19 April 2024
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Established 2005
Vickers Viscount Network
A Virtual Museum dedicated to the Vickers-Armstrongs VC2 Viscount
   

Viscount c/n 361

Operational Record

Photo of Viscount c/n 361
Continental Airlines


United States flag United States

This V.812 series Viscount was built for
Continental Airlines as N249V

It first flew on Wednesday, 10 September 1958 at Weybridge, Surrey, England powered by Rolls-Royce Dart 525 engines.


During its life this aircraft was also owned and/or operated by
Air Ferry Ltd and British Midland Airways (BMA)


Photo of Viscount c/n 361
Channel Airways


England flag England

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

Its fate:-
Final service from Jersey Airport, Channel Islands to Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England and stored 23 October 1969.

Certificate of Airworthiness expired 8 June 1970.

Channel Airways ceased all operations 29 February 1972.

Broken up for scrap in July 1972.

The forward fuselage section was noted in August 1972 neatly cut off, which implies that it was intended to be preserved somewhere, but we can find no evidence that it survived.

Registration cancelled as aircraft permanently withdrawn from use 22 November 1972.


Operational record
Photo of Continental Airlines Viscount N249V

Country of Registration United States

October 1958 to May 1967

Continental Airlines

N249V - c/n 361 - 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'.

Production Aircraft No. 72 - the 72nd production 800 series Viscount built,
was the 22nd 800 series Viscount fuselage assembled at Weybridge, Surrey, England,
and the 72nd 800 series Viscount assembled at Weybridge, Surrey, England.

Production Order No. F09/812. Sales Order No. F09/94B. Stock Order No. F11/35B.

7 October 1957
Fuselage assembly commenced at Weybridge, Surrey, England.

6 February 1958
Fuselage to Erecting Shop 'E' at Weybridge, Surrey, England.

10 September 1958
First flight from Brooklands Airfield, Weybridge, Surrey, England.

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

2 October 1958
Handed over to Continental Airlines fitted with weather radar and 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.

3 October 1958
Noted at Blackbushe Airport, Hampshire, England before moving on to Prestwick Airport, Ayrshire, Scotland during its delivery to the USA.

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

19 April 1959
During the takeoff run at Albequerque Airport, New Mexio, USA and just before the V1 decision speed was reached both the nosewheel tyres burst. The takeoff was aborted but the nose undercarriage leg then collapsed resulting in curled propellers and shockload damage to the Rolls-Royce Dart engines.

There were no reported injuries to the 31 passengers and 3 crew on board.

Repaired, including replacement Rotol propellers and Rolls-Royce Dart engines and returned to service.

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

20 May 1967
Sold to Channel Airways.


Photo of Channel Airways Viscount G-AVNJ

Country of Registration United Kingdom

May 1967 to January 1968

Channel Airways

G-AVNJ - c/n 361 - a V.812 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

20 May 1967
Purchased from Continental Airlines.

25 May 1967
Arrived at Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England on delivery still carrying its US registration.

26 May 1967
Re-registered to Channel Airways.

9 June 1967
UK Certificate of Airworthiness issued.

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

12 June 1967
Entered service from Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England to Middelkerke Airport, Ostend, Belgium.

10 January 1968
Leased to Air Ferry Ltd.


Photo of Air Ferry Ltd Viscount G-AVNJ

Country of Registration United Kingdom

January 1968 to November 1968

Air Ferry Ltd

G-AVNJ - c/n 361 - a V.812 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

10 January 1968
Leased from Channel Airways and ferried from Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England to Manston Airport, Kent, England by Captain Peter Lockwood.

At this time it was still in the Channel Airways livery less titles.

26 January 1968
Ferried from Manston Airport, Kent, England to Middelkirke Airport, Ostend, Belgium, where crew training flights were carried out, still in the basic Channel Airways livery.

February 1968
Entered the Air Ferry maintenance facility at Manston Airport, Kent for repainting in their livery.

Before entering service it was configured with an 83 seat cabin and used on general charter work, Inclusive Tour (IT) flights and B.O.A.R. (British Army of the Rhine) trooping contracts between the UK and West Germany.

22 March 1968
Ferried from Manston Airport, Kent, England to Le Bourget Airport, Paris, France.

Over the next three days it operated two charter flights to Cointrin Airport, Geneva, Switzerland and four to Rhoose Airport, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales.

23 March 1968
Entered revenue service from Le Bourget Airport, Paris, France to Rhoose Airport, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales.

22 August 1968
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England due to a Manston Airport weather diversion.

27 October 1968
After completing a final service Air Ferry ceased operating due to changes within the parent company of Air Holdings.

This aircraft flew 1093:45 hours during its operation with Air Ferry and carried 27,421 passengers.

6 November 1968
Returned to Channel Airways at Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England flown by Captain Adams.


Photo of Channel Airways Viscount G-AVNJ

Country of Registration United Kingdom

November 1968 to May 1969

Channel Airways

G-AVNJ - c/n 361 - a V.812 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

6 November 1968
Returned from Air Ferry Ltd lease to Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England.

1 April 1969
Re-entered service with Channel Airways.

1 May 1969
Leased to British Midland Airways (BMA) in full Channel Airways livery.


Photo of British Midland Airways (BMA) Viscount G-AVNJ

Country of Registration United Kingdom

May 1969 to June 1969

British Midland Airways (BMA)

G-AVNJ - c/n 361 - a V.812 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

1 May 1969
Leased from Channel Airways in full Channel Airways livery.

1 June 1969
Returned to Channel Airways.


Photo of Channel Airways Viscount G-AVNJ

Country of Registration United Kingdom

June 1969 to June 1972

Channel Airways

G-AVNJ - c/n 361 - a V.812 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

1 June 1969
Returned from British Midland Airways (BMA) lease and re-entered service.

23 October 1969
Final service from Jersey Airport, Channel Islands to Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England and stored.

Total time 28,834 hours and 31,579 total landings.

8 June 1970
Certificate of Airworthiness expired.

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

July 1972
Scrapping commenced.

22 August 1972
The forward fuselage section was noted neatly cut off, which implies that it was intended to be preserved somewhere.

No record of it surviving has ever been found.

The forward fuselage of G-ATVE (C/N 366) was cut off in a similar manner at the same time and donated to the local Historic

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


Photo of BEA - British European Airways Viscount G-AOJC

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