Vickers VC.1 Viking
Encyclopedia
The Vickers
VC.1 Viking was a British
twin-engine short-range airliner
derived from the Vickers Wellington
bomber
and built by Vickers Armstrongs Limited at Brooklands
near Weybridge
in Surrey
. In the aftermath of the Second World War
, the Viking was an important airliner with British
airlines pending the development of turboprop aircraft like the Viscount
. An experimental airframe was fitted with Rolls-Royce Nene
turbojets and first flown in 1948 as the world's first pure jet transport aircraft.
but the fuselage was new. Although the original contract referred to Wellington Transport Aircraft, on completion, the name Viking was chosen.
The prototype (designated the Type 491 and registered G-AGOK) was built by the Vickers Experimental Department at its war-time Foxwarren dispersal site and was first flown by 'Mutt' Summers at Wisley Airfield
on 22 June 1945. This aircraft crashed on 23 April 1946 due to a double engine failure; no fatalities occurred as a result of the crash. Following successful trials of the three prototypes the British Overseas Airways Corporation
(BOAC) ordered 19 aircraft. The first BOAC aircraft flew on 23 March 1946. The prototypes were then used for trials with the Royal Air Force
which lead to orders for military versions (the Viking C2 (12 ordered as freighter/transports) and modified Valetta C1
).
The initial 19 production aircraft (later designated the Viking 1A) carried 21 passengers, they had metal fuselage
s and fabric-clad geodetic wings and tail units. Following feedback from customers, the next 14 examples, known as the Viking 1, featured stressed-metal wings and tail units. The next variant, the Viking 1B, was 28 in (71 cm) longer, carrying 24 passengers with up-rated Bristol Hercules
piston engines, achieved a production run of 115. One of this batch was changed during production to be fitted with two Rolls-Royce Nene
turbojet engines and upon its first flight on 6 April 1948 became the world's first entirely jet-powered airliner
(albeit only a prototype). The Type 618 Nene-Viking flew Heathrow-Paris
on the anniversary of Blériot
's crossing of the Channel, 1948 taking only 34 minutes (c.210 mi/340 km, 370.6 mph/596.4 km/h). Some six years later, it was converted to a piston engined Viking.
Production finished in 1948, including 16 for the RAF and the King's Flight, but in 1952 BEA adapted some to a 38-passenger layout, taking the maximum payload up from 5,500-7,200 lb (2,500-3,300 kg). All Vikings featured a tailwheel undercarriage.
The 158th Viking became the prototype of the military Valetta, of which 261 were sold. When production of this strengthened but externally-similar type ended in 1951
, a flying classroom version with tricycle undercarriage was already being delivered to the Royal Air Force
(RAF), called the Varsity
. All but one of those entered RAF service, the other example going to the Swedish Air Force
. The production of 161 Varsities kept the Hurn works busy until January 1954, and they enjoyed a long service life. Examples are preserved at Brooklands Museum
, the Imperial War Museum Duxford and the Newark
Air Museum.
The first Viking was flown from Vickers' flight test airfield at Wisley, Surrey, by chief test pilot Joseph "Mutt" Summers
on 22 June 1945 and the third aircraft built was delivered to BOAC at Hurn
near Bournemouth on 20 April 1946. Upon the delivery of nine examples to BOAC for development flying, including the two remaining prototypes, British European Airways
(BEA) was established on 1 August 1946 to operate airliners within Europe and these first VC.1 Vikings were transferred to the new airline
.
After a trial flight from Northolt to Oslo on 20 August 1946 by the newly formed BEA, the first regular Viking scheduled service commenced between Northolt and Copenhagen on 1 September 1946.
In all 163 Vikings were built. The initials "VC" stood for Vickers Civil, echoing the "DC" precedent set by the Douglas Aircraft Company
of the USA, builders of the DC-1, DC-2 and DC-3 Douglas Dakota, the latter also bought by BEA and of a similar configuration to the Viking. Vickers soon ceased to use the 'VC' letters, instead using type numbers in the 49x and 600 series, which indicated the specific customer airline.
