26 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.

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

Viscount c/n 295

Operational Record

Photo of Viscount c/n 295
Indian Airlines Corporation (IAC)


India flag India

This V.768D series Viscount was built for
Indian Airlines Corporation (IAC) as VT-DJB

It first flew on Saturday, 17 May 1958 at Hurn, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England powered by Rolls-Royce Dart 510 engines.


Photo of Viscount c/n 295
Royal Air Lao


Laos flag Laos

Its final owner/operator was
Royal Air Lao as XW-PNJ.

Its fate:-
Withdrawn from service by Indian Airlines Corporation (IAC) and stored at Palam Airport, Delhi, India 21 February 1971.

Painted up in experimental camouflage that included the propellers for Indian Air Force trials.

Sold to Royal Air Lao in October 1975.

Subsequent fate is not known. Confirmation required that this is the correct aircraft. Details please to information@vickersviscount.net


Operational record
Photo of Indian Airlines Corporation (IAC) Viscount VT-DJB

Country of Registration India

May 1958 to October 1975

Indian Airlines Corporation (IAC)

VT-DJB - c/n 295 - a V.768D series Viscount
India registered

17 May 1958
First flight from Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.

22 May 1958
Two acceptance flights were carried out at 11:00 and 16:30 under contract by Hunting-Clan Chief Flying Instructor Brian Alexander Powell (1 hr 10 min and 40 min).

22 May 1958
Handed over to Indian Airlines Corporation (IAC) named as 'Bihar'.

The name was not carried externally.

It had English titles on the port side of the fuselage and Hindi script on the starboard side.

On the same day it was ferried to London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England under contract by Hunting-Clan Chief Flying Instructor Brian Alexander Powell (40 min)

12 July 1959
During a flight from Rangoon Airport, Burma to Dum Dum Airport, Calcutta, India with the aircraft cruising at 17,000 feet over the Bay of Bengal a lady suddenly started to give birth. Captain Waseem Pina was summoned from the flight deck and assisted the lady's mother in giving birth to a baby boy at 4:15 PM.

The baby was appropriately named 'Viscount Viman Rao' and is very proud to be associated with such a fine aircraft. He still lives in Calcutta which is now known as Kolkata.

9 January 1970
During a night takeoff at Patna Airport, Bihar, India the aircraft collided with a wild blue bull on the runway before becoming airborne.

The takeoff was abandoned and the aircraft came to a halt, after sustaining some damage.

There were no reported injuries to the passengers and crew on board.

The airport authorities were criticised for not carrying out the usual pre-takeoff checks to make sure that the runway was clear of animals.

Repaired and returned to service.

circa June 1970
Repainted in a new livery and renamed as 'Uttar Pradesh'.

21 February 1971
Withdrawn from service and stored at Palam Airport, Delhi, India.

17 March 1972
Noted painted up in experimental camouflage that included the propellers for Indian Air Force trials.

1 October 1975
Sold to Royal Air Lao in a modified Indian Airlines Corporation (IAC) livery.
Confirmation required that this is the correct aircraft. Details please to
information@vickersviscount.net


Photo of Royal Air Lao Viscount XW-PNJ

Country of Registration Laos

October 1975 to January 1900

Royal Air Lao

XW-PNJ - c/n 295 - a V.768D series Viscount
Laos registered

1 October 1975
Purchased from Indian Airlines Corporation (IAC) and delivered in a modified Indian Airlines Corporation (IAC) livery.

Confirmation required that this is the correct aircraft.

The fate of this aircraft is not known.
Details please to information@vickersviscount.net


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.