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 446

Operational Record

Photo of Viscount c/n 446
Ghana Airways


Ghana flag Ghana

This V.838 series Viscount was built for
Ghana Airways as 9G-AAU

It first flew on Sunday, 5 November 1961 at Hurn Airport, England powered by Rolls-Royce Dart 525 engines.


During its life this aircraft was also owned and/or operated by
Field Aircraft Services Ltd, Mandala Airlines, British Midland Airways (BMA), British Airways (BA), Air Bridge Carriers Ltd (ABC), Dan-Air London and Air Zimbabwe


Photo of Viscount c/n 446
Flying Pot Restaurant


Zimbabwe flag Zimbabwe

Its final owner/operator was
Flying Pot Restaurant as Z-WGC.

Its fate:-
Withdrawn from service and stored at Kentucky Airport, Harare, Zimbabwe in December 1990. Noted in derelict condition in June 1996.

Moved to Chegutu, Zimbabwe circa March 1997, 70 km southwest of Harare, next to the main road to Kadoma and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe for use as a bar/restaurant together with Viscount Z-WGB (C/N 436). Fuselage, tail and port wing painted up in a red and white Coca-Cola livery and named the 'Flying Pot Restaurant' circa 1999. The starboard wing was not refitted.

Still visible on Google Earth 18 July 2021 despite the rumours over the years that it was soon to be scrapped.


Operational record
Photo of Ghana Airways Viscount 9G-AAU

Country of Registration Ghana

November 1961 to April 1975

Ghana Airways

9G-AAU - c/n 446 - a V.838 series Viscount
Ghana registered

April 1960
Ghana Airways placed an order for three Type 838 Viscounts.

5 November 1961
First flight from Hurn Airport, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England as a Type 838.

The test flying accumulated 14 hours and 25 minutes.

26 November 1961
Departed from Hurn Airport to London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England and noted parked outside the Field Aircraft Services Ltd facility.

28 November 1961
Departed from London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England on delivery to Ghana Airways at Accra.

9 November 1962
Total time 544:17 hours.

28 October 1963
Noted at Wymeswold Airfield, Leicestershire, England undergoing a 'Check 4' overhaul with Field Aircraft Services Ltd.

Total time 1,185:35 hours.

26 November 1963
Air tested at Wymeswold Airfield, Leicestershire, England after a 'Check 4' overhaul with Field Aircraft Services Ltd.

The test flight lasted for 35 minutes.

1 December 1963
Air tested at Wymeswold Airfield, Leicestershire, England after a 'Check 4' overhaul with Field Aircraft Services Ltd.

The test flight lasted for 3 hours.

5 December 1963
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England during the return to Ghana after an overhaul.

27 November 1964
Total time 1,809:55 hours.

27 January 1965
Total time 2,012:55 hours.

Noted with additional Nigeria Airways titles on the rear fuselage for a joint service with Ghana Airways between Accra, Ghana and Lagos, Nigeria.
Ghana Airways
with Nigeria Airways titles

1968
Noted with additional Nigeria Airways titles on the rear fuselage for a joint service with Ghana Airways between Accra, Ghana and Lagos, Nigeria.

July 1973
Withdrawn from service and stored at Accra Airport, Ghana.

1 April 1975
Sold to Field Aircraft Services Ltd.


Photo of Field Aircraft Services Ltd Viscount G-BCZR

Country of Registration United Kingdom

April 1975 to May 1976

Field Aircraft Services Ltd

G-BCZR - c/n 446 - a V.838 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

1 April 1975
Purchased from Ghana Airways.

11 April 1975
Registered to Field Aircraft Services Ltd as G-BCZR.

22 April 1975
Arrived at East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington, Leicestershire, England.

A possible sale to Air Bridge Carriers Ltd (ABC) was not completed.

Lease to Mandala Airlines not completed.
Lease to Mandala Airlines
not completed

May 1975
Noted at East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington, Leicestershire, England painted up in Mandala Airlines livery with registration PK-RVN applied but the lease to Mandala Airlines was not completed. The registration was later used on Viscount c/n 415.

24 February 1976
Noted at East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington, Leicestershire, England still in Mandala Airlines livery but with registration PK-RVN blacked out and G-BCZR temporarily applied.

