Travel back in time with the Viscount
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United States
N7440 - United Air Lines - June 1961 to January 1969
Transferred from Capital Airlines due to a corporate merger retaining fleet number ‘359’. A very wintry scene taken at Buffalo Municipal Airport, Cheektowaga, Erie County, New York State, USA circa December 1964.
All four engines are running at ground idle and the Ground Power Unit (GPU) has been disconnected.
The pilot now needs to wait for the engine oil temperatures to increase before taxiing for departure.
Photo source - Peter Gates collection
Aircraft Summary
Capital Airlines (USA)
This aircraft c/n 138, a V.745D, was built for Capital Airlines (USA) as N7440 and first flew on Friday, 14 September 1956 at Hurn, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.
During its life it was also owned and/or operated by United Air Lines, Viscount International Corporation, Sociedad Anonima Ecuatoriana de Transportes Aereos (SAETA), Aeropesca Colombia and Intercontinental Colombia
Its final owner/operator was Comfama Rionegro Recreational Park as HK-1708.Its fate:-
During a cargo flight from Eldorado International Airport, Bogotá, Colombia to Gustavo Rojas Pinilla, San Andres Island 31 March 1991 both artificial horizons failed while cruising in turbulence at FL160. Control was regained at 4,000 feet and an emergency landing was carried out at Jose Maria Cordova International Airport, Rionegro, Antioquia near Medellín, Colombia. Inspection after landing showed substantial airframe stress damage. Withdrawn from use. Donated to Comfama Rionegro Recreational Park in Rionegro, 26.7 miles from Medellín, Colombia in September 1991. Noted repainted in another colourful livery in April 2021.