BEA operated their large fleet of Vikings on many European and UK trunk routes for eight years. From 1951, the remaining fleet was modified with 36, instead of 27 seats, and named the "Admiral Class". BEA operated the Viking until late 1954, when the last was displaced by the more modern and pressurised Airspeed Ambassador
and Vickers Viscount
.
BEA sold their Vikings to several UK independent airlines for use on their growing scheduled and charter route networks. Some were sold to other European operators. An ex-BEA Viking 1B was fitted out as a VIP aircraft for the Arab Legion
Air Force, mainly for the use of the King of Jordan
. Most Vikings had been retired from service by the mid 1960s and the sole surviving example in the UK is owned by Brooklands Museum where it is under long term restoration.
Viking 1A
Viking 1
Viking 1B
Nene Viking
Viking C2
Valetta C2
Varsity T1
Type 495
Type 496
Type 498
Type 604
Type 607
Type 610
Type 613
Type 614
Type 615
Type 616
Type 618
Type 620
Type 621
Type 623
Type 624
Type 626
Type 627
Type 628
Type 631
Type 632
Type 634
Type 635
Type 636
Type 637
Type 639
Type 641
Type 643
Type 644
Type 649
Type 651
Type 657
(Portuguese India
)
South Africa
Southern Rhodesia
Vickers
Vickers was a famous name in British engineering that existed through many companies from 1828 until 1999.-Early history:Vickers was formed in Sheffield as a steel foundry by the miller Edward Vickers and his father-in-law George Naylor in 1828. Naylor was a partner in the foundry Naylor &...
VC.1 Viking was a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
twin-engine short-range airliner
Airliner
An airliner is a large fixed-wing aircraft for transporting passengers and cargo. Such aircraft are operated by airlines. Although the definition of an airliner can vary from country to country, an airliner is typically defined as an aircraft intended for carrying multiple passengers in commercial...
derived from the Vickers Wellington
Vickers Wellington
The Vickers Wellington was a British twin-engine, long range medium bomber designed in the mid-1930s at Brooklands in Weybridge, Surrey, by Vickers-Armstrongs' Chief Designer, R. K. Pierson. It was widely used as a night bomber in the early years of the Second World War, before being displaced as a...
bomber
Bomber
A bomber is a military aircraft designed to attack ground and sea targets, by dropping bombs on them, or – in recent years – by launching cruise missiles at them.-Classifications of bombers:...
and built by Vickers Armstrongs Limited at Brooklands
Brooklands
Brooklands was a motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England. It opened in 1907, and was the world's first purpose-built motorsport venue, as well as one of Britain's first airfields...
near Weybridge
Weybridge
Weybridge is a town in the Elmbridge district of Surrey in South East England. It is bounded to the north by the River Thames at the mouth of the River Wey, from which it gets its name...
in Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
. In the aftermath of the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Viking was an important airliner with British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
airlines pending the development of turboprop aircraft like the Viscount
Vickers Viscount
The Vickers Viscount was a British medium-range turboprop airliner first flown in 1948 by Vickers-Armstrongs, making it the first such aircraft to enter service in the world...
. An experimental airframe was fitted with Rolls-Royce Nene
Rolls-Royce Nene
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Bridgman, L, Jane's fighting aircraft of World War II. Crescent. ISBN 0-517-67964-7-External links:* *...
turbojets and first flown in 1948 as the world's first pure jet transport aircraft.
Design and development
The Ministry of Aircraft Production ordered three prototype Wellington Transport Aircraft to Air Ministry Specification 17/44 from Vickers-Armstrongs Limited. The specification was for a peacetime requirement for a medium-short haul passenger aircraft. To speed development the aircraft used the wing and undercarriage design from the WellingtonVickers Wellington
The Vickers Wellington was a British twin-engine, long range medium bomber designed in the mid-1930s at Brooklands in Weybridge, Surrey, by Vickers-Armstrongs' Chief Designer, R. K. Pierson. It was widely used as a night bomber in the early years of the Second World War, before being displaced as a...
but the fuselage was new. Although the original contract referred to Wellington Transport Aircraft, on completion, the name Viking was chosen.
