19 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 136

Operational Record

Photo of Viscount c/n 136
Capital Airlines (USA)


United States flag United States

This V.745D series Viscount was built for
Capital Airlines (USA) as N7438

It first flew on Saturday, 1 September 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 Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association


Photo of Viscount c/n 136
Aero Jet Services Inc


United States flag United States

Its final owner/operator was
Aero Jet Services Inc as N7438.

Its fate:-
Withdrawn from service at an unknown location in December 1968. Broken up for scrap circa January 1969.


Operational record
Photo of Capital Airlines (USA) Viscount N7438

Country of Registration United States

September 1956 to June 1961

Capital Airlines (USA)

N7438 - c/n 136 - a V.745D series Viscount
United States registered

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

This was the 34th Viscount ordered by Capital Airlines.

Production Order No. F34/745. Sales Order No. F34/68B. Stock Order No. F34/27B.

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.

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.

3 September 1956
First flight from Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.

6 September 1956
Delivered to Capital Airlines with fleet number ‘357’ fitted with integral front 'airsteps'.

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 N7438

Country of Registration United States

June 1961 to December 1968

United Air Lines

N7438 - c/n 136 - a V.745D series Viscount
United States registered

1 June 1961
Transferred from Capital Airlines due to a corporate merger retaining fleet number '357'.

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.

10 December 1968
Sold to the Oral Roberts Evangelists Association.


Photo of Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association Viscount N7438

Country of Registration United States

December 1968 to December 1968

Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association

N7438 - c/n 136 - a V.745D series Viscount
United States registered

10 December 1968
Purchased from United Air Lines to provide spare parts support for their other Viscount N7428 (C/N 126).

Total time 29,531 hours and 28,472 total landings.

31 December 1968
Remains sold to Aero Jet Services Inc.

The actual date is not known. Details please to information@vickersviscount.net


Photo of Aero Jet Services Inc Viscount N7438

Country of Registration United States

December 1968 to January 1969

Aero Jet Services Inc

N7438 - c/n 136 - a V.745D series Viscount
United States registered

31 December 1968
Remains purchased from the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association for further recovery of useful parts.

The actual date is not known. Details please to information@vickersviscount.net

Subsequently broken up for scrap.


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.