26 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 439

Operational Record

Photo of Viscount c/n 439
Austrian Airlines (AUA)


Austria flag Austria

This V.837 series Viscount was built for
Austrian Airlines (AUA) as OE-LAH

It first flew on Thursday, 25 February 1960 at Weybridge, Surrey, England powered by Rolls-Royce Dart 525 engines.


During its life this aircraft was also owned and/or operated by
Shackleton Aviation Ltd


Photo of Viscount c/n 439
Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation (FAT)


Taiwan flag Taiwan

Its final owner/operator was
Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation (FAT) as B-2029.

Its fate:-
Stalled and crashed onto the runway at Songshan Airport, Taipei, Taiwan during a heavy rain storm 31 July 1975. Nowadays it would probably be attributed to a condition known as 'windshear'. Of the 5 crew and 70 passengers on board, 27 were sadly killed. Flight number 134 was arriving from Hualien, North East Taiwan.


Operational record
Photo of Austrian Airlines (AUA) Viscount OE-LAH

Country of Registration Austria

March 1960 to October 1971

Austrian Airlines (AUA)

OE-LAH - c/n 439 - a V.837 series Viscount
Austria registered

25 February 1960
First flight from Brooklands Airfield, Weybridge, Surrey, England as a Type 837. Some reports quote 23 February 1960.

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

2 March 1960
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England carrying out a single ILS approach and overshoot.

14 March 1960
Departed from Wisley Airfield, Surrey, England to London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England on delivery to AUA.

It was fitted with integral front 'airsteps' and extended range 'slipper' fuel tanks.

15 March 1960
Noted at Blackbushe Airport, Hampshire, England carrying out multiple ILS approaches and overshoots.

Named as 'Anton Bruckner' after its arrival in Austria.

The name was painted on the forward cabin door.

4 December 1962
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England due to a London Airport (Heathrow) weather diversion.

circa 1963
Re-named as 'Franz Schubert' and the name was repositioned on the lower forward fuselage after the introduction of a revised livery.

3 June 1966
During a landing at W A Mozart Airport, Maxglan, Salzburg, Austria the nose undercarriage leg collapsed resulting in curled propeller blades and shockloaded Rolls-Royce Dart engines.

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

Repaired and returned to service.

26 September 1971
Noted at Baginton Airport, Coventry, Warwickshire, England in basic AUA livery less titles.

5 October 1971
Sold to Shackleton Aviation Ltd.


Photo of Shackleton Aviation Ltd Viscount OE-LAH

Country of Registration Austria

October 1971 to March 1972

Shackleton Aviation Ltd

OE-LAH - c/n 439 - a V.837 series Viscount
Austria registered

5 October 1971
Purchased from Austrian Airlines (AUA).

February 1972
Noted with the extended range 'slipper' fuel tanks now removed.

7 March 1972
Re-registered G-AZOV.


Photo of Shackleton Aviation Ltd Viscount G-AZOV

Country of Registration United Kingdom

March 1972 to December 1972

Shackleton Aviation Ltd

G-AZOV - c/n 439 - a V.837 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

7 March 1972
Re-registered from OE-LAH.

Sale / lease to Air International was not completed.

5 December 1972
Sold to Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation (FAT).


Photo of Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation (FAT) Viscount B-2029

Country of Registration Taiwan

December 1972 to July 1975

Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation (FAT)

B-2029 - c/n 439 - a V.837 series Viscount
Taiwan registered

5 December 1972
Purchased from Shackleton Aviation Ltd.

12 December 1972
Arrived at Taipei, Taiwan on delivery.

13 December 1972
UK registration cancelled as aircraft exported.

16 December 1972
Registered as B-2029 for Far Eastern Air Transport Corporation (FAT).

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

28 January 1974
Total time 18,690:57 hours and 16,147 total landings.

18 October 1974
Total time 19,739:52 hours and 17,753 total landings.

30 April 1975
Total time 20,588:12 hours and 18,942 total landings.

24 May 1975
Total time 20,699:23 hours and 19,092 total landings.

31 July 1975
Stalled and crashed onto the runway at Songshan Airport, Taipei, Taiwan during a heavy rain storm.

Nowadays it would probably be attributed to a condition known as 'windshear'.

Flight number 134 was arriving from Hualien, North East Taiwan.

Of the 5 crew and 70 passengers on board, 27 were sadly killed.

August 1975
Wreckage noted in the FAT maintenance area at Songshan Airport, Taipei, Taiwan.

Remains broken up for scrap.

22 September 1975
Registration cancelled.


Photo of BEA - British European Airways Viscount G-AOJC

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This website has been designed, built and is maintained by Geoff Blampied, Norwich, Norfolk, England.