19 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.

Viscount history


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

Viscount c/n 356

Operational Record

Photo of Viscount c/n 356
Continental Airlines


United States flag United States

This V.812 series Viscount was built for
Continental Airlines as N242V

It first flew on Tuesday, 6 May 1958 at Weybridge, Surrey, England powered by Rolls-Royce Dart 525 engines.


During its life this aircraft was also owned and/or operated by
Capital Airlines (USA)


Photo of Viscount c/n 356
Continental Airlines


United States flag United States

Its final owner/operator was
Continental Airlines as N242V.

Its fate:-
Destroyed by fire after overshooting runway 18 at Kansas City Municipal Airport, Missouri, USA 29 January 1963 following a low level approach and crashed into a wooded river embankment. The accident was determined to have been caused by horizontal stabiliser / elevator icing resulting in a pitch down condition with a lack of control. The weather at the time was sub-zero with snow showers.


Operational record
Photo of Continental Airlines Viscount N242V

Country of Registration United States

May 1958 to December 1958

Continental Airlines

N242V - c/n 356 - a V.812 series Viscount
United States registered

December 1955
Continental Airlines placed an order for fifteen Type 812 aircraft, which were to be marketed by Continental as the 'Viscount II'.

Sales Order No. F04/94B.

6 May 1958
First flight from Brooklands Airfield, Weybridge, Surrey, England.

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

23 May 1958
Departed from Blackbushe Airport, Hampshire, England on delivery to Continental Airlines fitted with integral front 'airsteps'.

The plush first class cabin, designed by Charles Butler & Associates was laid out in two plus two configuration with a capacity for 52 passengers, who enjoyed a sumptious meal en-route. A lounge area at the rear allowed for four people to sit on two curved side couches when the aircraft was cruising. A small window was added on each side.

December 1958
Leased to Capital Airlines.


Photo of Capital Airlines (USA) Viscount N242V

Country of Registration United States

December 1958 to March 1959

Capital Airlines (USA)

N242V - c/n 356 - a V.812 series Viscount
United States registered

December 1958
Leased from Continental Airlines to cover the busy Christmas and New Year schedules.

March 1959
Returned to Continental Airlines.


Photo of Continental Airlines Viscount N242V

Country of Registration United States

March 1959 to January 1963

Continental Airlines

N242V - c/n 356 - a V.812 series Viscount
United States registered

March 1959
Returned from Capital Airlines lease.

29 January 1963
Destroyed by fire after overshooting runway 18 at Kansas City Municipal Airport, Missouri, USA.

At 22:44 CST on a service from Midland, Texas the crew elected to go-around after an aborted landing in sub-zero temperatures with snow showers.

The aircraft was then observed flying at about 90 feet and towards the far end of the runway it suddenly dipped nose down and crashed into a wooded river embankment.

The accident was determined to have been caused by horizontal stabiliser / elevator icing resulting in a pitch down condition with a lack of control.

Post accident investigations found that the anti-icing switch was in the off position.

All 5 passengers and 3 crew sadly died in the accident.

Total time 12,860 hours.


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.