Vickers Viscount Network
May 2010 Newsletter
Dear Member
Welcome to the third Vickers Viscount Network Newsletter for 2010 - It is good to
see that now these are coming out on a regular basis people are coming forward with
information and photographs. Just by looking at the 'latest 50 photographs' page you will
see how rapidly new contributions have been loaded. An e-mail with photos attached came in
while I was typing the above paragraph!
Carrying on the team 'family' spirit is behind the idea of having a gathering at Duxford
later in the year. The planned meeting is a 'work in progress' project as noted elsewhere
in this newsletter. Also welcome are indications of spare part inventories and you can
also read about some these here.
WEBSITE UPDATES
USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS (including copyright issues)
BEA - British European Airways
Viscount c/n 64 G-ANHD
Geoff Blampied and Brian Burrage receive requests to 'buy, borrow, use' etc. photographs
for other publications and media. Because of copyright issues, the site founders have an
explicit policy of not making material on the site available for copying. Although this
may not sound user friendly, it must be remembered that material is kindly donated by
contributors and out of respect, a determined effort is made to protect their copyright.
While on this subject, if you do have any queries as to photo origin references, please
contact Geoff.
Please be very careful when sending in photographs to make every effort to try and
identify the photographer. Recently a photograph surfaced which clearly shows who the
photographer is however the copy which we have had on the site for a while was accredited
to the contributor. If you cannot identify the photographer you can still send in your
photographs as we will credit it to the contributor’s collection until advised otherwise.
PHOTOS BY OWNER OR OPERATOR
Hunting-Clan Viscount c/n 76 G-ANRT
A new page has been loaded under PHOTOS on the site. The idea of this page is to
make it easier to find an aircraft photo not just by tracking through an aircraft but by
ownerships etc. It may be that you don't know the aircraft but do know the airline. Now
with this page it should make the searching a little easier and quicker. Geoff continues
to work at making all photos available in thumbnail presentation so that you can see at a
glance what is available. Simply click on a selected photo and an enlarged version will
appear with a more detailed caption. To revert to the thumbnail range click on the
thumbnail button. Some subjects have more than 51 pictures loaded and in such cases a
second page has been created to cater for photos 52 to 102. Page 3 would cater for photos
103 to 153 and so on.
PHOTOS - A PLEA FROM THE WEB MASTERS
Viscount c/n 387 CF-TIG
We get many offers to supply photos. Brian has a standard plea to donors, "We need scans
of at least 600 DPI / 500 KB to produce a decent sized image on the website." Sending
them in this format would save Brian and Geoff a lot of work and should see your pictures
on the website that much sooner. Not that they would refuse smaller DPI photos, it's just
that the correct sizes are easier to prepare for uploading and generally take precedence.
If you need help scanning your photos then contact Brian Burrage at
brian.burrage@vickersviscount.net
who provides the Vickers Viscount Network quality, secure and FREE scanning service.
To provide information and photos for inclusion in the Virtual Museum please send them to
information@vickersviscount.net.
HOW TO SEE THE PHOTO GALLERY OF AN AIRCRAFT FEATURED
Misrair Viscount c/n 85 SU-AIC
From the Main Menu: - Photos >> Photos by Construction Number or Registration.
Select the Construction Number or Registration that you are interested in, e.g. SU-AIC
or 85, then press [Go]. Note that you can scroll to the right of each photograph
for a snap shot on what's new in the photograph department. Note too that the pictures are
now presented in thumbnail fashion. The home page has the latest 2 photos that are
automatically updated every time Geoff adds photos. Also there are 3 random photos at the
top of the page that changes every time you visit the home page.
NEW LINKS
New links have recently been installed. Under LINKS look at 'Vickers Viscount
spares for sale' and also 'Vickers Vanguard network'. Many of the Viscount followers have
a keen interest in its stable mate the Vickers Vanguard. When looking at the contributors
for that site you will see many names associated with the Viscount. Also under PHOTOS there
is a new page 'Viscount film from British Pathe'. Have a look at it but take note of the
warning regarding the British Eagle crash containing some shocking images. If searching
for survivors in smouldering wreckage is not your scene then don't view that footage.
