15 January 2025
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Viscount Survivors

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

Letter from HRH Prince Philip

See and hear a Viscount

Newsletters

Flight Magazine Reports

Aircraft operational
records and photos

Viscount illustrations
by David Carter


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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Our 'Live Magazine' is used by members and non-members to share their Viscount photos and stories with fellow enthusiasts located throughout the world in real time.

You are able to send in your photos, stories and comments by Facebook, Twitter or email and we will post them for all to enjoy.

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Featured pages

Our website contains over 20,000 pages of photos and information that can all be accessed from the menu at the top of every page. Here are a few to get you started.


In the Beginning

The Turboprop World-Beater

Sir George Edwards

The Rolls-Royce Dart

c/n 1 G-AHRF V.630
The Prototype Viscount

c/n 2 VX217 V.663
The Tay powered Viscount

c/n 3 G-AMAV V.700
The V.700 series prototype

c/n 4 G-ALWE V.701
The first BEA Viscount

c/n 5 G-ALWF V.701
The oldest surviving Viscount

c/n 8 F-BGNK V.708
The first Air France Viscount

c/n 30 EI-AFV V.707
The first Aer Lingus Viscount

c/n 40 CF-TGI V.724
The first TCA Viscount

c/n 44 VH-TVA V.720
The first TAA Viscount

c/n 67 YI-ACK V.735
The first Iraqi Airways Viscount

c/n 70 CF-GXK V.737
The first Canadian DoT Viscount

c/n 71 VP-TBK V.702
The first BOAC Associated
Companies Viscount

c/n 74 G-ANRR V.732
The first Hunting-Clan Viscount

c/n 77 LN-FOF V.736
The first Fred Olsen Viscount

c/n 79 IU-683 V.723
The first Indian Air Force Viscount

c/n 88 N7402 V.744
The first Capital Airlines Viscount

c/n 97 VH-BAT V.747
The first Butler Air
Transport Viscount


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

Viscount c/n 365

Operational Record

Photo of Viscount c/n 365
Continental Airlines


United States flag United States

This V.812 series Viscount was built for
Continental Airlines as N253V

It first flew on Saturday, 6 December 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 and Treffield International Airlines

Photo of Viscount c/n 365
Stansted Airport Fire School


England flag England

Its final owner/operator was
Stansted Airport Fire School as G-ATVR.

Its fate:-
Final service from Jersey Airport, Channel Islands to Stansted Airport, Essex via Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England and withdrawn from service by Channel Airways and stored 30 September 1971. Channel Airways ceased all operations 29 February 1972. Transferred to the Stansted Fire School July 1972. Noted on its belly circa September 1973, with the rear fuselage section chopped off circa October 1974 and with hacked out cockpit windows and fuselage panels in August 1979. Remains finally broken up for scrap in May 1980.


Operational record
Photo of Continental Airlines Viscount N253V

Country of Registration United States

March 1959 to June 1966

Continental Airlines

N253V - c/n 365 - 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. F13/94B.

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

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

February 1959
Noted in open storage at Weybridge, Surrey, England.

23 March 1959
Handed over 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.

4 April 1959
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England carrying out a single ILS approach and overshoot.

11 May 1961
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England carrying out a single ILS approach and overshoot.

31 May 1966
Total time 20,863:00 hours.

2 June 1966
Sold to Channel Airways.


Photo of Channel Airways Viscount G-ATVR

Country of Registration United Kingdom

June 1966 to April 1967

Channel Airways

G-ATVR - c/n 365 - a V.812 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

2 June 1966
Purchased from Continental Airlines and delivered to Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England registered as N253V.

June 1966
Re-registered to Channel Airways.

10 June 1966
Certificate of Airworthiness issued and air to air photography undertaken with de Havilland Dove G-ANVU.

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

11 June 1966
Entered service from Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England to Perpignan Airport, France.

February 1967
Offered on lease to Treffield International Airlines subject to them obtaining their own Air Operating Certificate (AOC).

12 February 1967
Flew to Rhoose Airport, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales to promote Hourmont Holidays together with G-ATVE, returning to Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England the same day to continue flying on behalf of Channel Airways due to a delay in Treffield International Airlines obtaining its AOC approval.

27 April 1967
Leased to Treffield International Airlines.


Photo of Treffield International Airlines Viscount G-ATVR

Country of Registration United Kingdom

April 1967 to June 1967

Treffield International Airlines

G-ATVR - c/n 365 - a V.812 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

27 April 1967
Leased from Channel Airways and delivered to Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England in full Treffield International Airlines livery, initially without fuselage titles.

The company name is derived from Lord TREFgarne and Charles MaseFIELD.

27 April 1967
Operated the first Treffield International Airlines service from Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England to John O'Groats Airport, Wick, Scotland.

4 June 1967
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England due to a Lulsgate Airport, Bristol weather diversion. The passengers were transferred to Bristol by coach.

21 June 1967
Operated its last service for Treffield International Airlines from Speke Airport, Liverpool, England to Valencia Airport, Spain and return.

24 June 1967
Returned to Channel Airways.


Photo of Channel Airways Viscount G-ATVR

Country of Registration United Kingdom

June 1967 to July 1972

Channel Airways

G-ATVR - c/n 365 - a V.812 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

24 June 1967
Returned from Treffield International Airlines lease to Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England.

24 June 1967
Re-entered service for Channel Airways from Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England to Rimini Airport, Italy in Treffield livery with titles removed.

Re-painted in full Channel Airways livery.

30 September 1968
Total time 23,993:27 hours.

19 June 1969
Total time 24,570:00 hours.

30 September 1971
Final service from Jersey Airport, Channel Islands to Stansted Airport, Essex via Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England and withdrawn from service and stored.

Total time 27,123 hours.

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

July 1972
Transferred to the Stansted Airport Fire School.


Photo of Stansted Airport Fire School Viscount G-ATVR

Country of Registration United Kingdom

July 1972 to May 1980

Stansted Airport Fire School

G-ATVR - c/n 365 - a V.812 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

July 1972
Transferred from Channel Airways for training use.

circa September 1973
Noted on its belly minus rudder and tailplanes.

circa October 1974
Noted minus its rear fuselage setion and tail.

August 1979
Noted with hacked out cockpit windows and fuselage panels.

May 1980
Remains finally broken up for scrap.


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.