The prototype (designated the Type 491 and registered G-AGOK) was built by the Vickers Experimental Department at its war-time Foxwarren dispersal site and was first flown by 'Mutt' Summers at Wisley Airfield
Wisley Airfield
-History:Built in 1944, the airfield was built for the flight testing of aircraft built at Vickers aircraft factory at the nearby Brooklands. New aircraft types making their first flights from Wisley included the Vickers VC.1 Viking, Valetta, Varsity, Viscount and Valiant...
on 22 June 1945. This aircraft crashed on 23 April 1946 due to a double engine failure; no fatalities occurred as a result of the crash. Following successful trials of the three prototypes the British Overseas Airways Corporation
British Overseas Airways Corporation
The British Overseas Airways Corporation was the British state airline from 1939 until 1946 and the long-haul British state airline from 1946 to 1974. The company started life with a merger between Imperial Airways Ltd. and British Airways Ltd...
(BOAC) ordered 19 aircraft. The first BOAC aircraft flew on 23 March 1946. The prototypes were then used for trials with the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
which lead to orders for military versions (the Viking C2 (12 ordered as freighter/transports) and modified Valetta C1
Vickers Valetta
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Andrews, C.F. and E.B. Morgan. Vickers Aircraft since 1908. London: Putnam, 1988. ISBN 0-85177-815-1....
).
Fuselage
The fuselage is an aircraft's main body section that holds crew and passengers or cargo. In single-engine aircraft it will usually contain an engine, although in some amphibious aircraft the single engine is mounted on a pylon attached to the fuselage which in turn is used as a floating hull...
s and fabric-clad geodetic wings and tail units. Following feedback from customers, the next 14 examples, known as the Viking 1, featured stressed-metal wings and tail units. The next variant, the Viking 1B, was 28 in (71 cm) longer, carrying 24 passengers with up-rated Bristol Hercules
Bristol Hercules
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Gunston, B. Classic World War II Aircraft Cutaways. Osprey. ISBN 1-85532-526-8*Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9...
piston engines, achieved a production run of 115. One of this batch was changed during production to be fitted with two Rolls-Royce Nene
Rolls-Royce Nene
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Bridgman, L, Jane's fighting aircraft of World War II. Crescent. ISBN 0-517-67964-7-External links:* *...
turbojet engines and upon its first flight on 6 April 1948 became the world's first entirely jet-powered airliner
Jet airliner
A jet airliner is an airliner that is powered by jet engines. This term is sometimes contracted to jetliner or jet.In contrast to today's relatively fuel-efficient, turbofan-powered air travel, first generation jet airliner travel was noisy and fuel inefficient...
(albeit only a prototype). The Type 618 Nene-Viking flew Heathrow-Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
on the anniversary of Blériot
Louis Blériot
Louis Charles Joseph Blériot was a French aviator, inventor and engineer. In 1909 he completed the first flight across a large body of water in a heavier-than-air craft, when he crossed the English Channel. For this achievement, he received a prize of £1,000...
's crossing of the Channel, 1948 taking only 34 minutes (c.210 mi/340 km, 370.6 mph/596.4 km/h). Some six years later, it was converted to a piston engined Viking.
Production finished in 1948, including 16 for the RAF and the King's Flight, but in 1952 BEA adapted some to a 38-passenger layout, taking the maximum payload up from 5,500-7,200 lb (2,500-3,300 kg). All Vikings featured a tailwheel undercarriage.
The 158th Viking became the prototype of the military Valetta, of which 261 were sold. When production of this strengthened but externally-similar type ended in 1951
1951 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1951:-Events:* Three aerial refueling points are installed on a modified United States Air Force B-29 Superfortress, making it the worlds first triple-point aerial tanker...
