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Withdrawn from service and stored at Palam Airport, Delhi, India.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