
August 1954 to August 1962
British European Airways Corporation (BEA)
G-ANHA - c/n 61 - a V.701C series Viscount
United Kingdom registered
3 August 1954
Registered to British European Airways Corporation (BEA), Bealine House, Ruislip, Middlesex.
7 October 1954
First flight from Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.
The official Vickers flight test report quotes 7 September 1954 which seems unlikely.
19 October 1954
Certificate of Airworthiness issued.
19 October 1954
Delivered to British European Airways (BEA) named as 'R M A Anthony Jenkinson'.
It was fitted with Rolls-Royce Dart RDa3 Mark 506 engines and designated as a V.701C.
1954 to 1962
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.
Modification included the installation of extra windows
March 1959
A new BEA 'Red Square' livery was adopted and aircraft were repainted during the early 1960s when they next went in for overhaul.
Sadly, after repainting, the aircraft no longer carried a name including the nameplate on the forward cabin bulkhead.
31 March 1959
BEA annual report quotes a total flying time of 9,552 hours.
1959
Converted from 40/47 seats to 60/63 seats in a new high density configuration. This modification included the installation of an 11th standard size window on the rear starboard side and a small window behind the rear entrance door on the port side of the aircraft.
BEA 'Red Square' livery
12 May 1959
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England carrying out multiple ILS approaches and overshoots.
5 November 1959
Noted at Blackbushe Airport, Hampshire, England carrying out multiple ILS approaches and overshoots.
12 November 1959
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England due to a London Airport (Heathrow) weather diversion.
3 August 1960
Noted at Shannon Airport, County Clare, Ireland.
17 October 1960
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England due to a London Airport (Heathrow) weather diversion.
June 1961
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England now fitted with a set of lightweight integral front 'airsteps'.
30 August 1962
Sold to Viação Aérea São Paulo SA (VASP).
Total time 16,029 hours.
FURTHER READING: Books about BEA - British European Airways
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