, a flying classroom version with tricycle undercarriage was already being delivered to the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
(RAF), called the Varsity
Vickers Varsity
-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Andrews, C.F. and E.B. Morgan. Vickers Aircraft since 1908. London: Putnam, 1988. ISBN 0-85177-815-1.* Ellis, Ken. Wrecks & Relics. Manchester, UK: Crecy Publishing, 21st edition, 2008. ISBN 9-780859-791342....
. All but one of those entered RAF service, the other example going to the Swedish Air Force
Swedish Air Force
The Swedish Air Force is the air force branch of the Swedish Armed Forces.-History:The Swedish Air Force was created on July 1, 1926 when the aircraft units of the Army and Navy were merged. Because of the escalating international tension during the 1930s the Air Force was reorganized and expanded...
. The production of 161 Varsities kept the Hurn works busy until January 1954, and they enjoyed a long service life. Examples are preserved at Brooklands Museum
Brooklands Museum
Brooklands Museum is an independent charitable trust, established in 1987, whose aim is to conserve, protect and interpret the unique heritage of the Brooklands site. It is located south of Weybridge, Surrey and was first opened regularly in 1991 on of the original 1907 motor-racing circuit...
, the Imperial War Museum Duxford and the Newark
Newark-on-Trent
Newark-on-Trent is a market town in Nottinghamshire in the East Midlands region of England. It stands on the River Trent, the A1 , and the East Coast Main Line railway. The origins of the town are possibly Roman as it lies on an important Roman road, the Fosse Way...
Air Museum.
Operational history
Joseph Summers
Captain Joseph "Mutt" Summers, CBE , was chief test pilot at Vickers-Armstrongs and Supermarine.During his career Summers flew numerous prototype aircraft , from the Supermarine Spitfire, to the Vickers Valiant...
on 22 June 1945 and the third aircraft built was delivered to BOAC at Hurn
Bournemouth Airport
Bournemouth Airport is an airport located north-northeast of Bournemouth, in southern England...
near Bournemouth on 20 April 1946. Upon the delivery of nine examples to BOAC for development flying, including the two remaining prototypes, British European Airways
British European Airways
British European Airways or British European Airways Corporation was a British airline which existed from 1946 until 1974. The airline operated European and North African routes from airports around the United Kingdom...
(BEA) was established on 1 August 1946 to operate airliners within Europe and these first VC.1 Vikings were transferred to the new airline
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
.
After a trial flight from Northolt to Oslo on 20 August 1946 by the newly formed BEA, the first regular Viking scheduled service commenced between Northolt and Copenhagen on 1 September 1946.
In all 163 Vikings were built. The initials "VC" stood for Vickers Civil, echoing the "DC" precedent set by the Douglas Aircraft Company
Douglas Aircraft Company
The Douglas Aircraft Company was an American aerospace manufacturer, based in Long Beach, California. It was founded in 1921 by Donald Wills Douglas, Sr. and later merged with McDonnell Aircraft in 1967 to form McDonnell Douglas...
of the USA, builders of the DC-1, DC-2 and DC-3 Douglas Dakota, the latter also bought by BEA and of a similar configuration to the Viking. Vickers soon ceased to use the 'VC' letters, instead using type numbers in the 49x and 600 series, which indicated the specific customer airline.
Airspeed Ambassador
The Airspeed AS.57 Ambassador was a British twin piston engined airliner that first flew on 10 July 1947 and served in small numbers through the 1950s and 1960s.-Design and development:...
and Vickers Viscount
Vickers Viscount
The Vickers Viscount was a British medium-range turboprop airliner first flown in 1948 by Vickers-Armstrongs, making it the first such aircraft to enter service in the world...
.
BEA sold their Vikings to several UK independent airlines for use on their growing scheduled and charter route networks. Some were sold to other European operators. An ex-BEA Viking 1B was fitted out as a VIP aircraft for the Arab Legion
Arab Legion
The Arab Legion was the regular army of Transjordan and then Jordan in the early part of the 20th century.-Creation:...
