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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 122

Operational Record

Photo of Viscount c/n 122
Capital Airlines (USA)


United States flag United States

This V.745D series Viscount was built for
Capital Airlines (USA) as N7424

It first flew on Tuesday, 15 May 1956 at Hurn, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England powered by Rolls-Royce Dart 510 engines.


During its life this aircraft was also owned and/or operated by
United Air Lines


Photo of Viscount c/n 122
Southern Illinois University


United States flag United States

Its final owner/operator was
Southern Illinois University as N7424.

Its fate:-
Donated by United Air Lines to the Southern Illinois University for use as a ground instruction aircraft at their Aeronautics Facility at Southern Illinois Airport, Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois, USA in January 1969.

Still noted in existence 18 October 1992

Subsequently broken up for scrap.

The date is unknown.
Details please to information@vickersviscount.net


Operational record
Photo of Capital Airlines (USA) Viscount N7424

Country of Registration United States

May 1956 to June 1961

Capital Airlines (USA)

N7424 - c/n 122 - a V.745D series Viscount
United States registered

June 1954
This was the twentieth of thirty Type 745 ordered by Capital Airlines.

The first nine aircraft (C/N 103 to 111) were built as Type 745 aircraft with Rolls-Royce Dart RDa3 Mark 506 engines.

All subsequent aircraft in the order were built as Type 745D with Rolls-Royce Dart RDa6 Mark 510 engines.

December 1954
An additional order for 20 Type 745D aircraft was placed by Capital Airlines.

Altogether, the total order was worth $67,000,000 US. This was the highest ever US Dollar export order for the UK at the time.

Production Aircraft No. 117 - the 117th production Type 700 series Viscount built,
was the 78th Viscount fuselage assembled at Hurn, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England,
and the 79th Viscount assembled at Hurn, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.

Production Order No. F20/745. Sales Order No. F20/68B. Stock Order No. F20/27B.

24 August 1955
A drawing showing the cabin seating arrangement was approved and issued.by Capital Airlines and showed 11 rows of 2 + 2 seats with two toilets at the front, one on each side and a large galley at the rear.

20 December 1955
Fuselage assembly commenced at Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.

4 February 1956
Fuselage to Erecting Shop 'E' at Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.

15 May 1956
First flight from Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.

19 May 1956
Departed from Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England on delivery to Capital Airlines with fleet number '343' fitted with integral front 'airsteps'.

15 July 1956
During the takeoff run at O'Hare Airport, Chicago, Illinois, USA the No.1 Rolls-Royce Dart engine suffered a turbine overtemp resulting in its failure and subsequent fire.

The aircraft veered to the right but the pilot controlled the swing, took off and immediately declared an emergency.

The methol bromide fire extinguisher in the No.1 nacelle were activated and fuel was then jettisoned to reduce the aircraft weight for landing.

A safe landing back at O'Hare Airport was made with no reported injuries to the 10 passengers and 4 crew members.

Repaired and returned to service.

Wheels up landing at Friendship International Airport, Baltimore, Maryland.
Wheels up landing

25 July 1956
Suffered a wheels up landing at Friendship International Airport, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. All four propellers were badly curled resulting in shockload damage to the Rolls-Royce Dart RDa6 Mark 510 engines.

After departure the crew had forgotten to turn on the generators resulting in flattening of the batteries and a failure of the radio and flight instruments.

As there was no electrical power, the crew were unable to deploy the undercarriage. There is no mention in the report of them trying to lower the undercarriage using the backup mechanical system.

There were no reported injuries to the 4 crew on board, as this was a positioning flight.

Repaired and returned to service.

circa 1958
Large registrations on the rear fuselage appeared after the use of small registrations on the tail were banned by the newly formed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Also by this time weather radar had been fitted resulting in a change to the nose cone.

May 1960
Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd filed a foreclosure suit on the entire Viscount fleet of Capital Airlines as the overdue payments now totalled $34,000,000.

4 April 1961
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officially gave permission for United Air Lines to acquire Capital Airlines.

At the time this was the biggest merger transaction in US civil aviation history.

1 June 1961
Transferred to United Air Lines due to a corporate merger.


Photo of United Air Lines Viscount N7424

Country of Registration United States

June 1961 to January 1969

United Air Lines

N7424 - c/n 122 - a V.745D series Viscount
United States registered

1 June 1961
Transferred from Capital Airlines due to merger retaining fleet number '343'.

After repainting in United Air Lines livery during a suitable maintenance period the title ‘Viscount Mainliner’ was applied to the rear fuselage.

The last Capital Viscount N7443 (C/N 199) was repainted in United Air Lines livery in March 1962.

January 1969
Donated to Southern Illinois University.


Photo of Southern Illinois University Viscount N7424

Country of Registration United States

January 1969 to December 1992

Southern Illinois University

N7424 - c/n 122 - a V.745D series Viscount
United States registered

January 1969
Donated by United Air Lines for use as a ground instruction aircraft at their aeronautics facility at Southern Illinois Airport, Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois, USA.

18 October 1992
Still noted in existence.

Subsequently broken up for scrap.
Details please to information@vickersviscount.net


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.