UPDATE TO HISTORY ON C/N 45 VH-RMQ
MMA - MacRobertson Miller Airlines
Viscount c/n 45 VH-RMQ
There is compelling reading surrounding a fatal accident concerning this Viscount which
led to the ultimate grounding of all V.700 series Viscounts in Australia.
Have a look at VH-RMQ c/n 45 for comprehensive details.
MOVE THE SCROLL BAR
If you drag the scroll bar on the website across to the right you will see another
column of information in orange and yellow. Always worth a look at.
MEMBERS' CORNER
VISCOUNT ENTHUSIASTS GET TOGETHER - DUXFORD, ENGLAND
Duxford Aviation Society's
Viscount c/n 5 G-ALWF
John Overhill has been working behind the scenes to arrange a visit to Duxford to
inspect G-ALWF, c/n 5, which is the oldest surviving Viscount. Currently we are looking
at Saturday 31st July.
A confirmed date will probably be announced during May at which stage precise details
on where to meet, when and who to contact etc. will be provided.
At this stage we can say that all attendees would enter Duxford as normal visitors
paying the standard entrance fee (or nothing if a Duxford member). From there onwards
the Vickers Viscount Network event is free though it would be good if we all gave a
donation to the Duxford Aviation Society to help them with their work.
Meet Vickers Viscount Network key members (identified by their smart new Vickers
Viscount Network badges) by the nose of G-ALWF POSSIBLY at 11 am.
Depending on numbers attending the DAS - Duxford Aviation Society will give a presentation
about G-ALWF on board G-ALWF! Will this be the first time since the aircraft retired
that she will have a full load of 'passengers'. Following the presentation the DAS
crew will give us a tour of G-ALWF. - Thank you John.
LIGHT HEARTED BUT TRUE VISCOUNT MOMENTS:
TCA Viscount
c/n 387 CF-TIG
David Peters reports 'I was having coffee with a group of Viscount pilots yesterday
and they reminded me of the story of the Viscounts on the New York run. So the story
goes, the terminal at Idlewild had a problem with rats. When Viscount services began
the rats disappeared from the TCA section of the building apparently they didn't enjoy
the sound of the Dart as much as some. I must note that one has to speak loudly when
speaking to an ex Viscount pilot'.
BUY AND SELL, MYSTERIES SOLVED, AND HELP REQUIRED
VISCOUNT SPARE PARTS
Mike Finnegan in the United States says his company 'has enough spare parts to keep
three Viscounts running for years'. Have a look at the Vickers Viscount spares for sale
page under LINKS.
STARTING HER UP
Okay - by now you may have built your very own Viscount out of the above large collection
of spare parts and so it is time to breathe some life in to her soul, courtesy of David
Peters. Note that he is the same person who told us about the problem at Idlewild above!
Turn up your speakers and try:
www.entertonement.com/.
BEA - British European Airways
Viscount c/n 66 G-ANHF
HINT: Remember there are four engines to start so why not open four sessions of google at
once. Now open a fifth session and select a photo in which there is a Viscount taxiing.
Pick for example Andrew Hartill`s front on picture taken at Elmdon in February 1957 of
G-ANHF which is c/n 66. Now select the first four sessions and paste in to each of them the
above www and listen to those four mighty Darts wind up! Now go back to the photograph.
Fasten seat belts! Agreed, it is taxiing in but it does add a bit more action. You can
always pull the orange progress bars back and start her up again!
Adds Newsletter Editor Peter Layne 'My wife didn't seem to mind when I ground tested the
above . . . Reminds me of the time we had a topdressing (crop-duster) plane working near
our place. While she was at the hair salon for a ball that night I was taping recording
the top-dresser, which made several visits from distant Ardmore Aerodrome. I set the tape
recorder to come on high about two hours after we got home from the ball! Ooops!'