Air Force, mainly for the use of the King of Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
. Most Vikings had been retired from service by the mid 1960s and the sole surviving example in the UK is owned by Brooklands Museum where it is under long term restoration.
Variants
Viking- Prototypes with two 1,675 hp (1,250 kW) Bristol HerculesBristol Hercules|-See also:-Bibliography:*Gunston, B. Classic World War II Aircraft Cutaways. Osprey. ISBN 1-85532-526-8*Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9...
130 engines, three built.
Viking 1A
- Initial production version with geodetic wings and two 1,690 hp (1,261 kW) Bristol Hercules 630 engines.
Viking 1
- Production aircraft with stressed skin mainplanes and two 1,690 hp (1,261 kW) Bristol Hercules 634 engines.
Viking 1B
- Viking 1 with "long nose", 113 built.
Nene Viking
- One Viking 1B aircraft modified for trials with two 5,000 lbf (22.3 kN) Rolls-Royce Nene I turbojets.
Viking C2
- British military designation of the Viking 1; VIP transport aircraft for the King's Flight of the RAF.
Valetta C2
Vickers Valetta
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Andrews, C.F. and E.B. Morgan. Vickers Aircraft since 1908. London: Putnam, 1988. ISBN 0-85177-815-1....
- Modified design with strengthened floor and large freight door.
Varsity T1
Vickers Varsity
-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Andrews, C.F. and E.B. Morgan. Vickers Aircraft since 1908. London: Putnam, 1988. ISBN 0-85177-815-1.* Ellis, Ken. Wrecks & Relics. Manchester, UK: Crecy Publishing, 21st edition, 2008. ISBN 9-780859-791342....
- Modified Valletta design with tricycle undercarriage for navigation and crew training.
Type numbers
Type 491- First prototype
Type 495
- Second protoype
Type 496
- Third prototype
Type 498
- Viking 1A for British European Airways
Type 604
- Viking 1B for Indian National Airways with two Hecules 634 engines.
Type 607
- Valetta prototype for Ministry of Supply with two Hercules 634 engines.
Type 610
- Viking 1B for British European Airways
Type 613
- Projected fuel transport variant, not built.
Type 614
- Viking 1A for British European Airways
Type 615
- Viking 1 for the Argentine government with two Hercules 634 engines.
Type 616
- Viking 1 for Central African Airways
Type 618
- NeneRolls-Royce Nene|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Bridgman, L, Jane's fighting aircraft of World War II. Crescent. ISBN 0-517-67964-7-External links:* *...
Viking for Ministry of Supply
Type 620
- Viking 1 for the Argentine government with two Hercules 630 engines.
Type 621
- Viking C2 for the Royal Air Force with two Hercules 130 engines.
Type 623
- Viking C2 for the Royal Air Force with two Hercules 134 engines. Two ordered for use by the King's Flight for a royal tour of South Africa, one aircraft for the King and one for the Queen.
Type 624
- Viking C2 for the Royal Air Force with two Hercules 134 engines. One ordered for use by the King's Flight for a royal tour of South Africa for use by the state officials in 21-seat configuration.
Type 626
- Viking C2 for the Royal Air Force with two Hercules 134 engines. One ordered for use by the King's Flight for a royal tour of South Africa as a mobile workshop support aircraft.
Type 627
- Viking 1B for Airwork Limited
Type 628
- Viking 1B for DDL with two Hercules 634 engines.
Type 631
- Projected 34-seat variant, not built.
Type 632
- Viking 1B for Air India with two Hercules 634 engines.
Type 634
- Viking 1B for Aer Lingus with two Hercules 634 engines.
Type 635
- Viking 1B for South African Airways with two Hercules 634 engines.
Type 636
- Viking 1B demonstrator.
Type 637
- Valletta C1 for the Royal Air Force with two Hercules 230 engines.
Type 639
- Viking 1 for British European Airways
Type 641
- Viking 1 for Suidair International
Type 643
- Viking 1 for Suidair International with two Hercules 630 engines.
