20 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.

Viscount history


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

Viscount c/n 214

Operational Record

Photo of Viscount c/n 214
Capital Airlines (USA)


United States flag United States

This V.745D series Viscount was built for
Capital Airlines (USA) as N7459

It first flew on Friday, 28 December 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 Essex International


Photo of Viscount c/n 214
McKinnon Enterprises Inc


United States flag United States

Its final owner/operator was
McKinnon Enterprises Inc as N7459.

Its fate:-
Withdrawn from service and stored at Victoria Airport, British Columbia, Canada in April 1968. Broken up for scrap in January 1969.


Operational record
Photo of Capital Airlines (USA) Viscount N7459

Country of Registration United States

January 1957 to June 1961

Capital Airlines (USA)

N7459 - c/n 214 - 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 54th Viscount ordered by Capital Airlines.

Production Order No. F54/745. Sales Order No. F54/68B. Stock Order No. F67/27B.

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.

28 December 1956
First flight from Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.

2 January 1957
Noted at Blackbushe Airport, Hampshire, England.

17 January 1957
Delivered to Capital Airlines with fleet number '377' fitted with integral front 'airsteps'.

circa 1958
Large registrations on the rear fuselage appeared after the use of small registrations on the rudder 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 N7459

Country of Registration United States

June 1961 to April 1968

United Air Lines

N7459 - c/n 214 - a V.745D series Viscount
United States registered

1 June 1961
Transferred from Capital Airlines due to a corporate merger retaining fleet number '377'.

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.

16 April 1968
Sold to the Essex Wire Corporation Inc.


Photo of Essex Wire Corporation Inc Viscount N7459

Country of Registration United States

April 1968 to April 1968

Essex Wire Corporation Inc

N7459 - c/n 214 - a V.745D series Viscount
United States registered

16 April 1968
Purchased from United Air Lines.

17 April 1968
Sold to McKinnon Enterprises Inc.


Photo of McKinnon Enterprises Inc Viscount N7459

Country of Registration United States

April 1968 to

McKinnon Enterprises Inc

N7459 - c/n 214 - a V.745D series Viscount
United States registered

17 April 1968
Purchased from the Essex Wire Corporation Inc and ferried to Victoria Airport, British Columbia, Canada for storage.

McKinnon purchased the Viscount solely for the Rolls-Royce Dart RDa6 Mark 510 engines and associated ancilliary equipment which was used to convert Grumman Goose to turboprop power.

February 1972
Remains broken up for scrap.

Total time 25,944 and 23,986 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.


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