08 May 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 359

Operational Record

Photo of Viscount c/n 359
Continental Airlines


United States flag United States

This V.812 series Viscount was built for
Continental Airlines as N246V

It first flew on Saturday, 12 July 1958 at Weybridge, Surrey, England powered by Rolls-Royce Dart 525 engines.


Photo of Viscount c/n 359
Channel Airways


England flag England

Its final owner/operator was
Channel Airways as G-AVHK.

Its fate:-
Final service from Lohausen Airport, Düsseldorf, West Germany to Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England and withdrawn from service by Channel Airways and stored 19 May 1970. Certificate of Airworthiness expired 21 March 1971. Channel Airways ceased all operations 29 February 1972. Scrapping commenced 19 June 1972. Remains taken away in July 1972.


Operational record
Photo of Continental Airlines Viscount N246V

Country of Registration United States

August 1958 to February 1967

Continental Airlines

N246V - c/n 359 - 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. F07/94B.

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

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

1 August 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.

13 December 1966
Sold to Channel Airways but immediately leased back for a short period.

19 February 1967
Delivered to Channel Airways still marked as N246V.


Photo of Channel Airways Viscount G-AVHK

Country of Registration United Kingdom

February 1967 to July 1972

Channel Airways

G-AVHK - c/n 359 - a V.812 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

19 February 1967
Delivered to Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England still marked as N246V.

21 February 1967
Re-registered to Channel Airways.

20 March 1967
Air tested after an overhaul and repaint in Channel livery.

22 March 1967
UK Certificate of Airworthiness issued.

The integral front 'airsteps' were not removed from this aircraft (or C/N 360 and 363), unlike others in the fleet from Continental.

22 March 1967
First service from Southend, Rochford, Essex, England to Lohausen Airport, Düsseldorf, West Germany.

Painted in Channel Airways 'Scottish Flyer' livery.
Channel Airways
'Scottish Flyer' livery

January 1969
Painted up with 'Scottish Flyer' titles to operate the Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England to Aberdeen, Scotland 'bus-stop' service via Luton Airport, Bedfordshire, East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington, Leeds / Bradford Airport, Yeadon, Yorkshire, Teesside Airport, County Durham, Woolsington Airport, Newcastle and Turnhouse Airport, Edinburgh.

20 January 1969
Operated the first 'Scottish Flyer' service returning to Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England the following day.

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

19 May 1970
Final flight from Lohausen Airport, Düsseldorf, Germany to Rochford, Southend, Essex, England and withdrawn from service and stored.

Total time 29,519 hours.

Scrapping commenced 19 June 1972.
Scrapping commenced

21 March 1971
Certificate of Airworthiness expired.

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

19 June 1972
Scrapping commenced.

July 1972
Remains taken away.


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.