Type 644
- Viking 1B for Iraqi Airways
Type 649
- Viking 1B for Pakistan Air Force with two Hercules 634 engines.
Type 651
- Valetta C1 for the Royal Air Force with two Hercules 634 engines.
Type 657
- Vicking 1A conversions from Type 498 for BSAAC.
Civil operators
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- Argentine Civil Aeronautics Board
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- Indian National Airways
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- Government of Mexico
(Portuguese India
Portuguese India
The Portuguese Viceroyalty of India , later the Portuguese State of India , was the aggregate of Portugal's colonial holdings in India.The government started in 1505, six years after the discovery of a sea route to India by Vasco da Gama, with the nomination of the first Viceroy Francisco de...
)
- Transportes Aéreos da Índia PortuguesaTransportes Aéreos da Índia PortuguesaTAIP - Transportes Aéreos da Índia Portuguesa was an airline which operated from Portuguese India from 1955 to 1961...
South Africa
- Protea Airways
- South African AirwaysSouth African AirwaysSouth African Airways is the national flag carrier and largest airline of South Africa, with headquarters in Airways Park on the grounds of OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. The airline flies to 36 destinations worldwide from its hub at OR Tambo International...
- Suldair International Airways
- Trek AirwaysTrek AirwaysTrek Airways was an airline based in South Africa that operated from August 1953 until April 1994.-Company history:Founded in 1953, Trek Airways was the only South African airline apart from SAA to fly international services. At the beginning, flights were operated from Europe to South Africa with...
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Southern Rhodesia
- Central African AirwaysCentral African AirwaysCentral African Airways was formed in 1946 from the wartime Southern Rhodesian Air Services , which was in turn formed from the pre-war Rhodesia And Nyasaland Airways and Southern Rhodesia Air Force communications squadron...
- BalairBalairBalair was a Swiss airline that became BalairCTA when it merged with CTA/Compagnie de Transport Aerien in 1993. Balair had its headquarters in Basel.-Company history:...
- British West Indian Airways
- African Air Safaris
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- Airwork ServicesAirwork ServicesDuring the post-war period Airwork also further expanded its business into civil aviation. This expansion was financed by its wealthy shareholders, including Lord Cowdray, Whitehall Securities, the Blue Star shipping line, Furness Withy and Thomas Loel Evelyn Bulkeley Guinness.Airwork's other air...
- AutairCourt LineCourt Line was a prominent British holiday charter airline during the early 1970s based at Luton Airport in Bedfordshire. It also provided bus services in Luton and surrounding areas....
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- BKS Air Transport
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- British Overseas Airways CorporationBritish Overseas Airways CorporationThe British Overseas Airways Corporation was the British state airline from 1939 until 1946 and the long-haul British state airline from 1946 to 1974. The company started life with a merger between Imperial Airways Ltd. and British Airways Ltd...
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Military operators
- Argentine Air ForceArgentine Air ForceThe Argentine Air Force is the national aviation branch of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic. , it had 14,606 military and 6,854 civilian staff.-History:...
- Royal Australian Air ForceRoyal Australian Air ForceThe Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
- One Viking C2 in service from 1947 to 1951.- No. 2 Squadron RAAFNo. 2 Squadron RAAFNo. 2 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force squadron. From its formation in 1916, it has operated a variety of aircraft types including fighters, bombers, and Airborne Early Warning & Control.-World War I:No...
- No. 34 Squadron RAAFNo. 34 Squadron RAAFNo. 34 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. It is currently based at Canberra International Airport in the Australian capital Canberra, where it operates two Boeing 737 Business Jets and three Bombardier Challenger 604s.-History:...
- No. 2 Squadron RAAF
- Arab Legion Air ForceRoyal Jordanian Air ForceThe Royal Jordanian Air Force is the air force branch of the Jordanian Armed Forces.-Early days:...
- Royal Jordanian Air ForceRoyal Jordanian Air ForceThe Royal Jordanian Air Force is the air force branch of the Jordanian Armed Forces.-Early days:...
