27 July 2024
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Established 2005
Vickers Viscount Network
A Virtual Museum dedicated to the Vickers-Armstrongs VC2 Viscount
   

Viscount c/n 259

Operational Record

Photo of Viscount c/n 259
British European Airways Corporation (BEA)


England flag England

This V.806 series Viscount was built for
British European Airways Corporation (BEA) as G-AOYJ

It first flew on Monday, 9 December 1957 at Weybridge, Surrey, England powered by Rolls-Royce Dart 520 engines.


During its life this aircraft was also owned and/or operated by
Cyprus Airways, Cambrian Airways, British Airways (BA), British Air Ferries (BAF), Air Algerie, Keegan Leasing, Panavia Air Cargo Ltd, Manx Airlines, Guernsey Airlines and Securicor Air


Photo of Viscount c/n 259
British World Airlines (BWA)


England flag England

Its final owner/operator was
British World Airlines (BWA) as G-BLOA.

Its fate:-
Withdrawn from service by British World Airlines (BWA) and stored at Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England on the 13 June 1993. Broken up for scrap in August 1996.


Operational record
Photo of British European Airways Corporation (BEA) Viscount G-AOYJ

Country of Registration United Kingdom

January 1958 to October 1965

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)

G-AOYJ - c/n 259 - a V.806 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

January 1956
This was the 5th Type 806 and the 28th 800 series Viscount ordered by British European Airways Corporation.

The first (C/N 255) was not delivered as it was loaned to Vickers-Armstrongs for Type 810 development work.

Production Aircraft No. 42 - the 42nd production 800 series Viscount built,
was the 33rd 800 series Viscount fuselage assembled at Hurn, Bournemouth, England,
and the 42nd 800 series Viscount assembled at Weybridge, Surrey, England.

Production Order No. F05/806. Sales Order No. F05/98B. Stock Order No. F28/33B.

20 December 1956
Registered to British European Airways Corporation.

14 May 1957
Fuselage assembly commenced at Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.

June 1957
Fuselage transported by road from Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England to Weybridge, Surrey, England.

29 June 1957
Fuselage to Erecting Shop 'E' at Weybridge, Surrey, England.

9 December 1957
First flight from Brooklands Airfield, Weybridge, Surrey, England.

It landed at Wisley Airfield, Surrey, England for fitting out and test flying.

19 December 1957
Noted at Blackbushe Airport, Hampshire, England due to a London Airport (Heathrow) weather diversion.

8 January 1958
Delivered to British European Airways (BEA) named as 'R M A Edward Jenner'.

26 January 1959
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England due to a London Airport (Heathrow) weather diversion.

29 January 1959
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England due to a London Airport (Heathrow) weather diversion.

A new BEA ‘Red Square‘ livery was adopted.
BEA
‘Red Square‘ livery

March 1959
A new BEA 'Red Square' livery was adopted and aircraft were repainted during the early 1960s when they next went in for overhaul.

Sadly, after repainting, the aircraft no longer carried a name including the nameplate on the forward cabin bulkhead.

7 November 1959
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England due to a London Airport (Heathrow) weather diversion.

7 January 1960
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England due to a London Airport (Heathrow) weather diversion.

8 December 1960
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England due to a London Airport (Heathrow) weather diversion.

4 June 1965
Noted at Leeds / Bradford Airport, Yeadon, Yorkshire, England operating UK services on behalf of BKS Air Transport Ltd.

28 October 1965
Leased to Cyprus Airways.

FURTHER READING: Books about BEA - British European Airways



Photo of Cyprus Airways Ltd Viscount G-AOYJ

Country of Registration United Kingdom

October 1965 to May 1970

Cyprus Airways Ltd

G-AOYJ - c/n 259 - a V.806 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

28 October 1965
Leased from British European Airways (BEA) in full Cyprus Airways livery.

May 1970
Returned to British European Airways (BEA).


Photo of British European Airways Corporation (BEA) Viscount G-AOYJ

Country of Registration United Kingdom

May 1970 to October 1970

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)

G-AOYJ - c/n 259 - a V.806 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

May 1970
Returned from Cyprus Airways lease and returned to BEA service still in full Cyprus livery with small BEA 'Red Square' logos on the cheatline.

31 May 1970
Noted inside the BEA maintenance hangar at Jersey Airport, Channel Islands still carrying Cyprus Airways titles and tail logo.

