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Vickers VC.1 Viking

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The Vickers VC.1 Viking is 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. After 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. Military developments were the Vickers Valetta and the Vickers Varsity.

Design and developmentEdit

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 an interim short-medium haul passenger aircraft to serve until the more advanced designs specified by the Brabazon Committee (in particular, the Airspeed Ambassador and Armstrong Whitworth Apollo) could be developed.<ref name="Andrews and Morgan p396-8">Andrews and Morgan 1988, pp. 396–398.</ref><ref name="Taylor p38-9">Taylor 1983, pp. 38–39.</ref> To speed development the aircraft used the wing and undercarriage design from the Wellington but the fuselage was new.<ref name="Taylor p39"/><ref name="Jackson Civil v3 p215">Jackson 1988, p. 215.</ref> Although the original contract referred to Wellington Transport Aircraft, on completion, the name Viking was chosen.<ref name="Andrews and Morgan p396-8"/>

The first prototype (designated the Type 491 and registered G-AGOK) was built by the Vickers Experimental Department at its wartime Foxwarren dispersal site and was first flown by 'Mutt' Summers at Wisley Airfield on 22 June 1945.<ref name="Andrews and Morgan p398">Andrews and Morgan 1988, p. 398.</ref> This aircraft crashed on 23 April 1946<ref name="Taylor p39"/> due to a double engine failure; no fatalities occurred as a result of the crash.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Following successful trials of the three prototypes the Ministry of Aircraft Production ordered 50 aircraft.<ref name="Taylor p39"/><ref name="Andrews and Morgan p402">Andrews and Morgan 1988, p. 402.</ref> The first BOAC aircraft flew on 23 March 1946. The prototypes were then used for trials with the Royal Air Force which led to orders for military versions (the Viking C2 (12 ordered as freighter/transports) and the modified Valetta C1).

File:Vickers Nene Viking G-AJPH.jpg
The jet-powered Vickers Nene Viking G-AJPH

The initial 19 production aircraft (later designated the Viking 1A) carried 21 passengers, they had metal fuselages and - except for the wing inboard of the nacelles - 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 so that it could be fitted with two Rolls-Royce Nene turbojet engines, with its first flight on 6 April 1948.

On 25 July 1948, on the 39th anniversary of Blériot's crossing of the English Channel, the Type 618 Nene-Viking flew Heathrow–Paris (Villacoublay) in the morning carrying letters to Bleriot's widow and son (secretary of the FAI), who met it at the airport. The flight of Template:Convert took only 34 minutes. It then flew back to London in the afternoon. It obtained a maximum speed of Template:Convert at Template:Convert and averaged Template:Convert.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In 1954 it was bought from the Ministry of Supply and underwent the substantial conversion to Hercules 634 piston engines by Eagle Aviation to join their fleet.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Production finished in 1948, including 16 for the RAF of which four were for the King's Flight,<ref name="Thetford RAF">Template:Cite book</ref> but in 1952 BEA adapted some to a 38-passenger layout, taking the maximum payload up from Template:Cvt. All Vikings featured a tailwheel undercarriage.

The 58th Viking (c/n 158) became the prototype of the military Valetta, of which 262 were produced for the RAF. When production of this strengthened but externally similar type ended in 1952, a flying classroom version with tricycle undercarriage was already being delivered to the Royal Air Force (RAF), called the Varsity.<ref>Green and Pollinger 1955, p. 184.</ref> 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. Six examples are preserved, including at Brooklands Museum,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and the Newark Air Museum.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Operational historyEdit

File:BEA Viking 1B at Manchester.jpg
BEA Vickers Viking 1B G-AHPO "Venturer" at Manchester Airport in 1952

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.<ref name="Taylor p39">Taylor 1983, p. 39.</ref>

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 Airport on 1 September 1946.<ref name="database p81">Chorlton Aeroplane Monthly Winter 2013, p. 81.</ref>

In all 163 Vikings were built. The initials "VC" stood for Vickers Commercial,<ref>Flight 24 May 1945</ref> echoing the "VC" precedent set by the earlier Vimy Commercial of 1919. Vickers soon ceased to use the 'VC' letters, instead using type numbers in the 49x and 600 series, which indicated the specific customer airline.

File:Viking 1B VK500 Arab Legion Air Force BLA 04.55.jpg
Viking 1B of the Arab Legion Air Force (Jordan) at Blackbushe Airport, Hants, in April 1955

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.<ref>Martin 1975, p. 26.</ref> Most Vikings had been retired from service by the mid-1960s and there are now only six extant worldwide with two surviving examples in the UK, both being under long-term major restoration.

VariantsEdit

Viking
Prototypes with two 1,675 hp (1,250 kW) Bristol Hercules 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 C1 & C2
Modified design with strengthened floor and large freight door.
Varsity T1
Highly modified Valetta design with tricycle undercarriage for navigation and crew training.

