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 389

Operational Record

Photo of Viscount c/n 389
Continental Airlines


United States flag United States

This V.812 series Viscount was built for
Continental Airlines as N247V

It first flew on Wednesday, 23 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 and Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation (FAT)


Photo of Viscount c/n 389
Mandala Airlines


Indonesia flag Indonesia

Its final owner/operator was
Mandala Airlines as PK-RVW.

Its fate:-
During an approach to Achmad Yani International Airport, Semarang, Java, Indonesia 7 October 1983 the aircraft touched down just short of the runway. Although the aircraft continued on to the runway the nose undercarriage leg and steering system were damaged by the concrete edge of the runway which prevented the crew from taxiing off to the ramp area.

After the aircraft was towed to the ramp subsequent inspections discovered extensive damage to the fuselage where the nose leg was mounted which had been pushed rearwards.

The pilot could not explain why the aircraft suddenly started to sink as he approached the runway threshold as the weather was calm and the visibility was good.

After temporary repairs were carried out the aircraft was ferried to Kemayoran Airport, Jarkarta, Indonesia where it was declared as beyond economic repair and withdrawn from service. Broken up for scrap after spares recovery circa September 1985.


Operational record
Photo of Continental Airlines Viscount N247V

Country of Registration United States

August 1958 to April 1967

Continental Airlines

N247V - c/n 389 - 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. F15/94B.

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

It landed at Blackbushe Airport, Hampshire, England before departing to Wisley Airfield, Surrey, England for fitting out and test flying.

29 July 1958
Local test flight from Wisley Airfield, Surrey, England with Captain W D Jarvis and John W Charles Judge which lasted for 20 minutes.

20 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.

9 April 1967
Sold to Channel Airways.


Photo of Channel Airways Viscount G-AVJL

Country of Registration United Kingdom

April 1967 to June 1972

Channel Airways

G-AVJL - c/n 389 - a V.812 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

9 April 1967
Purchased from Continental Airlines and ferried to Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England as N247V.

11 April 1967
Registered to Channel Airways.

21 April 1967
UK certificate of airworthiness issued.

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

23 April 1967
Entered service from Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England to Zestienhoven Airport, Rotterdam. Netherlands.

15 August 1967
The port main undercarriage wheels were damaged during a heavy night landing on runway 16 at Mulhouse Airport, Basel, Alsace Region, France.

One of the port tyres burst and two inner wheel rims fell off. The aircraft came to a halt on the runway.

There were no reported injuries to the 79 passengers and 4 crew on board.

2 September 1967
Ferried back to Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England after repairs.

28 May 1968
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England due to a Southend Airport weather diversion. The passengers were transferred to Southend by coach.

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

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

29 February 1972
Final service from Zestienhoven Airport, Rotterdam, Netherlands to Southend Airport, Rochford, Essex, England. Channel Airways ceased all operations due to financial problems on the same day and the aircraft was stored.

Total time 31,392 hours

3 June 1972
Sold to Alidair and ferried to East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington, Leicestershire. England.


Photo of Alidair Viscount G-AVJL

Country of Registration United Kingdom

June 1972 to April 1975

Alidair

G-AVJL - c/n 389 - a V.812 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

3 June 1972
Purchased from Channel Airways and ferried to East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington, Leicestershire, England for overhaul.

13 June 1972
Registered to Alidair.

16 November 1972
Entered service from East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington, Leicestershire. England

20 September 1974
Chartered to Dan-Air Services for one day only.

20 April 1975
Final Alidair service.

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

16 May 1975
UK registration cancelled as the aircraft had been exported.


Photo of Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation (FAT) Viscount B-2033

Country of Registration Taiwan

April 1975 to January 1980

Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation (FAT)

B-2033 - c/n 389 - a V.812 series Viscount
Taiwan registered

25 April 1975
Purchased from Alidair.

30 April 1975
Delivered to Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation (FAT) at Songshan Airport, Taipei, Taiwan.

25 May 1975
Registered as B-2033 for Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation (FAT).

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

8 June 1975
Total time 34,443:18 hours and 37,631 total landings.

10 September 1976
Total time 36,421:11 hours and 40,377 total landings.

6 May 1977
Total time 37,439:31 hours and 41,839 total landings.

21 November 1979
Total time 41,165:31 hours and 46,179 total landings.

1 January 1980
Leased to Mandala Airlines.

7 January 1980
Taiwan registration cancelled.


Photo of Mandala Airlines Viscount PK-RVW

Country of Registration Indonesia

January 1980 to September 1985

Mandala Airlines

PK-RVW - c/n 389 - a V.812 series Viscount
Indonesia registered

1 January 1980
Leased from Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation (FAT) and named as 'Akasha'.

18 January 1980
Total time 41,374:33 hours and 46,469 total landings.

21 July 1980
Total time 42,135:22 hours.

30 September 1981
Total time 43,802:10 hours.

20 January 1982
Total time 44,160:18 hours and 48,090 total landings.

10 October 1982
Total time 45,071:32 hours and 48,600 total landings.

26 January 1983
Total time 45,481:04 hours and 48,834 total landings.

7 October 1983
During an approach to Achmad Yani International Airport, Semarang, Java, Indonesia the aircraft touched down just short of the runway. Although the aircraft continued on to the runway the nose undercarriage leg and steering system were damaged by the concrete edge of the runway which prevented the crew from taxiing off to the ramp area.

After the aircraft was towed to the ramp subsequent inspections discovered extensive damage to the fuselage where the nose leg was mounted which had been pushed rearwards. The pilot could not explain why the aircraft suddenly started to sink as he approached the runway threshold as the weather was calm and the visibility good.

Total time 46,404:25 hours and 49,447 total landings.

After temporary repairs were carried out the aircraft was ferried to Kemayoran Airport, Jakarta, Java, Indonesia where it was declared as beyond economic repair and withdrawn from service.

circa September 1985
Broken up for scrap after spares recovery. The actual date is not yet known.
Details please to information@vickersviscount.net


Photo of BEA - British European Airways Viscount G-AOJC

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