15 October 1970
Sold to Cambrian Airways / British Air Services (BAS).

FURTHER READING: Books about BEA - British European Airways



Photo of Cambrian Airways Viscount G-AOYJ

Country of Registration United Kingdom

October 1970 to July 1973

Cambrian Airways

G-AOYJ - c/n 259 - a V.806 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

15 October 1970
Purchased from British European Airways (BEA) and delivered to Rhoose Airport, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales.

Painted in the Cambrian Airways ‘Orange‘ livery.
Cambrian Airways
‘Orange‘ livery

circa 1972
Painted in the Cambrian Airways ‘Orange‘ livery.

1 April 1972
Cambrian Aiways came under the control of British Airways (BA).

19 April 1972
Total time 23,314:47 hours and 20,711 total landings.

1 September 1972
Cambrian Airways became part of the Regional Division of British Airways (BA).

28 September 1972
Total time 23,786:30 hours and 21,426 total landings.

31 July 1973
Transferred to British Airways (BA) due to a corporate merger.


Photo of British Airways (BA) Viscount G-AOYJ

Country of Registration United Kingdom

July 1973 to April 1981

British Airways (BA)

G-AOYJ - c/n 259 - a V.806 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

31 July 1973
Transferred from Cambrian Airways due to a corporate merger.

Operated on the ex Cambrian Airways routes.

12 February 1974
Total time 25,767:17 hours and 24,482 total landings.

2 October 1978
Total time 33,743:04 hours and 36,347 total landings.

30 August 1979
Total time 35,029:18 hours and 38,003 total landings.

27 March 1981
Last service for British Airways (BA) from Abbotsinch Airport, Glasgow, Scotland to Dalcross Airport, Inverness, Scotland.

30 March 1981
Ferried to Rhoose Airport, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales and withdrawn from service and stored.

April 1981
Sold to British Air Ferries (BAF).

FURTHER READING: Books about British Airways (BA)



Photo of British Air Ferries (BAF) Viscount G-AOYJ

Country of Registration United Kingdom

April 1981 to May 1981

British Air Ferries (BAF)

G-AOYJ - c/n 259 - a V.806 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

April 1981
Purchased from British Airways (BA).

14 April 1981
Ferried from Rhoose Airport, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales to Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England in a basic BA livery less titles.

9 May 1981
Wet leased to Air Algerie, i.e. using BAF crews.


Photo of Air Algerie Viscount G-AOYJ

Country of Registration United Kingdom

May 1981 to September 1981

Air Algerie

G-AOYJ - c/n 259 - a V.806 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

9 May 1981
Wet leased from British Air Ferries (BAF) in full Air Algerie livery using BAF crews.

September 1981
Returned to British Air Ferries (BAF).


Photo of British Air Ferries (BAF) Viscount G-AOYJ

Country of Registration United Kingdom

September 1981 to May 1983

British Air Ferries (BAF)

G-AOYJ - c/n 259 - a V.806 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

September 1981
Returned from Air Algerie lease.

1 May 1983
Sold to Keegan Leasing and Management Ltd.


Photo of Keegan Leasing and Management Ltd Viscount G-AOYJ

Country of Registration United Kingdom

May 1983 to January 1984

Keegan Leasing and Management Ltd

G-AOYJ - c/n 259 - a V.806 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

1 May 1983
Purchased from British Air Ferries (BAF) and stored at Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England.

4 January 1984
Sold to Panavia Air Cargo Ltd.


Photo of Panavia Air Cargo Ltd Viscount G-AOYJ

Country of Registration United Kingdom

January 1984 to January 1984

Panavia Air Cargo Ltd

G-AOYJ - c/n 259 - a V.806 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

4 January 1984
Purchased from Keegan Leasing and Management Ltd.

4 January 1984
Leased to British Air Ferries (BAF).


Photo of British Air Ferries (BAF) Viscount G-AOYJ

Country of Registration United Kingdom

January 1984 to August 1984

British Air Ferries (BAF)

G-AOYJ - c/n 259 - a V.806 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

4 January 1984
Leased from Panavia Air Cargo Ltd.

22 August 1984
Re-registered G-BLOA.


Photo of British Air Ferries (BAF) Viscount G-BLOA

Country of Registration United Kingdom

August 1984 to October 1984

British Air Ferries (BAF)

G-BLOA - c/n 259 - a V.806 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

22 August 1984
Re-registered from G-AOYJ.

30 September 1984
Sub-leased to Manx Airlines.


Photo of Manx Airlines (Skianyn Vannin) Viscount G-BLOA

Country of Registration United Kingdom

October 1984 to February 1985

Manx Airlines (Skianyn Vannin)

G-BLOA - c/n 259 - a V.806 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

30 September 1984
Sub-leased from British Air Ferries (BAF).

30 September 1984
Delivered from Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England to Ronaldsway Airport, Isle of Man in full Manx Airlines livery.