ANOTHER ANGLE ON FLYING - ONE SIXTH SCALE MODEL(S)
James Maitland has come forward with an exciting plan. 'Hi, I was wondering if you would
be able to help me, I am a very keen scale aero modeller mostly RC and I'm a member of the
LMA (Large Model Association) and I'm looking into starting a new project of a 1/6 scale
Viscount V.800. The first stage is to make a plan this is done from a three view the
larger more detailed the better. I have seen the 3 view on blueprints.com but there's not
to much detail in that one, do you think you might be able to help me find a decent 3 view,
thank you in advance, James'.
If anyone can help James contact him at
scale.modeller@hotmail.co.uk.
New Zealand National Airways
Viscount c/n 283 ZK-BRF
James has been asked to keep the readership informed on progress on this project.
Peter Layne in New Zealand recalls in the early 1960s that someone there did build and fly
a large scale model of an NZNAC Viscount V.807 model. He knows there was an article about
it in NZNAC's Staff magazine and will try and hunt it down for details. - It would be
interesting to find out what happened to the model. Who knows, it may still survive.
MANDALA AIRLINES VISCOUNT MODEL SOUGHT
Mandala Airlines Viscount
c/n 433 PK-RVS
'Like falling in love with a pretty girl' is how Erman Makmur describes his association
with the Vickers Viscount. Original but fair comment! Erman flew in a Mandala Viscount 30
years ago from Medan to Jakarta and back to Medan. Clearly it was an occasion he looks
back on fondly and now he is looking for a model complete in Mandala's colours.
If anyone can assist Erman please contact him at
erman@comexindointernational.co.id
and copy the Viscount Network information address into the e-mail.
Before going to print Brian Burrage corresponded with Erman mentioning that he has been a
Rolls-Royce Dart overhaul engineer for over thirty years now and regularly visited
Indonesia to see the following operators, mainly in Jakarta, but also in Surabaya: -
Airfast, Bouraq, Citra Air, Indonesia Air Transport, Indonesian Air Force (at Halim),
Merpati Nusantara, Mandala, Rajawali Air, Sabang Merauke Raya Air Charter, Sempati Air
Transport and Trigana Air Service. On one of the trips he purchased 20 Dart engines that
had been removed from the stored Viscounts at Jakarta and they were shipped to the UK for
spares use.
ECUADOR TRIP
Which Viscount is this
at Puembo, Ecuador?
Andreas Hartmann in Switzerland reports 'I am travelling in May 2010 to Ecuador and I will
try to see and inspect Viscount HC-CAG in Puembo (10km east of Quito). This plane is
stored in the garden of an hotel called Laguardia. The house and the Viscount in the
garden belonged formerly to a general of the Ecuador Air Force, named General Carlos
Alfredo Gudiño, hence the fake registration HC-CAG. According to a local enthusiast
webpage it is c/n 226 ex XC-POV. If possible I would like to check the c/n plate.
According to Brian Burrage it is usually on a stainless steel plate fitted to an internal
panel or bulkhead between the front of the cabin and the cockpit. There may also be a
callsign placard on the instrument panel. Brian comments further; 'We hope you are
successful in positively identifying 'HC-CAG'. Have a great trip and if possible, please
take loads of photos, both inside and outside!'
We look forward to a report on your visit.
INTERESTING WEBSITE
Kuwait Airways Viscount
c/n 71 G-APTA
Grahame Higgs in Australia has highlighted a website he has found which has some interesting Viscount
pictures. Have a look at: -
www.dhc-2.com/Renfrew%20Reflections.html/.
Thank you Grahame.
BOVINGDON - AIR STATION 112
Mike and Dave Humphrey (who are researching the history of Bovingdon - Air Station 112) ask
'Any idea of the registration of the first BEA Viscount which did take off and landing /
engine out trials at Bovingdon. It spent a whole day doing circuits and bumps, - returning
to Heathrow only to re-fuel and change crews'. If you know the answer send an email to Dave
at
humphrey779@btinternet.com.
Does anyone know the date (approximate) of this occurrence?
PHOTOS (INCLUDING VISCOUNTS) FOR SALE
Thomas Jung has made an inquiry about Sphinx Air which has led to a database
airlinehobby.com.
Select Viscount and this should lead you to a vast selection of Viscount photos for
sale on line. Obviously similar results are achieved for other selected criteria.
