20 April 2024
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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

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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

Bob O'Brien collection contributed photos

Click on a photo to see a larger version

The Bob O'Brien collection photo gallery contains 289 photos and they are displayed in the order that they were taken using the actual date if known or an estimate of that date based on clues such as the livery worn or other background information.

Page


1

Ministry of Supply
G-AHRF c/n 1
September 1948

Built for the Ministry of Supply. Taken at Farnborough Airfield, Hampshire, England in September 1948 during the Society of British Aircraft Constructors (SBAC) air show.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

2

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd
G-ALWE c/n 4
September 1952

Initially registered to Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd before being delivered to British European Airways (BEA) as their first Viscount. Taken at Farnborough Airfield, Hampshire, England in the static display area in September 1952 during the Society of British Aircraft Constructors (SBAC) air show.

Note the early Decca 'sharks fin' navigation aerial on the tail and the 'whip' aerial on the forward cheatline.

Also note the non-standard cheatline and the style of direct vision (DV) window which were both changed prior to delivery.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

3

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)
G-AMOD c/n 15
June 1954

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) named 'R M A John Davis'. Taken arriving at Teversham Airport, Cambridge, England in June 1954 for maintenance with Marshall's.

The inboard Rolls-Royce Dart engines have already been shut down.

Note the Decca 'sharks fin' navigational aerial on the tail, which was later deleted.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

4

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)
G-ANHB c/n 62
June 1955

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) named 'R M A Sir Henry Stanley'. Taken at London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England in June 1955.

Note the Decca 'sharks fin' navigation aerial on the tail which was later removed.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

5

British West Indian Airways (BWIA)
VP-TBN c/n 81
December 1955

Leased from BOAC Associated Companies Ltd. Taken at Miami International Airport, Florida, USA circa December 1955 with a BOAC Boeing 377 Stratocruiser in the background.

Note the 'Overseas' part of the name.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

6

Central African Airways Corporation (CAA)
VP-YNA c/n 98
March 1957

Delivered new to Central African Airways (CAA) named 'R M A Malvern'. Taken at Teversham Airport, Cambridge, England circa March 1957 after fitment of weather radar in a modified nose by Marshall's.

It has just completed engine power runs in the area in the background where there is a grass embankment to help suppress the noise level and is now taxiing out for an air-test.

Note the ground power unit and service van.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

7

Fred Olsen Flyselskap A/S
LN-FOH c/n 250
May 1957

Delivered new to Fred Olsen Flyselskap A/S. Taken at Teversham Airport, Cambridge, England circa May 1957.

Note English Electric Canberra B(1).6 WT322 in the background which crashed in West Germany 23 February 1967 with the sad loss of the three crew members.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

8

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)
G-AOHG c/n 156
June 1957

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) named 'R M A Richard Hakluyt'. Taken at London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England in June 1957 departing from a stand in front of the Europa Terminal and Queen's Building.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

9

Fred Olsen Flyselskap A/S
LN-FOM c/n 247
June 1957

Delivered new to Fred Olsen Flyselskap A/S. Taken at Teversham Airport, Cambridge, England in June 1957.

The aircraft was having work done by Marshall's.

Behind it is an English Electric Canberra and in front is a Vickers Valiant.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

10

Fred Olsen Flyselskap A/S
LN-FOM c/n 247
July 1957

Delivered new to Fred Olsen Flyselskap A/S. Taken at London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England circa July 1957 with BEA Airspeed Ambassador G-ALZN on the left.

BEA operated them as the 'Elizabethan Class'.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

11

Air France
F-BGNN c/n 14
August 1957

Delivered new to Air France. Taken at London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England circa August 1957 with Aer Lingus EI-AJI (C/N 289) taxiing by and a BEA Viscount on a remote stand.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

12

Central African Airways Corporation (CAA)
VP-YNC c/n 100
September 1957

Delivered new to Central African Airways (CAA) named 'R M A Mlanje'. Taken departing from Teversham Airport, Cambridge, England circa September 1957 after the fitment of weather radar by Marshall's.