- Pakistan Air ForcePakistan Air ForceThe Pakistan Air Force is the leading air arm of the Pakistan Armed Forces and is primarily tasked with the aerial defence of Pakistan with a secondary role of providing air support to the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Navy. The PAF also has a tertiary role of providing strategic air transport...
- Royal Air ForceRoyal Air ForceThe Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
- Empire Test Pilots' SchoolEmpire Test Pilots' SchoolThe Empire Test Pilots' School is a British training school for test pilots and flight test engineers of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft at MoD Boscombe Down in Wiltshire, England. It was established in 1943, the first of its type...
- The King's Flight, RAF
- Empire Test Pilots' School
Accidents and incidents
Of the 163 aircraft built 56 aircraft were lost in accidents – the following were some notable accidents:- 5 April 1948 – G-AIVP operated by British European AirwaysBritish European AirwaysBritish European Airways or British European Airways Corporation was a British airline which existed from 1946 until 1974. The airline operated European and North African routes from airports around the United Kingdom...
collided with a Soviet1948 Gatow air disasterThe 1948 Gatow air disaster occurred on Monday 5 April 1948 when a British European Airways Vickers VC.1B Viking airliner crashed near RAF Gatow, Berlin, Germany after a mid-air collision with a Soviet Air Force Yakovlev Yak-3 fighter. All ten passengers and four crew on board the Viking were...
Yak-3 near Berlin, 15 killed. - 21 April 1948 – British European Airways Flight S200PBritish European Airways Flight S200POn 21 April 1948, while on approach to Glasgow-Renfrew Airport, Vickers VC.1 Viking, registration G-AIVE, flying British European Airways Flight S200P crashed into Irish Law Mountain in North Ayrshire, Scotland...
(G-AIVE) crashed on approach to Glasgow-Renfrew Airport. No one was killed but 14 were injured. - 8 February 1949 – OY-DLU operated by Det Danske LuftfartselskabDet Danske LuftfartselskabDet Danske Luftfartselskab A/S, or DDL, was Denmark's flag carrier airline since 1918, and is the oldest airline still in existence...
(DDL) crashed into the sea off CopenhagenCopenhagenCopenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
, DenmarkDenmarkDenmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, with the loss of all 27 occupants. - 31 October 1950 – G-AHPN operated by British European AirwaysBritish European AirwaysBritish European Airways or British European Airways Corporation was a British airline which existed from 1946 until 1974. The airline operated European and North African routes from airports around the United Kingdom...
crashed during a Ground Control Approach landing in bad visibility (40-50 yd) at London Northolt airportRAF NortholtRAF Northolt is a Royal Air Force station situated in South Ruislip, east by northeast of Uxbridge in the London Borough of Hillingdon, West London. Approximately north of London Heathrow Airport, the station also handles a large number of private civil flights...
, England. The pilot failed to overshoot and 25 passengers and three crew died and it was recommended that it be an offence for aircraft to go below a minimum height when ground visibility was low. - 17 February 1952 – G-AHPI operated by Hunting Air Travel flew into the La Cinta mountain range, Italy, with the loss of all 31 occupants.
- 5 January 1953 – G-AJDL operated by British European Airways crashed on approach1953 Nutts Corner Viking accidentThe 1953 Nutts Corner Viking accident was the 5 January 1953 crash of a British European Airways Vickers Viking airliner on approach to Belfast-Nutts Corner Airport in Northern Ireland. The Viking, registered G-AJDL and named Lord St Vincent, was on a domestic flight from London-Northolt Airport...
at BelfastBelfastBelfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
-Nutts Corner AirportRAF Nutts CornerRAF Nutts Corner was a Royal Air Force station in County Antrim near Belfast. It was originally a civil airfield, then it became a military airfield and subsequently Northern Ireland's main civil airport until the 1960s.-Civil operations:...
