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 79

Operational Record

Photo of Viscount c/n 79
Indian Air Force


India flag India

This V.723 series Viscount was built for
Indian Air Force as IU-683

It first flew on Tuesday, 8 November 1955 at Weybridge, Surrey, England powered by Rolls-Royce Dart 506 engines.


Photo of Viscount c/n 79
Indian Airlines Corporation (IAC)


India flag India

Its final owner/operator was
Indian Airlines Corporation (IAC) as VT-DWI.

Its fate:-
Registered to Indian Airlines Corporation (IAC) and named 'Gujrat' 30 January 1967. Noted stored at Palam Airport, Delhi, India still in its Indian Air Force livery in June 1968. Officially withdrawn from service at Palam Airport, Dehli, India 16 January 1971.

This aircraft probably never have entered service with Indian Airlines Corporation (IAC). Noted painted in a strange camouflage with No.1 on the nose circa 1973. Broken up at Palam Airport, Delhi, India in December 1973.


Operational record
Photo of Indian Air Force Viscount IU-683

Country of Registration India

December 1955 to January 1967

Indian Air Force

IU-683 - c/n 79 - a V.723 series Viscount
India registered

November 1953
Order placed by the Indian Air Force for two Type 700 series aircraft in VIP configuration.

This one was built to Type 723 standard.

Production Aircraft No. 80 - the 80th production Type 700 series Viscount built,
the 44th Viscount fuselage assembled at Hurn, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England,
and the 34th Viscount assembled at Weybridge, Surrey, England.

Production Order No. F01/723. Sales Order No. F01/55B. Stock Order No. F31/22B.

28 March 1955
Fuselage assembly commenced.

June 1955
Fuselage transported by road from Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England to Weybridge Airfield, Surrey, England.

16 June 1955
Fuselage to Erecting Shop 'E' at Weybridge Airfield, Surrey, England.

8 November 1955
First flight from Brooklands Airfield, Weybridge, Surrey, England.

It landed at Wisley Airfield, Surrey, England for fitting out and test flying.

29 December 1955
Handed over to the Indian Air Force named as 'Pushpaka' fitted out with a 28 seat rear section and a 7 seat VIP front section that included a conference table.

Noted at Hurn, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England for maintenance.

5 January 1956
Noted at Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England still not delivered to India.

17 January 1957
Noted at Safdarjung Airport, Delhi, India bringing President of Syria Shukri al-Quwatli during a State Visit accompanied by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

1966
Withdrawn from service and stored at Palam Airport, Dehli, India together with IU-684 (C/N 80).

27 January 1967
Sold to Indian Airlines Corporation (IAC).


Photo of Indian Airlines Corporation (IAC) Viscount VT-DWI

Country of Registration India

January 1967 to December 1973

Indian Airlines Corporation (IAC)

VT-DWI - c/n 79 - a V.723 series Viscount
India registered

27 January 1967
Purchased from the Indian Air Force.

30 January 1967
Registered to Indian Airlines Corporation (IAC) and named as 'Gujrat'.

June 1968
Noted stored at Palam Airport, Delhi, India still in its Indian Air Force livery.

16 January 1971
Officially withdrawn from service at Palam Airport, Dehli, India.

This aircraft probably never have entered service with Indian Airlines Corporation (IAC).

circa 1973
Noted painted in a strange camouflage with No.1 on the nose.

December 1973
Broken up for scrap at Palam Airport, Delhi, India.

Total time 8,078 hours.


Photo of BEA - British European Airways Viscount G-AOJC

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Information@VickersViscount.net.


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