CENTRAL AFRICAN AIRWAYS
CAA - Central African Airways
Viscount c/n 98 VP-YNA
Neil Gaunt has kindly supplied the following account of Central African Airways. Stories
like these are always welcome as apart from being interesting they serve to not only spread
the knowledge of Viscount operations but can also fill in gaps in the original story.
Always remember that when you share a story it need not be 100% complete. There are always
readers in every environment who may have some vital clue to help present the total picture.
Neil has other stories for us to read which he will supply in due course. Thanks Neil.
Says Neil, 'Central African Airways was a progressive company albeit a small one. They were
the first airline in Africa with Viscounts when they introduced a fleet of five Type V.748D
Viscounts in 1956. The aircraft all had names beginning with M, with Central African
connections; Malvern, Matopos, Mlange, Mweru and Mpica'.
CAA - Central African Airways
Viscount c/n 102 VP-YNE
'In those happy days where security was not even thought about, the airline opened a
Viscount to the public, by parking it outside the hangar and letting anyone come and look
the aircraft over. I was a schoolboy at the time and remember the line of people waiting to
look inside, looking up the jetpipes and generally being fascinated by the highly polished
aircraft'.
'The aircraft were delivered with provision for slipper tanks for long range operations and
flew a weekly service from Salisbury to London, taking two or three days on the trip. Sadly
it was on one of these trips that VP-YNE was written off when she flew into the escarpment
at Benghazi (Libya). The subsequent inquiry found that the altimeter settings were incorrect,
costing 36 lives.' (An account of this accident on 9 August 1958 is also recorded on this
aircraft's history page on the website).
LAC - LINEAS AEREAS CANARIAS
LAC - Lineas Aereas Canarias
Viscount c/n 264 EC-DXU
Martin Hinton has come forward wanting to know more about an airline he and his wife used on
their honeymoon. From what he tells us this company is LAC - LINEAS AEREAS CANARIAS.
Martin reports. 'We found an advert for cheap tickets to England we booked them with out
much thought. The only problem was that the flight left Los Rodeos in Tenerife landed first
at Sevilla then Bilbao and then on to Southend. Being used to the usual direct flights this
seemed a bit different to say the least. When we got to Los Rodeos the airline was Area
Lineas Canarias and when we saw the aircraft my wife was a little shocked when she saw what
to her seemed like a WWII bomber. Having a interest in aviation I knew that it was a Vickers
Viscount, I only wish I had taken some photos but I didn't unfortunately. I remember being
seated in more or less the centre of the aircraft and that the seats were like armchairs.
The whole aircraft was in very good condition and looked like it had just been refurbished.
When it started up the noise was incredible, not what we were used to anyway. The rest of
the passengers seemed to be young couples like ourselves, possibly all looking for cheap
tickets'.
LAC - Lineas Aereas Canarias
Viscount c/n 264 EC-DXU
'When we took off I remember how low we flew you could easily see boats and ships and then
when over land could make out cars trains even a motor bike race as we took off from Sevilla.
We landed at Southend at night and I remember being last off as by this time my wife was
quite ill. The whole flight took well over 10 hours which for me is still the most
interesting commercial flight I have ever been on. What I would like to know is a little more
about this airline and why it was using Viscounts because I have never been able to find out
any more about it or the Viscounts it was using, can you help?'
VISCOUNT STAMPS
Thomas Mueller kindly advises us of his Philatelic collection of Viscounts.
The webmasters intend to incorporate this subject at some point on the website and will
eventually use his very useful scans. If you wish chat to him his email is
thomas.mueller@dfs.de.
TCA - TRANS-CANADA AIRLINES STEWARDESSES
Through Jack Stephens we have received a TCA Stewardess recruiting brochure, supplied by
Jim Bruce who worked at the Winnipeg Overhaul Base in the Viscount years.
The brochure makes interesting reading. Have a look too at
www.jim-bruce.com.
Certainly worth a visit.
VISCOUNT HITS WANDERING DEER
One night late in July, a stray deer fell prey to the whirling propeller of an inbound
Viscount at Saint John N.B., and was buried by a Municipal Airport crew alongside the
runway on which it was hit.