Note the extended range 'slipper' fuel tanks and that the federal flag has now been applied to the tail.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

13

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd
G-AOYF c/n 255
September 1957

Loaned from British European Airways (BEA) for hot and high flight trials. Taken at Wadi Halfa, Northern Sudan 13 September 1957.

It was on its way to South Africa for the flight trials.

At Jan Smuts International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa it was severely damaged during a heavy landing 20 October 1957.

It was then dismantled and returned to the UK and rebuilt as G-APOX (C/N 418) and was the last V.806 Viscount built for British European Airways Corporation (BEA).

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

14

Fred Olsen Flyselskap A/S
LN-FOM c/n 247
December 1957

Delivered new to Fred Olsen Flyselskap A/S. Taken at London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England in December 1957.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

15

British West Indian Airways (BWIA)
VP-TBU c/n 237
March 1958

Leased from BOAC Associated Companies Ltd. Taken arriving at Teversham Airport, Cambridge, England circa March 1958 for maintenance with Marshall's.

The outboard Rolls-Royce Dart engines have already been shut down.

Note the extended range 'slipper' fuel tanks which would have been useful on the long journey to the UK.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

16

Airwork Ltd
G-AODG c/n 77
April 1958

Purchased from British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC). Taken at London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England in April 1958 with 'Airwork London' titles on a very wet day!

A very brave photographer to deal with the elements to take this photo.

The London part of the titles were for marketing purposes only and did not form part of the company name.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

17

Eagle Airways (Bermuda) Ltd
VR-BAX c/n 258
April 1958

Transferred from Eagle Airways Ltd named 'Enterprise'. Taken at Blackbushe Airport, Hampshire, England 15 April 1958 during a crew training period.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

18

Air France
F-BGNM c/n 12
June 1958

Delivered new to Air France. Taken at a busy London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England in June 1958.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

19

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)
G-AMOI c/n 22
June 1958

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) named 'R M A Sir Hugh Willoughby'. Taken at Hellinikon Airport, Athens, Greece circa June 1958.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

20

Indian Air Force
IU-683 c/n 79
June 1958

Delivered new to the Indian Air Force named 'Pushpaka'. Taken at Teversham Airport, Cambridge, England circa June 1958 with the early morning sun showing off the highly polished fuselage.

Presumably the aircraft was having work done by Marshalls and may have included fitment of the weather radar and radome, which it now has installed.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

21

Indian Air Force
IU-684 c/n 80
June 1958

Delivered new to the Indian Air Force named as 'Raj Humsa'. Taken at Teversham Airport, Cambridge, England circa June 1958.

Presumably the aircraft was having work done by Marshalls and may have included fitment of the weather radar and radome, which it now has installed.

Note the RAF Vickers Valiant in the background.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

22

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)
G-AOYO c/n 264
June 1958

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) named 'R M A Adam Smith'. Taken at London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England in June 1958 with spectators looking on from the excellent view provided from the Queen's Building roof terrace.

There was usually a running commentary provided by the airport staff, detailing the planes and the arrival and departure destinations.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

23

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)
G-APNF c/n 225
July 1958

Leased from Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd and named 'R M A Phillip Cartaret'. Taken arriving at London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England in July 1958 on a stand in front of the Queen's Building.

The outboard Rolls-Royce Dart engines have already been shut down.

Note the non-standard 'British European Airways' titles and the fuel tank discharge pipe on the wing trailing edge, something that was not adopted on the BEA owned fleet.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

24

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)
G-APNG c/n 228
July 1958

Leased from Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd and named 'R M A Sir James Lancaster'. Taken arriving at London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England in July 1958 on a stand in front of the Europa Terminal and Queen's Building during a quiet period.