, Northern Ireland, three crew and 24 passengers died. - 1 May 1957 – G-AJBO operated by Eagle Aviation crashed after engine failure1957 Blackbushe Viking accidentThe 1957 Blackbushe Viking accident occurred on 1 May 1957 when an Eagle Aviation twin-engined Vickers VC.1 Viking registered G-AJBO crashed into trees near Blackbushe Airport, located in Hampshire, England, on approach following a suspected engine failure on take-off...
near Blackbushe AirportBlackbushe AirportBlackbushe Airport , in the civil parish of Yateley in the north-east corner of the English county of Hampshire, comprises an airfield, much reduced in size since its heyday, a British Car Auctions site, a kart track owned by Camberley Kart Club, and a small business park...
, England, five crew and 29 passengers died. - 2 September 1958 – G-AIJE operated by Independent Air Travel crashed into a house1958 London Vickers Viking accidentThe London Vickers Viking accident occurred on 2 September 1958 when an Independent Air Travel Vickers VC.1 Viking , loaded with two Bristol Proteus turboprop engines as cargo, and with three crew members aboard, attempted a flight from London Heathrow Airport to Tel Aviv via Nice, Brindisi and...
as the flight crew were trying to return to London Heathrow AirportLondon Heathrow AirportLondon Heathrow Airport or Heathrow , in the London Borough of Hillingdon, is the busiest airport in the United Kingdom and the third busiest airport in the world in terms of total passenger traffic, handling more international passengers than any other airport around the globe...
after reporting engine problems. All three crew died and four on the ground also died. - 9 August 1961 – G-AHPM operated by Cunard Eagle Airways crashed into a mountainside near HoltaHoltaHolta is a farm in Strand municipality in Rogaland, Norway. The farm is situated on the northern hills overlooking Bjørheimsvatn Lake. It is approximately 10 kilometres from Stavanger, with a 14-kilometre journey by sea....
on approach to Stavanger Airport, Sola in Norway with the loss of all 39 occupants. The Norwegian report on the incident concluded that the pilot was off-course for unknown reasons. The 50th anniversary was marked by a book published in summer 2011, The Lanfranc Boys by Rosalind Jones sister of Quentin Green one of the victims. - 11 September 1963 – F-BJER operated by Airnautic crashed into a mountain in the PyreneesPyreneesThe Pyrenees is a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain...
with the loss of all 40 occupants, the worst Viking accident.
Aircraft on display
Several Viking aircraft are on public display in aerospace museums worldwide, they include:- Viking 1A G-AGRU - On display/under restoration at the Brooklands MuseumBrooklands MuseumBrooklands Museum is an independent charitable trust, established in 1987, whose aim is to conserve, protect and interpret the unique heritage of the Brooklands site. It is located south of Weybridge, Surrey and was first opened regularly in 1991 on of the original 1907 motor-racing circuit...
, Surrey, England - Viking 1A G-AGRW - On display near Vienna International AirportVienna International AirportVienna International Airport , located in Schwechat and southeast of central Vienna, is the busiest and biggest airport in Austria. It is often referred to as Schwechat, the name of the county it is in. The airport is capable of handling wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A340...
, Austria - Viking 1 G-AHPB - Was displayed in Technorama Museum at WinterthurWinterthurWinterthur is a city in the canton of Zurich in northern Switzerland. It has the country's sixth largest population with an estimate of more than 100,000 people. In the local dialect and by its inhabitants, it is usually abbreviated to Winti...
, Switzerland. Scrapped. - Viking 1 ZS-DKH - Partly restored, preserved in South Africa at OR Tambo International Airport.
- Viking 1B T-9 - On display in Argentina
- Viking 1B J-750 - On display at the Pakistan Air Force Museum Karachi, Pakistan.
Specifications (Viking 1B)
See also
External links
- Progress - The Vickers "Nene/Viking" a 1949 advertisement in FlightFlight InternationalFlight International is a global aerospace weekly publication produced in the UK. Founded in 1909, it is the world's oldest continuously published aviation news magazine...
for Rolls-Royce engines