02 December 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 146

Operational Record

Photo of Viscount c/n 146
Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA)


Australia flag Australia

This V.756D series Viscount was built for
Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA) as VH-TVH

It first flew on Thursday, 3 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
Australian Aircraft Sales (NSW) Pty Ltd (AAS)


Photo of Viscount c/n 146
Sims Metal Ltd


Australia flag Australia

Its final owner/operator was
Sims Metal Ltd as VH-TVH.

Its fate:-
Grounded at Essendon Airport, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 31 December 1968 after the crash of V.720 VH-RMQ (C/N 45). Sold to Australian Aircraft Sales (NSW) Pty Ltd (AAS) in June 1970. Remains sold to Sims Metals in July 1970 for metal salvage and broken up into sections for removal to their yard at Brooklyn, Western Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.


Operational record
Photo of Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA) Viscount VH-TVH

Country of Registration Australia

June 1956 to June 1970

Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA)

VH-TVH - c/n 146 - a V.756D series Viscount
Australia registered

22 June 1954
Registration to Australian National Airlines Commission trading as Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA) reserved on the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-TVH.

April 1955
This was the first Type 756 Viscount ordered by Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA).

Production Order No. F01/756. Sales Order No. F01/74B. Stock Order No. F40/22B.

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

3 June 1956
Delivered to Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA) named as 'George Bass' with 'The Nations Jetline' titles and fitted with Rolls-Royce Dart RDa6 Mark 510 engines.

During the delivery the aircraft stopped off at Schwechat Airport, Vienna, Austria to pick up 15 Austrian males who were emigrating to Australia. They joined 3 males who had boarded in the UK for the same reason.

1956
This aircraft broke the Brisbane to Melbourne journey time record three times. The 858 nautical mile sector was achieved by an unknown Captain in 2hrs 59 minutes.

The previously record was 3hrs 4 minutes.

The next day Captain I Black achieved the journey in 2hrs 55 minutes and eleven days later Captain K Fox achieved the journey in 2hrs 50 minutes.

circa 1962
Weather radar was installed as a result of the accident to VH-TVC (C/N 46) and a subsequent Australian Airworthiness Directive.

Later named as 'John Fawkner'.

30 December 1968
Last revenue service to Essendon Airport, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

31 December 1968
Grounded after the crash of Type 720 VH-RMQ (C/N 45).

Total hours 31,299 hours and 21815 total landings.

Proposed sale to Keegan Aviation Ltd in the UK not completed.

13 May 1970
Registration cancelled.

June 1970
Sold to Australian Aircraft Sales (NSW) Pty Ltd (AAS)


Photo of Australian Aircraft Sales (NSW) Pty Ltd (AAS) Viscount VH-TVH

Country of Registration Australia

June 1970 to July 1970

Australian Aircraft Sales (NSW) Pty Ltd (AAS)

VH-TVH - c/n 146 - a V.756D series Viscount
Australia registered

June 1970
Purchased from Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA) but the aircraft remained at Essendon Airport, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

A possible sale to Far Eastern Air Transport was not completed.

It was subsequently robbed of all useful parts, particularly the valuable Rolls-Royce Dart engines.

1 July 1970
Remains sold to Sims Metal Ltd for metal salvage.


Photo of Sims Metal Ltd Viscount VH-TVH

Country of Registration Australia

July 1970 to July 1970

Sims Metal Ltd

VH-TVH - c/n 146 - a V.756D series Viscount
Australia registered

1 July 1970
Purchased from Australian Aircraft Sales (NSW) Pty Ltd (AAS) for metal salvage.

25 July 1970
Broken up into sections for removal to their yard at Brooklyn, Western Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.


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.