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.

Viscount history


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

Viscount c/n 209

Operational Record

Photo of Viscount c/n 209
Capital Airlines (USA)


United States flag United States

This V.745D series Viscount was built for
Capital Airlines (USA) as N7454

It first flew on Monday, 26 November 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 209
California Airmotive Inc


United States flag United States

Its final owner/operator was
California Airmotive Inc as N7454.

Its fate:-
Purchased from United Air Lines by California Airmotive Inc and ferried to Burbank Airport, California, USA 9 January 1968. It was then robbed of all useful spares including the valuable Rolls-Royce Dart RDa6 Mark 510 engines. Remains subsequently broken up for scrap.


Operational record
Photo of Capital Airlines (USA) Viscount N7454

Country of Registration United States

December 1956 to June 1961

Capital Airlines (USA)

N7454 - c/n 209 - a V.745D series Viscount
United States registered

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

This was the 49th Viscount ordered by Capital Airlines.

Production Order No. F49/745. Sales Order No. F49/68B. Stock Order No. F62/27B.

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.

26 November 1956
First flight from Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.

11 December 1956
Delivered to Capital Airlines with fleet number ‘372’ 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.


Photo of United Air Lines Viscount N7454

Country of Registration United States

June 1961 to January 1968

United Air Lines

N7454 - c/n 209 - a V.745D series Viscount
United States registered

1 June 1961
Transferred from Capital Airlines due to a corporate merger retaining fleet number '372'.

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.

9 January 1968
Sold to California Airmotive Inc.


Photo of California Airmotive Inc Viscount N7454

Country of Registration United States

January 1968 to February 1968

California Airmotive Inc

N7454 - c/n 209 - a V.745D series Viscount
United States registered

9 January 1968
Purchased from United Air Lines and ferried to Burbank Airport, California, USA for storage and removal of all useful spares including the valuable Rolls-Royce Dart RDa6 Mark 510 engines.

Remains subsequently broken up for scrap. The date is not known. Details please to information@vickersviscount.net

Total time 26,395 hours and 23,985 total landings.


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.


Click here for more details about the Vickers Viscount Network

This website has been designed, built and is maintained by Geoff Blampied, Norwich, Norfolk, England.