1 October 1984
First service from Ronaldsway Airport, Isle of Man to Heathrow, London, England.

21 February 1985
Last service from Ronaldsway Airport, Isle of Man to Heathrow, London, England.

21 February 1985
Returned to British Air Ferries (BAF) at Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England.


Photo of British Air Ferries (BAF) Viscount G-BLOA

Country of Registration United Kingdom

February 1985 to October 1985

British Air Ferries (BAF)

G-BLOA - c/n 259 - a V.806 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

21 February 1985
Returned from Manx Airlines sub-lease.

Returned to service with British Air Ferries (BAF) in the ex Manx Airlines livery less titles.

7 October 1985
Sub-leased back to Manx Airlines.


Photo of Manx Airlines (Skianyn Vannin) Viscount G-BLOA

Country of Registration United Kingdom

October 1985 to October 1985

Manx Airlines (Skianyn Vannin)

G-BLOA - c/n 259 - a V.806 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

7 October 1985
Sub-leased again from British Air Ferries (BAF) still in Manx Airlines livery less titles.

31 October 1985
Returned to British Air Ferries (BAF).


Photo of British Air Ferries (BAF) Viscount G-BLOA

Country of Registration United Kingdom

October 1985 to June 1986

British Air Ferries (BAF)

G-BLOA - c/n 259 - a V.806 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

31 October 1985
Returned from Manx Airlines sub-lease and stored at Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England in their livery less titles.

16 March 1986
Noted with all four propellers removed.

24 June 1986
Sub-leased to Guernsey Airlines.


Photo of Guernsey Airlines Viscount G-BLOA

Country of Registration United Kingdom

June 1986 to September 1987

Guernsey Airlines

G-BLOA - c/n 259 - a V.806 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

24 June 1986
Sub-leased from British Air Ferries (BAF) who had leased it from Panavia Air Cargo Ltd.

It was painted up in full Guernsey Airlines livery named as 'Viscount de Sausmarez'.

September 1987
Returned to British Air Ferries (BAF) after Aurigny Air Services took over Guernsey Airlines.


Photo of British Air Ferries (BAF) Viscount G-BLOA

Country of Registration United Kingdom

September 1987 to January 1989

British Air Ferries (BAF)

G-BLOA - c/n 259 - a V.806 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

September 1987
Returned from Guernsey Airlines sub-lease and operated for a short period on oil contracts out of Dyce Airport, Aberdeen, Scotland.

October 1987
Withdrawn from service and stored at Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England.

May / June 1988
Converted to cargo configuration but without a large cargo door and painted in British Air Ferries (BAF) 'Freightmaster' polished metal livery named as 'Viscount Jock Bryce OBE'.

6 July 1988
Entered freight service from Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England to Linate Airport, Milan, Italy.

3 January 1989
Sub-leased to Securicor Air.


Photo of Securicor Air Viscount G-BLOA

Country of Registration United Kingdom

January 1989 to January 1990

Securicor Air

G-BLOA - c/n 259 - a V.806 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

3 January 1989
Sub-leased from British Air Ferries (BAF) who had leased it from Panavia Air Cargo Ltd still in full British Air Ferries (BAF) 'Freightmaster' livery.

January 1990
Returned to British Air Ferries (BAF).


Photo of British Air Ferries (BAF) Viscount G-BLOA

Country of Registration United Kingdom

January 1990 to April 1993

British Air Ferries (BAF)

G-BLOA - c/n 259 - a V.806 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

January 1990
Returned from Securicor Air sub-lease.

31 August 1992
Certificate of Airworthiness expired and work carried out to renew it.

1 April 1993
Transferred to British World Airlines (BWA) due to a corporate name change.


Photo of British World Airlines (BWA) Viscount G-BLOA

Country of Registration United Kingdom

April 1993 to August 1996

British World Airlines (BWA)

G-BLOA - c/n 259 - a V.806 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

1 April 1993
Transferred from British Air Ferries (BAF) due to a corporate name change.

Retained British Air Ferries (BAF) 'Freightmaster' livery and titles.

13 June 1993
Withdrawn from service and stored at Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England.

31 August 1993
Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA) expired.

August 1996
Broken up for scrap.


Photo of BEA - British European Airways Viscount G-AOJC

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Information@VickersViscount.net.


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