19 April 2024
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Viscount Survivors

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

Letter from HRH Prince Philip

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by David Carter


Discover the history of the Viscount with film, video, contemporary reports from the pages of Flight Magazine, our newsletters, and aircraft operational records and photos from our database.


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Featured pages

Our website contains over 20,000 pages of photos and information that can all be accessed from the menu at the top of every page. Here are a few to get you started.


In the Beginning

The Turboprop World-Beater

Sir George Edwards

The Rolls-Royce Dart

c/n 1 G-AHRF V.630
The Prototype Viscount

c/n 2 VX217 V.663
The Tay powered Viscount

c/n 3 G-AMAV V.700
The V.700 series prototype

c/n 4 G-ALWE V.701
The first BEA Viscount

c/n 5 G-ALWF V.701
The oldest surviving Viscount

c/n 8 F-BGNK V.708
The first Air France Viscount

c/n 30 EI-AFV V.707
The first Aer Lingus Viscount

c/n 40 CF-TGI V.724
The first TCA Viscount

c/n 44 VH-TVA V.720
The first TAA Viscount

c/n 67 YI-ACK V.735
The first Iraqi Airways Viscount

c/n 70 CF-GXK V.737
The first Canadian DoT Viscount

c/n 71 VP-TBK V.702
The first BOAC Associated
Companies Viscount

c/n 74 G-ANRR V.732
The first Hunting-Clan Viscount

c/n 77 LN-FOF V.736
The first Fred Olsen Viscount

c/n 79 IU-683 V.723
The first Indian Air Force Viscount

c/n 88 N7402 V.744
The first Capital Airlines Viscount

c/n 97 VH-BAT V.747
The first Butler Air
Transport Viscount


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

Viscount c/n 318

Operational Record

Photo of Viscount c/n 318
Compañía Cubana de Aviación S.A.


Cuba flag Cuba

This V.818 series Viscount was built for
Compañía Cubana de Aviación S.A. as CU-T622

It first flew on Wednesday, 19 November 1958 at Weybridge, Surrey, England powered by Rolls-Royce Dart 525 engines.

During its life this aircraft was also owned and/or operated by
South African Airways (SAA), Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA), Australian Aircraft Restoration Group (AARG) and Wobbies World Amusement Park

Photo of Viscount c/n 318
Australian National Aviation Museum


Australia flag Australia

Its final owner/operator was
Australian National Aviation Museum as VH-TVR.

Its fate:-
Converted to a V.816 for Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA) in 1962. Operated its final Trans Australia Airlines (TAA) revenue service TN1983 from Kingsford Smith Airport, Mascot, Sydney, New South Wales to Essendon Airport, Melbourne, Victoria and stored 10 April 1970.

The aircraft was scheduled to go to the Director of Civil Aviation (DCA) for use as a fire trainer but the Chairman of TAA Sir Frederick Scherger intervened and insisted that the aircraft should be preserved somewhere. Donated to the Australian Aircraft Restoration Group (AARG) in June 1970 who intended to display it at the Australian National Aviation Museum, which is located at Moorabbin Airport, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia but it could not be moved due to space limitations at the museum. Noted still stored at Essendon Airport with 'AARG' Australian Aviation Restoration Group markings over the basic TAA - Trans Australia Airlines livery in July 1973.

Transferred on loan to the Wobbies World Children's Amusement Park, Springvale Road, Forest Hill, Nunawading 29 October 1978 which is about 30 KM from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia due to continued space limitations at the museum site. It was in poor condition and was used as a movie-projector simulator in a childrens play area.

Transferred to the Australian National Aviation Museum, Moorabbin Airport, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 19 February 1996.


Operational record
Photo of Compañía Cubana de Aviación S.A. Viscount CU-T622

Country of Registration Cuba

August 1959 to March 1962

Compañía Cubana de Aviación S.A.

CU-T622 - c/n 318 - a V.818 series Viscount
Cuba registered

circa 1957
Compañía Cubana de Aviación S.A placed an order for four Type 818 aircraft but only three were delivered.

Production Order No. F02/818. Sales Order No. F02/6C. Stock Order No. F21/35B.

19 November 1958
First flight from Brooklands Airfield, Weybridge, Surrey, England.

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

22 December 1958
Noted at Blackbushe Airport, Hampshire, England carrying out multiple ILS approaches and overshoots.

10 July 1959
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England carrying out a single ILS approach and overshoot.

11 July 1959
Noted at Blackbushe Airport, Hampshire, England carrying out multiple ILS approaches and overshoots.

4 August 1959
Departed from Wisley Airfield, Surrey, England to Compañía Cubana de Aviación S.A. using call sign 'CU-N622' which was not carried on the aircraft.

The titles on the aircraft were shortened to Cubana de Aviación and the cabin configuration was 52 seats.

CU-T621 (C/N 317) was delivered on the same day.

5 August 1959
Noted at Blackbushe Airport, Hampshire, England during the delivery to José Martí Airport, Havana, Cuba together with CU-T621 (C/N 317).

September 1961
Withdrawn from service and stored at José Martí Airport, Havana, Cuba and robbed of some parts to support the other Viscounts in the fleet.

March 1962
A sale to South African Airways as ZS-CVB was not completed.

15 March 1962
Sold to the Australian National Airlines Commission for operation by Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA).

After the sale was completed it was only then discovered that Cubana had used the aircraft as a source of spares to support their other Viscounts.

TAA officials had to assist Cubana in obtaining some of the missing parts from the UK.


