23 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 325

Operational Record

Photo of Viscount c/n 325
Linee Aeree Italiane (LAI)


Italy flag Italy

This V.785D series Viscount was built for
Linee Aeree Italiane (LAI) as I-LIFE

It first flew on Tuesday, 12 March 1957 at Hurn, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England powered by Rolls-Royce Dart 510 engines.


During its life this aircraft was also owned and/or operated by
Alitalia


Photo of Viscount c/n 325
Somali Airlines


Somalia flag Somalia

Its final owner/operator was
Somali Airlines as 6O-SAK.

Its fate:-
Withdrawn from service by Somali Airlines and stored at Hargeisa Airport, Somalia, Africa in June 1977.

Noted lying on its belly minus engines in November 1979. Subsequently broken up for scrap.


Operational record
Photo of Linee Aeree Italiane (LAI) Viscount I-LIFE

Country of Registration Italy

March 1957 to October 1957

Linee Aeree Italiane (LAI)

I-LIFE - c/n 325 - a V.785D series Viscount
Italy registered

May 1956
An order for ten Type 785D was placed by Linee Aeree Italiane (LAI).

Only the first six were delivered to them before the merger with Alitalia, with the remaining four delivered afterwards.

12 March 1957
First flight from Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.

It was painted in a non-standard LAI livery which was changed before delivery.

A contemporary photograph of it in this livery appeared in 'Flight' magazine.

27 March 1957
Delivered to Linee Aeree Italiane (LAI).

1 October 1957
Transferred to Alitalia due to a corporate merger.


Photo of Alitalia Viscount I-LIFE

Country of Registration Italy

October 1957 to June 1969

Alitalia

I-LIFE - c/n 325 - a V.785D series Viscount
Italy registered

1 October 1957
Transferred from Linee Aeree Italiane (LAI) due to a corporate merger.

David Carter illustration of Alitalia Viscount I-LIFE

Viscount illustrations by David Carter


3 September 1961
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England due to a London Airport (Heathrow) weather diversion.

Painted in the Alitalia ‘Flag Tail‘ livery.
Alitalia
‘Flag Tail‘ livery

circa 1962
Painted in the Alitalia ‘Flag Tail‘ livery.

Overran the runway at Alghero, Italy.
Overran the runway
at Alghero, Italy

1 August 1963
Overran the runway at Alghero-Riviera del Corallo Airport, Sardinia, Italy with the nose running down a steep slope of long grass resulting in curled propeller blades and shockloaded Rolls-Royce Dart engines.

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

Repaired and returned to service.

1 March 1969
Noted at Heathrow Airport, London, England.

It had arrived to undergo an overhaul with the Hunting Group, in preparation for the sale to Somali Airlines.

19 May 1969
Sold to Somali Airlines.


Photo of Somali Airlines Viscount 6OS-AAK

Country of Registration Somalia

June 1969 to June 1969

Somali Airlines

6OS-AAK - c/n 325 - a V.785D series Viscount
Somalia registered

19 May 1969
Purchased from Alitalia.

1 June 1969
Re-registered 6O-SAK

Somali Airlines was the flag carrier of Somalia and was established on 5 March 1964 by the then civilian government and Alitalia. Each owned an equal share in the company that offered flights to both domestic and international destinations. This version of the airline discontinued operations after the start of the civil war in the early 1990s.


Photo of Somali Airlines Viscount 6O-SAK

Country of Registration Somalia

June 1969 to June 1977

Somali Airlines

6O-SAK - c/n 325 - a V.785D series Viscount
Somalia registered

1 June 1969
Re-registered from 6OS-AAK.

Painted in the Somali Airlines ‘S Tail‘ livery.
Somali Airlines
‘S Tail‘ livery

Early 1970s
Painted in the Somali Airlines ‘S Tail‘ livery.

David Carter illustration of Somali Airlines Viscount 6O-SAK

Viscount illustrations by David Carter


Painted in the Somali Airlines ‘Swept Tail‘ livery.
Somali Airlines
‘Swept Tail‘ livery

Mid 1970s
Painted in the Somali Airlines ‘Swept Tail‘ livery.

June 1977
Withdrawn from service and stored at Hargeisa Airport, Somalia, Africa.

November 1979
Noted lying on its belly minus engines.

Broken up for scrap. The actual date is not known. Details please to information@vickersviscount.net

Somali Airlines was the flag carrier of Somalia and was established on the 5 March 1964 by the country's then civilian government and Alitalia. Each owned an equal share in the company that offered flights to both domestic and international destinations. This version of the airline discontinued operations after the start of the country's civil war in the early 1990s.


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.