at Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.

29 May 1954
Fuselage to Erecting Shop 'E' at Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.

22 June 1954
Registered to Australian National Airlines Commission trading as Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA).

1 December 1954
First flight from Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.

18 December 1954
Delivered to Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA) named as 'Hamilton Hume'.

It was fitted with Rolls-Royce Dart RDa3 Mark 506 engines.

It was also fitted with extended range 'slipper' fuel tanks.

circa 1957
Converted to Type 720C standard with a revised cockpit layout that included replacing the slatted direct vision windows, paddle type propeller blades and propeller synchronisation equipment.

circa 1962
Weather radar was installed as a result of the accident to VH-TVC (C/N 46) and a subsequent Australian Airworthiness Directive.

28 April 1967
Withdrawn from service and stored at Essendon Airport, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

August 1967
Sold to Keegan Aviation Ltd.


Photo of Keegan Aviation Ltd Viscount VH-TVD

Country of Registration Australia

August 1967 to January 1970

Keegan Aviation Ltd

VH-TVD - c/n 47 - a V.720 series Viscount
Australia registered

August 1967
Purchased from Trans Australia Airlines (TAA) and ferried to Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England and stored.

Total time 29,352 hours and 22,350 total landings.

12 September 1967
Arrived at Southend from Rome, Italy.

It was offered for sale but there were no buyers.

16 January 1970
Sold to Flightspares Ltd.


Photo of Flightspares Ltd Viscount VH-TVD

Country of Registration Australia

January 1970 to February 1970

Flightspares Ltd

VH-TVD - c/n 47 - a V.720 series Viscount
Australia registered

16 January 1970
Purchased from Keegan Aviation Ltd but it remained stored at Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England.

30 January 1970
Registration cancelled as aircraft permanently withdrawn from use.

It was then robbed of all useful spares.

February 1970
Remains broken up for scrap by Ali Ingots Ltd of Raleigh, Essex, England.


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.