Viscount c/n 139
Operational Record
Capital Airlines (USA)
United States
This V.745D series Viscount was built for Capital Airlines (USA) as N7441 It first flew on Monday, 17 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, Viscount International Corporation and Jack Conroy-Turbo Three Inc
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
United States
Its final owner/operator was Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University as N7441.Its fate:- Withdrawn from service and stored at Santa Barbara Airport, California, USA in September 1973. Broken up for scrap in October 1975.
September 1956 to June 1961
Capital Airlines (USA)
N7441 - c/n 139 - a V.745D series Viscount
United States registered
December 1954
An order for an additional 20 V.745D aircraft was placed by Capital Airlines.
This was the 37th Viscount ordered by Capital Airlines.
Production Order No. F37/745. Sales Order No. F37/68B. Stock Order No. F37/27B.
Altogether, the total order for 57 aircraft was worth $67,000,000 US. This was the highest ever US Dollar export order for the UK at the time.
17 September 1956
First flight from Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.
23 September 1956
Delivered to Capital Airlines with fleet number ‘360’ and 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 started to be 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.
June 1961 to January 1969
United Air Lines
N7441 - c/n 139 - a V.745D series Viscount
United States registered
1 June 1961
Transferred from Capital Airlines due to a corporate merger retaining fleet number '360'. The title ‘Viscount Mainliner’ was applied to the rear fuselage.
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.
11 January 1969
Sold to the Viscount International Corporation.
January 1969 to September 1973
Viscount International Corporation
N7441 - c/n 139 - a V.745D series Viscount
United States registered
11 January 1969
Purchased from United Air Lines and ferried to Sussex County Airport, Georgetown, Delaware, USA for storage in ex United livery less titles.
Total time 29,478 hours.
20 September 1973
Sold to Conroy Aircraft inc.
September 1973 to December 1974
Conroy Aircraft Inc
N7441 - c/n 139 - a V.745D series Viscount
United States registered
11 January 1969
Purchased from the Viscount International Corporation and ferried to Santa Barbara Airport, California, USA.
The Rolls-Royce Dart RDa6 Mark 510 engines were removed and two of them were installed in Douglas C-117 N156WC. It became known as the Super-Turbo-Three.
25 July 1974
Remains noted in derelict condition.
28 December 1974
Derelict remains sold to the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for training purposes but the aircraft remained stored at Santa Barbara Airport, California, USA.
December 1974 to October 1975
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
N7441 - c/n 139 - a V.745D series Viscount
United States registered
28 December 1974
Derelict remains purchased from Conroy Aircraft Inc for spares recovery but the aircraft remained stored at Santa Barbara Airport, California, USA.
9 January 1975
Registered to the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
October 1975
Remains sold back to Conroy Aircraft Inc which was one of several companies owned by Jack Conroy.
October 1975 to October 1975
Conroy Aircraft Inc
N7441 - c/n 139 - a V.745D series Viscount
United States registered
October 1975
Remains purchased back from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and broken up for scrap.