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 357

Operational Record

Photo of Viscount c/n 357
Continental Airlines


United States flag United States

This V.812 series Viscount was built for
Continental Airlines as N244V

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


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


Photo of Viscount c/n 357
Alidair


England flag England

Its final owner/operator was
Alidair as G-ATUE.

Its fate:-
Final service from Jersey Airport, Channel Islands to Southend Airport, Rochford, England and withdrawn from service by Channel Airways and stored on the 28 February 1972. Channel Airways ceased all operations on the 29 February 1972.

Sold to Alidair and ferried to East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington, Leicestershire, England on the 28 May 1972 and immediately withdrawn from use and robbed of all useful spares.

Broken up into sections by Tame Valley Alloys Ltd and most of it was taken to their yard at Wilnecote near Tamworth, Staffordshire, England circa March 1977.

The forward fuselage section remained at Castle Donington as it was going to go to Tamworth for use by 1122 Squadron ATC, but this never happened and it was taken away by Tame Valley Alloys Ltd in March 1978 and subsequently scrapped.


Operational record
Photo of Continental Airlines Viscount N244V

Country of Registration United States

June 1958 to April 1966

Continental Airlines

N244V - c/n 357 - 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. F05/94B.

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

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

26 June 1958
Delivered 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.

Painted in the Continental Airlines 'Golden Tail' livery.
Continental Airlines
'Golden Tail' livery

circa 1962
Painted in the Continental Airlines 'Golden Tail' livery.

29 April 1966
Sold to Channel Airways.


Photo of Channel Airways Viscount G-ATUE

Country of Registration United Kingdom

April 1966 to May 1972

Channel Airways

G-ATUE - c/n 357 - a V.812 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

29 April 1966
Purchased from Continental Airlines and delivered to Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England via Reykjavik Airport, Iceland.

3 May 1966
Re-registered from N244V.

Channel Airways titles applied to the ex Continental Airlines livery.

The integral front 'airsteps' were removed in order to save some weight.

12 May 1966
Certificate of Airworthiness issued.

It then entered service from Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England to Middelkerke Airport, Ostend, Belgium.

14 May 1966
Noted at Biggin Hill Airfield, Kent, England on display at the annual 'Air Fair'.

10 September 1966
During a service from Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England a heavy nose first landing on runway 06 at Son Sant Joan Airport, Palma, Mallorca, Spain occurred due to a momentary loss of vision caused by localised mist.

This resulted in a collapse of the nose undercarriage leg, curled inner propellers and shockoaded Rolls-Royce Dart engines.

There were no reported injuries to the 73 passengers and 4 crew on board.

24 October 1966
Returned to Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England after local repairs.

28 November 1966
Re-entered service from Southend, Rochford, Essex, England to Middelkerke Airport, Ostend, Belgium.

31 December 1966
Proposed lease to Treffield International Airlines not taken up. Was the aircraft painted in Treffield International Airlines livery?
Details please to information@vickersviscount.net

circa February 1969
Noted at Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England with a fresh repaint of the Channel Airways livery.

27 January 1970
Noted at Middelkirke Airport, Ostend, Belgium on a crew training flight.

17 June 1971
Noted at Middelkirke Airport, Ostend, Belgium on a training flight.

28 February 1972
Final service from Jersey Airport, Channel Islands to Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England and withdrawn from service and stored.

Total time 28,896 hours.

29 February 1972
Channel Airways ceased all operations due to financial problems.

28 May 1972
Sold to Alidair.


Photo of Alidair Viscount G-ATUE

Country of Registration United Kingdom

May 1972 to March 1978

Alidair

G-ATUE - c/n 357 - a V.812 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

28 May 1972
Purchased from Channel Airways and ferried to East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington, Leicestershire, England.

This aircraft was immediately stored and gradually robbed of all useful spares.

22 November 1972
Registration cancelled as aircraft permanently withdrawn from use.

circa March 1977
Broken up into sections by Tame Valley Alloys Ltd and most of it was taken to their yard at Wilnecote near Tamworth, Staffordshire, England.

The forward fuselage section remained at Castle Donington as it was going to go to Tamworth for use by 1122 Squadron ATC, but this never happened.

July 1977
Forward fuselage section noted in a more accessible area at Castle Donington.

March 1978
Forward fuselage section taken to the Tame Valley Alloys Ltd yard and subsequently scrapped.


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.


Click here for more details about the Vickers Viscount Network

This website has been designed, built and is maintained by Geoff Blampied, Norwich, Norfolk, England.