10 May 1976
Dry leased to British Midland Airways (BMA).


Photo of Mandala Airlines Viscount PK-RVN *

Country of Registration Indonesia

May 1975 to May 1975

Mandala Airlines

PK-RVN * - c/n 446 - a V.838 series Viscount
Indonesia registered

May 1975
Noted at East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington, Leicestershire, England painted up in Mandala Airlines livery and registration PK-RVN applied but the sale was not completed. The registration was later used on Viscount C/N 415.


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

Country of Registration United Kingdom

May 1976 to October 1976

British Midland Airways (BMA)

G-BCZR - c/n 446 - a V.838 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

10 May 1976
Dry leased from Field Aircraft Services Ltd using BMA crews. This was to cover for Viscount G-BAPE (C/N 341) which was on lease to British Airways (BA).

29 October 1976
Returned to Field Aircraft Services Ltd.


Photo of Field Aircraft Services Ltd Viscount G-BCZR

Country of Registration United Kingdom

October 1976 to October 1976

Field Aircraft Services Ltd

G-BCZR - c/n 446 - a V.838 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

29 October 1976
Returned from British Midland Airways (BMA) dry lease.

14 January 1977
Dry leased back to British Midland Airways (BMA) using BMA crews.


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

Country of Registration United Kingdom

January 1977 to January 1977

British Midland Airways (BMA)

G-BCZR - c/n 446 - a V.838 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

14 January 1977
Dry leased from Field Aircraft Services Ltd using BMA crews.

14 January 1977
Sub-leased to British Airways (BA) using BMA flight crews.


Photo of British Airways (BA) Viscount G-BCZR

Country of Registration United Kingdom

January 1977 to January 1977

British Airways (BA)

G-BCZR - c/n 446 - a V.838 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

14 January 1977
Sub-leased from British Midland Airways (BMA) using BMA flight crews. The aircraft was on dry lease from Field Aircraft Services Ltd.

24 January 1977
Returned to Field Aircraft Services Ltd.

FURTHER READING: Books about British Airways (BA)



Photo of Field Aircraft Services Ltd Viscount G-BCZR

Country of Registration United Kingdom

January 1977 to May 1977

Field Aircraft Services Ltd

G-BCZR - c/n 446 - a V.838 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

24 January 1977
Returned from British Midland Airways (BMA) dry lease to East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington, Leicestershire, England.

28 May 1977
Dry leased back to British Midland Airways (BMA) using BMA crews.


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

Country of Registration United Kingdom

May 1977 to September 1977

British Midland Airways (BMA)

G-BCZR - c/n 446 - a V.838 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

28 May 1977
Dry leased from Field Aircraft Services Ltd using BMA crews. This was to cover for Viscount G-BAPE (C/N 341) which was on lease to British Airways (BA).

30 September 1977
Returned to Field Aircraft Services Ltd.


Photo of Field Aircraft Services Ltd Viscount G-BCZR

Country of Registration United Kingdom

September 1977 to February 1979

Field Aircraft Services Ltd

G-BCZR - c/n 446 - a V.838 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

30 September 1977
Returned from British Midland Airways (BMA) dry lease.

Reports of this aircraft being leased to Mandala Airlines in Indonesia in 1978 as PK-RVN are incorrect as this applies to C/N 415.

There are no reports of this aircraft being in service between September 1977 and February 1979. Details please to information@vickersviscount.net

February 1979
A proposed lease to Southern International for two years was not completed.

February 1979
Sold to Air Bridge Carriers Ltd (ABC).


Photo of Air Bridge Carriers Ltd (ABC) Viscount G-BCZR

Country of Registration United Kingdom

February 1979 to February 1979

Air Bridge Carriers Ltd (ABC)

G-BCZR - c/n 446 - a V.838 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

February 1979
Purchased from Field Aircraft Services Ltd.