The accident happened as Flight 426 from Montreal and Fredericton touched down on what was
to be a brief stop before continuing on to Halifax. Only one of the passengers saw the
accident and he called to Stewardess Alice Francis, 'I think we hit a deer'.
She informed the pilot, Captain Donald Dubriteil of Montreal who swung the aircraft and
picked up the body of a big buck deer and its sheared antlers in his landing lights. As a
precautionary measure the aircraft was grounded and the remainder of the passengers bound
for other parts of the Maritimes were placed aboard another aircraft.
RESOURCES
PRODUCTION HISTORIES
Mention must be made of the great efforts by many to research Viscount history. Richard
Stanton and Julian Bourn have been working away at this for quite some time and they
recently gained access to the official Production History from Vickers-Armstrongs. Whilst
conducting some research at Brooklands for Peter Upton regarding the Aer Lingus V.707's,
Richard Stanton came across a Vickers Contract List. This document (on two A3 sheets), is
dated the Fourth Quarter of 1961, and lists the precise date that all Viscount Contracts
for Purchase was signed. The data is arranged in Viscount Type No order with Customer Name,
Number of Aircraft ordered etc. A new web page is being created to record this information,
similar to the lists already in place for the Construction Numbers / Date of First Flight.
This will be a useful addition to the website, and would compliment the existing data
already shown.
The Viscount list is divided separately into both the 700 and 800 series aircraft. Vickers
record each aircraft in chronological Production Number order, which is different to the
constructor's number. Without exception, every book on the Viscount published to-date with
a 'production list' shows the aircraft in constructor's number order (standard practice).
Others who have been researching extensively include Peter Upton, Brian Burrage, Geoff
Blampied, Jack Stephens, Terry Baker and David Peters. There are others and what must be
remembered is that every detail that comes in is potentially useful so if you do have
something to share do not hesitate as it may be a piece of the 'missing jigsaw'. There are
various debates going on which require resolution. For example, available engineering
records from BEA suggest that the first Mk.506s were fitted in May 1955 but there is an
inference that G-ALWF had her engines upgraded to Mk.506 in 1954. Obviously something is
not right there. Does anyone know the answer? Google searching is not necessarily going to
provide the right answer as it is the result of research. The answer is more likely going
to come from primary sources such as manufacturers records, or magazines etc. with
photographic evidence.
BRITISH BUILT AIRCRAFT. RON SMITH - THE HISTORY PRESS
The series is a regional survey of aircraft manufactures in Britain from 1908 to approx
2005. Each volume starts with an overview of the development of the Industry, followed by
a County-by-County and location-by-location description of each Company, large or small
engaged in aircraft construction. This includes many companies engaged in contract
production during both World Wars and extends to firms that only built very few or single
examples of aircraft. The only exclusions are gliders, balloons and most micro-lights.
Volume 2 (South West & Central Southern England) published March 2003 ISBN 0 7524 2785 7. * (Hurn)
Volume 3 (South East England) published July 2004 ISBN 0 7524 2993 0 * (Weybridge)
Volume 4 (Central & Eastern England) published December 04 ISBN 0 7524 3162 5
Volume 5 (Northern England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland) published July 2005 ISBN 0 7524 3487 X
CONTACTS & SUBSCRIPTIONS
To add a friend or colleague to the Vickers Viscount Network membership go to Home>> Join
the Vickers Viscount Network for free>> Click here to join the Vickers Viscount Network..
To cancel your membership to the Vickers Viscount Network send an e-mail to
membership@vickersviscount.net.
EDITORIAL TEAM
Peter Layne, Wellington, New Zealand.
peter.layne@vickersviscount.net.
Ed Jones, Manchester, England.
ed.jones@vickersviscount.net.
Dave Robinson, Nottinghamshire, England.
dave.robinson@vickersviscount.net.
Although every endeavour is made to find an answer to questions, either from the website
production team or by asking around, please appreciate that the team are all unpaid volunteers
who fit this work in with their daytime jobs and chores around home. Any opinions expressed
in this publication are not necessarily those of the Vickers Viscount Network or the
Newsletter Editors.