The outboard Rolls-Royce Dart engines have already been shut down.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

25

Eagle Airways (Bermuda) Ltd
VR-BAX c/n 258
July 1958

Transferred from Eagle Airways Ltd named 'Enterprise'. Taken arriving at Idlewild Airport, New York, USA circa July 1958 with the outboard Rolls-Royce Dart engines already shut down.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

26

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)
AP-AJC c/n 335
February 1959

Delivered new to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). Taken at Karachi International Airport, Pakistan in February 1959 during a naming ceremony.

A lineup of VIP dignitaries are now awaiting their chance to fly in this newly delivered aircraft which sadly lasted for only a few months.

Note the extended range 'slipper' fuel tanks.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

27

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)
AP-AJC c/n 335
February 1959

Delivered new to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). Taken at Karachi International Airport, Pakistan in February 1959 during a naming ceremony.

VIP dignitaries are now boarding for their flight in this newly delivered aircraft which sadly lasted for only a few months.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

28

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)
AP-AJC c/n 335
February 1959

Delivered new to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). A stewardess photographed in front of the first PIA Viscount at Karachi International Airport, Pakistan in February 1959 before she boarded to take care of the VIP dignitaries awaiting their first flight.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

29

Eagle Airways (Bermuda) Ltd
VR-BAY c/n 312
May 1959

Transferred from Eagle Airways Ltd now named 'Spirit of Friendship'. Taken at Friendship International Airport, Baltimore, Maryland, USA circa May 1959.

The aircraft in the background is a US Air Force Douglas C-124 Globemaster II.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

30

Air France
F-BGNL c/n 10
June 1959

Delivered new to Air France. Taken arriving at London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England circa June 1959.

The inboard Rolls-Royce Dart engines have already been shut down.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

31

Air France
F-BGNP c/n 18
June 1959

Delivered new to Air France. Taken landing an an unknown location circa June 1959.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

32

British West Indian Airways (BWIA)
VP-TBU c/n 237
June 1959

Leased from BOAC Associated Companies Ltd. Taken arriving at Idlewild Airport, New York, USA in June 1959 in a third livery.

In the bottom right hand corner is a wing tip tank from a Lufthansa Lockheed 1049 Super Constellation or 1649 Starliner.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

33

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)
G-AOYT c/n 268
June 1959

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) named 'R M A James Watt'. Taken at Le Bourget Airport, Paris, France circa June 1959.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

34

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)
G-APIM c/n 412
June 1959

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) named 'R M A Robert Boyle'. Taken arriving at London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England in June 1959 on a stand in front of the Europa Terminal and Queen's Building with the flight dispatcher in the white cap logging the time.

The outboard Rolls-Royce Dart engines have already been shut down.

Note the apron speed limit for vehicles of 10 MPH.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

35

Trans-Canada Air Lines (TCA)
CF-TIC c/n 383
July 1959

Delivered new to Trans-Canada Air Lines (TCA) with fleet number '647'. Taken at Idlewild Airport, Washington, District of Columbia, USA circa July 1959 with another TCA Viscount behind.

In the foreground is a National Airlines Lockheed 188 Electra with a Northwest Airlines example in the background.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

36

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)
G-AMON c/n 27
September 1959

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) named 'R M A Thomas Cavendish'. Taken at London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England 1 September 1959 on a stand in front of the Europa Terminal and Queen's Building.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

37

Misrair - Egyptian Airlines
SU-AKY c/n 75
September 1959

Purchased from the Northern Aircraft Operating Company Ltd. Taken at an unknown location circa September 1959 after a basic repaint.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

38

British West Indian Airways (BWIA)
VP-TBX c/n 238
September 1959

Leased from BOAC Associated Companies Ltd. Taken at Miami International Airport, Florida, USA 22 September 1959.

Note the 'Overseas' part of the name.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

39

Standard Oil Company
N306 c/n 191
January 1960

Delivered new to the Standard Oil Company. Taken at London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England 21 January 1960 in the second livery.

