
May 1955 to January 1958
Capital Airlines (USA)
N7402 - c/n 88 - a V.744 series Viscount
United States registered
17 May 1955
Formerly handed over on lease to Capital Airlines during a ceremony at Wisley Airfield, Surrey, England.
There were 400 guests at the ceremony which included Lieutenant General Sir Ronald Weeks, Chairman of Vickers, the US Ambassador to Great Britain, Mr James Henry 'Slim' Carmichael, President of Capital Airlines and his wife and of course George Robert Edwards, Vickers Managing Director.
18 May 1955
The aircraft returned to Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England to continue the test flying programme prior to acceptance and delivery.
15 June 1955
Departed on delivery on lease to Capital Airlines from Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd with fleet number ‘321’ pending the delivery of their fleet of V.745 and V.745D Viscounts.
Although powered by Rolls-Royce Dart RDa3 Mark 506 engines, this aircraft was now fitted with the square tipped propeller more associated with the Dart RDa6 Mark 510 engines.
This was the first Viscount to be operated from the USA, preceded by Trans-Canada Air Lines (TCA) as the first North American operator with routes into the USA.
20 June 1955
Arrived at Washington National Airport, District of Columbia, USA.
circa 1956
During a flight from Washington National Airport, District of Columbia to Hopkins International Airport, Cleveland, Ohio Captain Ernie Barnes and First Officer Jerry Girard were advised by Cleveland Center that there was a USAF Lockheed T-33A jet trainer in the area and that the pilot had declared an emergency having suffered an engine failure. At the time the Viscount was descending to 12,000 feet on approach to Cleveland.
The ATC Center then advised the Capital crew that the jet trainer's radio had now failed. They were then cleared to descend to 4,000 feet which Captain Barnes declined to do until they were sure that they were clear of the jet trainer.
Shortly after this the Capital crew spotted the T-33A which was circling at a higher altitude. They started their descent to 6,000 feet as the T-33A continued to circle above them.
They then saw that both T-33A crew members had ejected and that the T-33A had started to turn and head in their direction.
Captain Barnes turned the Viscount and opened up the engines in order to escape from the T-33A which then crashed in open land 40 miles from Cleveland.
They then made a routine landing at Cleveland but were unimpressed with the USAF crew for putting their Viscount and occupants in mortal danger.
31 January 1958
Returned to Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd.
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