Photo of South African Airways (SAA) Viscount ZS-CVB

Country of Registration South Africa

March 1962 to March 1962

South African Airways (SAA)

ZS-CVB - c/n 318 - a V.818 series Viscount
South Africa registered

March 1962
The purchase from Compania Cubana de Aviación S.A. was not completed.


Photo of Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA) Viscount VH-TVR *

Country of Registration Australia

March 1962 to June 1970

Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA)

VH-TVR * - c/n 318 - a V.818 series Viscount
Australia registered

15 March 1962
Purchased from Compania Cubana de Aviación S.A.

NOTE: Registration VH-TVR was originally allotted to Viscount C/N 435.

Delivered to Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA) 13 March 1962.
Delivered to
Trans Australia Airlines (TAA)

15 March 1962
Registered to the Australian National Airlines Commission for operation by Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA).

30 April 1962
Handed over to Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA).

Jack Ellis was contracted by TAA to ferry the aircraft to Australia and for the first leg from Havana, Cuba to Miami, Florida, USA he was instructed locally to use a Cuban Co-pilot.

After the engines were started a woman and several children were quickly put on board with some luggage. The door was closed and the co-pilot insisted that they hurry up and depart. As they lined up to take off a jeep appeared with armed guards and they indicated for the plane to stop, but the Co-pilot convinced Jack that they should continue with the takeoff.

It turned out that the Co-pilot, and his family were defecting to the USA. They left the aircraft in Miami, Florida during the first fuel stop.

24 June 1962
Arrived at Essendon Airport, Melbourne, Australia on delivery to Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA) and immediately converted to V.816 standard.

27 November 1962
Operated its first TAA revenue service named as 'John Murray'.

28 December 1969
Temporarily withdrawn from service and stored at Essendon Airport, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

circa February 1970
Noted with the No.4 Rolls-Royce Dart engine removed.

1 March 1970
Returned to service.

10 April 1970
Operated its final TAA revenue service TN1983 from Kingsford Smith Airport, Sydney, New South Wales to Essendon Airport, Melbourne, Victoria and stored.

Total time 21,213 hours and 17,447 total landings.

All the useful parts removed.
All the useful parts removed

The aircraft was scheduled to go to the Director of Civil Aviation (DCA) for use as a fire trainer but the Chairman of TAA Sir Frederick Scherger intervened and insisted that the aircraft should be preserved somewhere.

June 1970
Donated to the Australian Aircraft Restoration Group (AARG) based at the Moorabbin Air Museum which was situated at Moorabbin Airport, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.


Photo of Australian Aircraft Restoration Group (AARG) Viscount VH-TVR *

Country of Registration Australia

June 1970 to October 1978

Australian Aircraft Restoration Group (AARG)

VH-TVR * - c/n 318 - a V.818 series Viscount
Australia registered

June 1970
Donated by Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA) for preservation. The original plan was to move it to the Australian National Aviation Museum at Moorabbin Airport, Melbourne, Victoria but it could not be moved at this time due to a shortage of space so it remained stored at Essendon Airport, Melbourne, Victoria under the care of the AARG members.

late August 1970
The port wing was removed by TAA to allow them to repair the recently damaged port wing on VH-TVP (C/N 433).

The damaged port wing from VH-TVP (C/N 433) was fitted as-is and still retained its original registration underneath.

9 December 1970
TAA titles painted out.

15 December 1970
Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register.

July 1973
Noted with 'AARG' Australian Aircraft Restoration Group titles over the basic Trans Australia Airlines (TAA) livery.

29 October 1978
Transferred to the Wobbies World Children's Amusement Park, Springvale Road, Forest Hill, Nunawading which is about 30 KM from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia as there was still space limitations at the Museum site.


Photo of Wobbies World Amusement Park Viscount VH-TVR *

Country of Registration Australia

October 1978 to February 1996

Wobbies World Amusement Park

VH-TVR * - c/n 318 - a V.818 series Viscount
Australia registered

29 October 1978
Moved by road from Essendon, Melbourne, Australia on loan from the Australian Aircraft Restoration Group (AARG) to the Wobbies World Amusement Park, Springvale Road, Forest Hill, Nunawading which is about 30 KM from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The aircraft was in poor condition after 8 years in open storage and was set up as a movie-projector simulator in a childrens play area with 'Wobbies Airlines' titles.

19 February 1996
Transferred to the Australian National Aviation Museum, Moorabbin Airport, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia for restoration.


Photo of Australian National Aviation Museum Viscount VH-TVR *

Country of Registration Australia

February 1996 to

Australian National Aviation Museum

VH-TVR * - c/n 318 - a V.818 series Viscount
Australia registered

19 February 1996
Transferred from Wobbies World Children's Amusement Park and moved by road to the Australian National Aviation Museum, 12 First Street, Moorabbin Airport, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The museum building carries the name 'Moorabbin Air Museum'.

January 1997
Noted being restored with the assistance of Australian Aircraft Restoration Group (AARG) members.

The aircraft is located less than 100 metres from the Moorabbin Airport Non Directional Beacon (NDB) navigation aid and there are concerns the radiation pattern of the beacon may be affected by the high vertical stabiliser.

To avoid the risk to aircraft navigation and safety during instrument approaches the decision was made to leave the fin and tailplanes in storage until the aircraft can be relocated.

October 1998
Some parts were sent from BWA Viscount G-CSZB (C/N 248) which was broken up in the UK, to help with the restoration. Details please to information@vickersviscount.net.

8 October 2001
Port outer wing undersurface noted showing the registration VH-TVP. Details please to information@vickersviscount.net.

12 February 2015
Noted with a fully restored cabin including a set of seats from a BAe 146.

March 2018
Plans were announced that the museum would eventually move to a new site within the airport boundary and then the Viscount would get its tail refitted.


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.