Note that the extended range 'slipper' fuel tanks have now been removed and that the radome is now grey instead of black.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

40

Fred Olsen Flyselskap A/S
LN-FOK c/n 252
April 1960

Returned from Austrian Airlines (AUA) lease. Taken arriving at Teversham Airport, Cambridge, England in April 1960 for a repaint in Fred Olsen livery.

The aircraft in the background is a Royal Air Force Vickers Valiant B Mark 1 which is parked in front of the noise reduction grassy mound used when ground running engines.

Note the partially painted out Austrian Airlines titles.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

41

Eagle Airways (Bermuda) Ltd
VR-BBH c/n 32
June 1960

Purchased from Sea Products Company. Taken at London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England in June 1960 in a later livery.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

42

Kuwait Airways
G-APOW c/n 72
June 1960

Leased from BOAC Associated Companies Ltd. Taken at Jinnah International Airport, Pakistan circa June 1960.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

43

Kuwait Airways
G-APPX c/n 73
June 1960

Leased from BOAC Associated Companies Ltd. Taken at Kuwait City Airport, Persian Gulf circa June 1960 with revised titles and a flag on the tail.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

44

British European Airways Corporation (BEA)
G-APKF c/n 396
June 1960

Delivered new to British European Airways (BEA) named 'R M A Michael Faraday'. Taken at London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England in April 1960 on a stand in front of the Queen's Building.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

45

Continental Airlines
N253V c/n 365
October 1960

Delivered new to Continental Airlines. Taken departing from the gate at Stapleton International Airport, Denver, Colorado, USA in October 1960.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

46

Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS)
LN-FOI c/n 251
November 1960

Leased from Fred Olsen Flyselskap A/S. Taken at Teversham Airport, Cambridge, England in November 1960 just prior to delivery after a repaint in full SAS livery with Marshall's.

It seems strange that the full SAS livery was applied for such a short lease period, but perhaps it was intended to be much longer.

In the background is Icelandair Douglas DC-4 TF-RVH which was on lease from Loftleidir Icelandic Airlines.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

47

Continental Airlines
N252V c/n 364
December 1960

Delivered new to Continental Airlines after a short period of demonstration flying with Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd. Taken at San Francisco International Airport, California, USA in December 1960.

Note the small window at the rear of the cabin.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

48

Austrian Airlines (AUA)
OE-LAN c/n 112
February 1961

Purchased from Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd. Taken at Teversham Airport, Cambridge, England on a misty morning in early February 1961 still in the basic Capital livery with the Austrian registration applied.

It is being towed to the hangar where it will be overhauled and repainted by Marshall's.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

49

Cunard Eagle Airways Ltd
G-ARKH c/n 31
March 1961

Transferred from Eagle Airways (Bermuda) Ltd and re-registered. Taken at London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England in March 1961 in the maintenance area .

Under the tail and behind the bus is the rear fuselage section of Vickers Viking 1B G-AIVH (C/N 221) in Cunard livery which was being used as a cabin procedures trainer.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

50

Icelandair (Flugfélag Íslands)
TF-ISN c/n 140
April 1961

Purchased from Hunting-Clan Air Transport Ltd (HCA) and named 'Gullfaxi'. Taken at London Airport (Heathrow), Middlesex, England in April 1961 parked on a stand in front of the 'Queen's Building'.

Taxiing behind is an Air Safaris Handley Page HP.81 Hermes with a pair of BEA Viscounts in the old and new livery behind it.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection

51

Capital Airlines (USA)
N7444 c/n 200
May 1961

Delivered new to Capital Airlines with fleet number '363'. Taken at an unknown location circa May 1961 in a later livery which was only applied to this aircraft.

A nice comparison between the new and the old with an Allegheny Airlines Douglas DC-3 in the foreground.

Photo source - Bob O'Brien collection


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Photo of BEA - British European Airways Viscount G-AOJC

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