25 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 358

Operational Record

Photo of Viscount c/n 358
Continental Airlines


United States flag United States

This V.812 series Viscount was built for
Continental Airlines as N245V

It first flew on Tuesday, 1 July 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, Alidair, British Air Ferries (BAF), Dan-Air London, Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation (FAT) and Bouraq Indonesia Airlines


Photo of Viscount c/n 358
Asia Aviation Services


Indonesia flag Indonesia

Its final owner/operator was
Asia Aviation Services as B-2031.

Its fate:-
Purchased by Asia Aviation Services from Far Eastern Air Transport (FAT) in February 1983 but did not go into service with them. Stored at Kaoshiung Airport, Gaoxiong, Taiwan. Broken up for scrap circa 1984.


Operational record
Photo of Continental Airlines Viscount N245V

Country of Registration United States

July 1958 to March 1967

Continental Airlines

N245V - c/n 358 - 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. F06/94B.

1 July 1958
First flight from Brooklands Airfield, Weybridge, Surrey, England.

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

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

8 July 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.

Mid 1960s
Painted in the new Continental Airlines livery.

March 1967
Sold to Channel Airways.


Photo of Channel Airways Viscount G-AVIW

Country of Registration United Kingdom

March 1967 to May 1972

Channel Airways

G-AVIW - c/n 358 - a V.812 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

March 1967
Purchased from Continental Airlines.

16 March 1967
Delivered to Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England still marked as N245V.

17 March 1967
Re-registered G-AVIW for Channel Airways.

31 March 1967
Certificate of Airworthiness issued.

The integral front 'airsteps' were removed from this aircraft to save weight.

Proposed sale to Treffield International Airways not completed as they went into liquidation.

1 April 1967
First service from Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England to Beauvais Airport, France.

10 April 1967
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England due to a Southend Airport weather diversion. The passengers were transferred to Southend by coach.

21 March 1970
Noted at Middelkirke Airport, Ostend, Belgium on a training flight.

24 March 1970
Noted at Middelkirke Airport, Ostend, Belgium on a training flight.

8 April 1970
Noted at Middelkirke Airport, Ostend, Belgium on a training flight.

28 September 1970
Noted at Middelkirke Airport, Ostend, Belgium on a training flight.

29 September 1970
Noted at Middelkirke Airport, Ostend, Belgium on a training flight.

30 September 1970
Noted at Middelkirke Airport, Ostend, Belgium on a training flight.

28 November 1970
Operated the final 'Scottish Flyer' service to Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England.

3 February 1971
Noted at Middelkirke Airport, Ostend, Belgium on a training flight.

30 April 1971
Noted at Middelkirke Airport, Ostend, Belgium on a training flight.

6 February 1972
Final service from Jersey Airport, Channel Islands to Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England. It was then stored.

Total time 29,987 hours.

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

27 May 1972
Sold to Alidair.


Photo of Alidair Viscount G-AVIW

Country of Registration United Kingdom

May 1972 to April 1973

Alidair

G-AVIW - c/n 358 - a V.812 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

27 May 1972
Purchased from Channel Airways and ferried to East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington, Leicestershire, England from Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England.

Rolled out at East Midlands Airport, Leicestershire, England in full Alidair livery.
The completed
Alidair livery

13 June 1972
Registered to Alidair.

17 August 1972
Rolled out at East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington, Leicestershire, England in full Alidair livery.

9 September 1972
Entered service with Alidair.

8 April 1973
Leased to British Air Ferries (BAF).


Photo of British Air Ferries (BAF) Viscount G-AVIW

Country of Registration United Kingdom

April 1973 to October 1973

British Air Ferries (BAF)

G-AVIW - c/n 358 - a V.812 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

8 April 1973
Leased from Alidair in Alidair livery with British Air Ferries (BAF) titles and tail logo.

12 October 1973
Returned to Alidair.


Photo of Alidair Viscount G-AVIW

Country of Registration United Kingdom

October 1973 to July 1974

Alidair

G-AVIW - c/n 358 - a V.812 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

12 October 1973
Returned from British Air Ferries (BAF) lease to East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington, Leicestershire, England.

15 July 1974
Leased to Dan-Air London.


Photo of Dan-Air London Viscount G-AVIW

Country of Registration United Kingdom

July 1974 to July 1974

Dan-Air London

G-AVIW - c/n 358 - a V.812 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

15 July 1974
Leased from Alidair.

17 July 1974
Returned to Alidair.


Photo of Alidair Viscount G-AVIW

Country of Registration United Kingdom

July 1974 to October 1974

Alidair

G-AVIW - c/n 358 - a V.812 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

17 July 1974
Returned from Dan-Air London lease to East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington, Leicestershire, England.

2 October 1974
Leased back to Dan-Air London.


Photo of Dan-Air London Viscount G-AVIW

Country of Registration United Kingdom

October 1974 to October 1974

Dan-Air London

G-AVIW - c/n 358 - a V.812 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

2 October 1974
Leased again from Alidair.

3 October 1974
Returned to Alidair.


Photo of Alidair Viscount G-AVIW

Country of Registration United Kingdom

October 1974 to January 1975

Alidair

G-AVIW - c/n 358 - a V.812 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

3 October 1974
Returned from Dan-Air London lease to East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington, Leicestershire, England.

January 1975
Sold to Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation (FAT).


Photo of Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation (FAT) Viscount B-2031

Country of Registration Taiwan

January 1975 to March 1980

Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation (FAT)

B-2031 - c/n 358 - a V.812 series Viscount
Taiwan registered

January 1975
Purchased from Alidair.

27 January 1975
Delivered to Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation (FAT).

31 January 1975
UK registration cancelled as aircraft sold abroad.

4 February 1975
Registered as B-2031 for Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation (FAT).

Registered address: - No.36 Kuan Chien Road, Taipei, Taiwan.

16 December 1976
Total time 35,170:56 hours and 40,837 total landings.

8 April 1977
Total time 35,534:34 hours and 41,355 total landings.

7 January 1980
Total time 39,270:00 hours and 45,637 total landings.

March 1980
Leased to Bouraq Indonesia Airlines.


Photo of Bouraq Indonesia Airlines Viscount PK-IVR

Country of Registration Indonesia

March 1980 to February 1983

Bouraq Indonesia Airlines

PK-IVR - c/n 358 - a V.812 series Viscount
Indonesia registered

March 1980
Leased from Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation (FAT).

2 November 1980
Total time 39,831:03 hours and 46,302 total landings.

February 1983
Returned to Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation (FAT).


Photo of Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation (FAT) Viscount B-2031

Country of Registration Taiwan

February 1983 to February 1983

Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation (FAT)

B-2031 - c/n 358 - a V.812 series Viscount
Taiwan registered

February 1983
Returned from Bouraq Indonesia Airlines lease.

February 1983
Sold to Asia Aviation Services.


Photo of Asia Aviation Services Viscount B-2031

Country of Registration Indonesia

February 1983 to

Asia Aviation Services

B-2031 - c/n 358 - a V.812 series Viscount
Indonesia registered

February 1983
Purchased from Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation (FAT) but did not enter service with them.

1984
Noted stored at Kaoshiung Airport, Gaoxiong, Taiwan.

circa 1984
Broken up for scrap. The actual date is not known. Details please to information@vickersviscount.net


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.