Type numbersEdit

Type 491
First prototype<ref name="Taylor p42">Taylor 1983, p. 42.</ref>
Type 495
Second prototype<ref name="Taylor p42"/>
Type 496
Third prototype<ref name="Taylor p42"/>
Type 498
Viking 1A for British European Airways.<ref name="Taylor p42"/> Three later to Argentine Air Force.Template:Cn
Type 604
Viking 1B for Indian National Airways with two Hercules 634 engines.<ref name="Taylor p42"/><ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501">Andrews and Morgan 1988, p. 501.</ref>
Type 607
Valetta prototype for Ministry of Supply with two Hercules 230 engines.<ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501"/>
Type 610
Viking 1B for British European Airways.<ref name="Taylor p42"/>
Type 613
Projected fuel transport variant, not built.
Type 614
Viking 1 for British European Airways.<ref name="Taylor p42"/>
Type 615
Viking 1 for the Argentine government with two Hercules 634 engines.<ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501"/>
Type 616
Viking 1 for Central African Airways.
Type 618
Nene Viking for Ministry of Supply.<ref name="Taylor p42"/>
Type 620
Viking 1 for the Argentine government with two Hercules 630 engines.<ref name="Taylor p42"/><ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501"/>
Type 621
Viking C2 for the Royal Air Force with two Hercules 130 engines.<ref name="Taylor p42"/><ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501"/>
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.<ref name="Andrews and Morgan p405,501">Andrews and Morgan 1988, pp. 405, 501.</ref><ref name="Taylor p44">Taylor 1983, p. 44.</ref>
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.<ref name="Andrews and Morgan p405,501"/>
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.<ref name="Andrews and Morgan p405,501"/>
Type 627
Viking 1B for Airwork Limited.<ref name="Taylor p42"/>
Type 628
Viking 1B for DDL with two Hercules 634 engines.<ref name="Taylor p42"/><ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501"/>
Type 631
Projected 34-seat variant, not built.<ref name="Taylor p42"/>
Type 632
Viking 1B for Air India with two Hercules 634 engines.<ref name="Taylor p42"/><ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501"/>
Type 634
Viking 1B for Aer Lingus with two Hercules 634 engines.<ref name="Taylor p42"/><ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501"/>
Type 635
Viking 1B for South African Airways with two Hercules 634 engines.<ref name="Taylor p42"/><ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501"/>
Type 636
Viking 1B demonstrator.<ref name="Taylor p42"/>
Type 637
Valetta C1 for the Royal Air Force with two Hercules 230 engines.<ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501"/>
Type 639
Viking 1 for Hunting Air Transport.<ref name="Taylor p42"/><ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501"/>
Type 641
Viking 1 for Suidair International
Type 643
Viking 1 for Suidair International with two Hercules 630 engines.<ref name="Taylor p42"/><ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501"/>
Type 644
Viking 1B for Iraqi Airways.<ref name="Taylor p42"/><ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501"/>
Type 649
Viking 1B for Pakistan Air Force with two Hercules 634 engines.<ref name="Taylor p42"/><ref name="Andrews and Morgan p502">Andrews and Morgan 1988, p. 502.</ref>
Type 651
Valetta C1 for the Royal Air Force with two Hercules 634 engines.<ref name="Andrews and Morgan p502"/>
Type 657
Viking 1A conversions from Type 498 for BSAAC.<ref name="Andrews and Morgan p502"/>

OperatorsEdit

Civil operatorsEdit

File:Vickers Viking Aero-Transport 1958.jpg
Vickers Viking 1 of Aero-Transport (Austria) in 1958
Template:ARG
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flag||Austria}}
  • Aero Transport
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flag||Belgium}}

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:DEN
  • DDL<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
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  • Misrair<ref name="Taylor p48">Taylor 1983, p. 48.</ref>
{{#invoke
flag||France}}
Template:GER
  • Aero Express Flug<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
  • Aerotour
  • Colombus Luftreederei
  • Condor
  • Deutsche Flugdienst
  • LTU International
  • Transavia Flug
{{#invoke
flag||India}}
Template:IRQ
  • Iraqi Airways<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
  • Iraq Petroleum Transport Company<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
{{#invoke
flag||Ireland}}
Template:KUW
Template:MEX
  • Bernado Pasquelle
  • Government of Mexico
Template:POR (Portuguese India)
Template:PAK
Template:Flag
File:CAA Vickers Viking at Heathrow.jpg
Central African Airways Vickers Viking at London Heathrow in May 1953
Template:Flag
Template:SUI
Template:TRI
File:Vickers Viking G-APOP Channel Ringway 25.07.64 edited-2.jpg
Viking C.2 of Channel Airways at Manchester Ringway on 25 July 1964
File:Vickers Viking 1B G-AIVO Eagle Aws Ringway 07.59 edited-2.jpg
Viking 1B of Eagle Airways at Manchester Ringway in July 1959
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Military operatorsEdit

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Accidents and incidentsEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Of the 163 aircraft built 56 aircraft were lost in accidents – the following were some notable accidents:

Aircraft on displayEdit

File:T-9 Vickers Viking Fuerza Aerea Argentina (7313012018).jpg
T-9, ex Argentine Air Force, Museo Nacional de Aeronáutica de Argentina
File:VickersViking-G-AGRU.jpg
G-AGRU under restoration at the Brooklands Museum in 2009

Of the 163 Vikings produced, only six survive today; five can be found in museums around the world, while a sixth airframe was stored at an airfield near Vienna in Austria until dismantled in late April 2023. Acquired by the Blackbushe Heritage Trust, it is returning to the UK in early May for restoration and display at Blackbushe Airport in Surrey.

Argentina

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Pakistan

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Switzerland

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> It crashed at Le Bourget Airport on 12 August 1958.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It uses undercarriage and other parts from Vickers Valetta VX577 destroyed by fire 24 January 1997.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Failed verification

South Africa

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United Kingdom

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • G-AGRW – Viking 1A delivered by the Blackbushe Heritage Trust to Blackbushe Airport, Hampshire, on 2nd May 2023 from long term outdoor storage stored outdoors at Bad Vöslau airfield, Austria, for major restoration at this former Viking engineering maintenance base.

Specifications (Viking 1B)Edit

File:Vickers Viking 1B 3-view silhouette.jpg
Vickers Viking 1B

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See alsoEdit

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ReferencesEdit

Notes

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Bibliography

External linksEdit

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