25 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.

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

Viscount c/n 123

Operational Record

Photo of Viscount c/n 123
Capital Airlines (USA)


United States flag United States

This V.745D series Viscount was built for
Capital Airlines (USA) as N7425

It first flew on Wednesday, 23 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 and Cavalier Aircraft Corporation


Photo of Viscount c/n 123
Lindsay Newspapers Inc


United States flag United States

Its final owner/operator was
Lindsay Newspapers Inc as N7425.

Its fate:-
Withdrawn from service by the Cavalier Aircraft Corporation and stored at Sarasota Airport, Florida, USA in May 1968. Robbed of all useful spares, particularly the valuable Rolls-Royce Dart RDa6 Mark 510 engines. Cavalier Aircraft Corporation was involved in the conversion of several North American P-51 Mustangs from the piston Rolls-Royce Merlin engine to the Rolls-Royce Dart turbine engine. Remains noted in a derelict condition in November 1969. Remains sold to D B Lindsay of Lindsay Newspapers Inc and broken up for scrap 1 November 1971.


Operational record
Photo of Capital Airlines (USA) Viscount N7425

Country of Registration United States

May 1956 to June 1961

Capital Airlines (USA)

N7425 - c/n 123 - a V.745D series Viscount
United States registered

June 1954
This was the twentyfirst 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. 118 - the 118th production Type 700 series Viscount built,
was the 80th Viscount fuselage assembled at Hurn, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England,
and the 80th Viscount assembled at Hurn, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.

Production Order No. F21/745. Sales Order No. F21/68B. Stock Order No. F21/27B.

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.

2 January 1956
Fuselage assembly commenced at Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.

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

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

29 May 1956
Departed from Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England on delivery to Capital Airlines with fleet number '344' fitted with integral front 'airsteps'.

19 July 1956
Severe hail was encountered at 4,500 feet on approach to O’Hare Airport, Chicago, Illinois, USA which lasted for about a minute.

Less severe hail was then encountered before the aircraft landed safely.

There were no reported injuries to the 43 passengers and 5 crew but the aircraft suffered substantial damage to the nose and various leading edges.

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 N7425

Country of Registration United States

June 1961 to May 1968

United Air Lines

N7425 - c/n 123 - a V.745D series Viscount
United States registered

1 June 1961
Transferred from Capital Airlines due to a corporate merger retaining fleet number '344'.

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.

1 May 1968
Sold to the Cavalier Aircraft Corporation.


Photo of Cavalier Aircraft Corporation Viscount N7425

Country of Registration United States

May 1968 to November 1971

Cavalier Aircraft Corporation

N7425 - c/n 123 - a V.745D series Viscount
United States registered

1 May 1968
Purchased from United Air Lines and ferried to Sarasota Airport, Florida, USA for storage.

Total time 29,206 hours and 27,791 total landings.

Robbed of all useful spares, particularly the valuable Rolls-Royce Dart RDa6 Mark 510 engines.

Cavalier Aircraft Corporation was involved in the conversion of several North American P-51 Mustangs from the piston Rolls-Royce Merlin to the Rolls-Royce Dart turbine, which is why they purchased this Viscount.

November 1969
Remains noted in a derelict condition.

1 November 1971
Derelict remains sold to D B Lindsay of Lindsay Newspapers Inc. The reason for this purchase is not known.


Photo of Lindsay Newspapers Inc Viscount N7425

Country of Registration United States

November 1971 to November 1971

Lindsay Newspapers Inc

N7425 - c/n 123 - a V.745D series Viscount
United States registered

1 November 1971
Derelict remains purchased from Cavalier Aircraft Corporation by D B Lindsay of Lindsay Newspapers Inc and subsequently broken up for scrap.

The reason why this aircraft was purchased is not known.

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.