5 February 1979
Test flight from East Midlands Airport which lasted for 2 hours 15 minutes.

7 February 1979
Test flight from East Midlands Airport which lasted for 1 hour.

9 February 1979
Test flight from East Midlands Airport which lasted for 2 hours.

11 February 1979
Test flight from East Midlands Airport which lasted for 1 hour 15 minutes.

12 February 1979
Test flight from East Midlands Airport which lasted for 1 hour.

14 February 1979
Test flight from East Midlands Airport which lasted for 1 hour 35 minutes.

17 February 1979
Total time 13,227:08 hours.

19 February 1979
Registered to Air Bridge Carriers Ltd (ABC).

20 February 1979
Wet leased to Dan-Air London.


Photo of Dan-Air London Viscount G-BCZR

Country of Registration United Kingdom

February 1979 to April 1981

Dan-Air London

G-BCZR - c/n 446 - a V.838 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

20 February 1979
Wet leased from Air Bridge Carriers Ltd (ABC), i.e. with ABC flight crews.

17 February 1980
Total time 14,762:16 hours.

30 April 1981
Acceptance flight from Ringway Airport, Manchester, England which lasted for 1 hour 33 minutes.

30 April 1981
Returned to Air Bridge Carriers Ltd (ABC) Ltd.


Photo of Air Bridge Carriers Ltd (ABC) Viscount G-BCZR

Country of Registration United Kingdom

April 1981 to May 1981

Air Bridge Carriers Ltd (ABC)

G-BCZR - c/n 446 - a V.838 series Viscount
United Kingdom registered

30 April 1981
Returned from Dan-Air London lease but remained at the Dan-Air maintenance facility at Ringway Airport, Manchester, England.

1 May 1981
UK registration cancelled as aircraft exported.

1 May 1981
Sold to Air Zimbabwe.


Photo of Air Zimbabwe Viscount VP-WGC

Country of Registration Rhodesia

May 1981 to October 1983

Air Zimbabwe

VP-WGC - c/n 446 - a V.838 series Viscount
Rhodesia registered

1 May 1981
Purchased from Air Bridge Carriers Ltd (ABC).

Noted at Ringway Airport, Manchester, England in an ex Dan-Air livery less titles and tail logo with the Zimbabwe registration applied.

3 May 1981
Departed on delivery to Air Zimbabwe.

2 July 1981
Total time 16,683:57 hours.

June 1982
Noted at Kentucky Airport, Harare, Zimbabwe undergoing heavy maintenance. The opportunity was taken at this time to standardise the cockpit layout and galley area as the two ex ABC aircraft were unpopular with the Air Zimbabwe crews. This also applied to VP-WGB (C/N 436).

October 1983
Re-registered Z-WGC.


Photo of Air Zimbabwe Viscount Z-WGC

Country of Registration Zimbabwe

October 1983 to March 1997

Air Zimbabwe

Z-WGC - c/n 446 - a V.838 series Viscount
Zimbabwe registered

October 1983
Re-registered from VP-WGC.

22 November 1984
Total time 16,766:03 hours and 16,638 total landings.

15 January 1985
Total time 16,974:19 hours and 16,830 total landings.

17 October 1985
Total time 17,302:31 hours and 17,163 total landings.

12 June 1986
Total time 18,058:45 hours and 18,017 total landings.

31 July 1986
Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA) renewed.

22 August 1986
Total time 18,378:08 hours and 18,452 total landings.

December 1990
Withdrawn from service and stored at Harare International Airport, Kentucky, Zimbabwe. Offered for sale but there were no buyers.

June 1996
Noted in derelict condition.

circa March 1997
Dismantled and moved by road to Chegutu, Zimbawe, 70 km southwest of Harare for use as a bar/restaurant together with Viscount Z-WGB (C/N 436). The actual date is not known. Details please to information@vickersviscount.net


Photo of Flying Pot Restaurant Viscount Z-WGC

Country of Registration Zimbabwe

March 1997 to

Flying Pot Restaurant

Z-WGC - c/n 446 - a V.838 series Viscount
Zimbabwe registered

circa March 1997
Transferred from Air Zimbabwe and dismantled and moved by road to Chegutu, 70 km southwest of Harare, Zimbabwe next to the main road to Kadoma and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe for use as a bar/restaurant together with Viscount Z-WGB (C/N 436).

The actual date is not known. Details please to information@vickersviscount.net

The starboard wing was not refitted.

Rumours that it may be scrapped.
Rumours that it may
be scrapped

July 1997
Seen mounted on steel frames still in the ex Air Zimbabwe livery less titles together with Z-WGB (C/N 436) in the same condition.

October 1999
Noted painted up in 'Flying Pot Restaurant' red and white livery with a Coca-Cola bottle on the tail.

The repaint date is not known.
Details please to information@vickersviscount.net

18 July 2021
Still visible on Google Earth (18 08' 15.97" S - 30 08' 29.76" E) despite the rumours over the years that it was soon to be scrapped.


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.