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Vickers VC.1 Viking

{{Short description|British airliner with 2 piston engines, 1945}}

{{About|the post-World War II airliner|the earlier single-engined amphibian|Vickers Viking}}

{{pp-pc1}}

{{More footnotes|date=February 2019}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}

{{Infobox aircraft

|name = VC.1 Viking

|image = Vickers Viking 1a - G-AGRN.jpg

|caption = Vickers Viking 1A, G-AGRN

|type = Airliner

|manufacturer = Vickers-Armstrongs Limited

|designer = R.K. Pierson

|first_flight = 22 June 1945

|introduction = 1946

|retired =

|status = Retired

|primary_user = British European Airways

|more_users =

|produced = 1945–1954

|number_built = 163

|unit cost =

|developed_from = Vickers Wellington

|variants = Vickers Valetta
Vickers Varsity

}}

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 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 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.Andrews and Morgan 1988, pp. 396–398.Taylor 1983, pp. 38–39. To speed development the aircraft used the wing and undercarriage design from the Wellington but the fuselage was new.Jackson 1988, p. 215. Although the original contract referred to Wellington Transport Aircraft, on completion, the name Viking was chosen.

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.Andrews and Morgan 1988, p. 398. This aircraft crashed on 23 April 1946 due to a double engine failure; no fatalities occurred as a result of the crash.{{Cite web |last=Ranter |first=Harro |title=ASN Aircraft accident Vickers 491 Viking 1A G-AGOK Effingham |url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19460423-0 |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=aviation-safety.net}} Following successful trials of the three prototypes the Ministry of Aircraft Production ordered 50 aircraft.Andrews and Morgan 1988, p. 402. 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 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 {{convert|222|mi}} took only 34 minutes. It then flew back to London in the afternoon. It obtained a maximum speed of {{convert|415|mph|abbr=on}} at {{convert|12000|ft|m|abbr=on}} and averaged {{convert|394|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.{{cite magazine |title=First Jet Transport |magazine=Flight |date=29 July 1948 |volume=LIV |issue=2066 |page=134 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1948/1948%20-%201180.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114010952/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1948/1948%20-%201180.html |archive-date=14 January 2014 |df=dmy-all }} 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.{{cite magazine |title=Civil Aviation: From Jets to Pistons |magazine=Flight |date=17 September 1954 |volume=66 |issue=2382 |page=464 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1954/1954%20-%202675.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114011000/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1954/1954%20-%202675.html |archive-date=14 January 2014 |df=dmy-all }}

Production finished in 1948, including 16 for the RAF of which four were for the King's Flight,{{cite book|author=Owen Thetford|title=Aircraft of the Royal Air Force|year=1988|edition=8th|page=649}} but in 1952 BEA adapted some to a 38-passenger layout, taking the maximum payload up from {{cvt|5,500 to 7,200|lb}}. 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.Green and Pollinger 1955, p. 184. 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,{{cite web|url=https://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/explore/our-collection/aircraft/varsity|title=Vickers 668 Varsity T.1|website=Brooklands Museum|publisher=Brooklands Museum Trust Ltd}} and the Newark Air Museum.{{cite web |title=Aircraft List |url=http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/Aircraft-List |website=Newark Air Museum}}

Operational history

File:BEA Viking 1B at Manchester.jpg 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.Taylor 1983, p. 39.

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.Chorlton Aeroplane Monthly Winter 2013, p. 81.

In all 163 Vikings were built. The initials "VC" stood for Vickers Commercial,Flight 24 May 1945 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, 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.Martin 1975, p. 26. 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.

Variants

;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 numbers=

;Type 491

:First prototypeTaylor 1983, p. 42.

;Type 495

:Second prototype

;Type 496

:Third prototype

;Type 498

:Viking 1A for British European Airways. Three later to Argentine Air Force.{{cn|date=October 2022|reason=citation to unreliable source removed}}

;Type 604

:Viking 1B for Indian National Airways with two Hercules 634 engines.Andrews and Morgan 1988, p. 501.

;Type 607

:Valetta prototype for Ministry of Supply with two Hercules 230 engines.

;Type 610

:Viking 1B for British European Airways.

;Type 613

:Projected fuel transport variant, not built.

;Type 614

:Viking 1 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

:Nene 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.Andrews and Morgan 1988, pp. 405, 501.Taylor 1983, p. 44.

;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

:Valetta C1 for the Royal Air Force with two Hercules 230 engines.

;Type 639

:Viking 1 for Hunting Air Transport.

;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.Andrews and Morgan 1988, p. 502.

;Type 651

:Valetta C1 for the Royal Air Force with two Hercules 634 engines.

;Type 657

:Viking 1A conversions from Type 498 for BSAAC.

Operators

=Civil operators=

File:Vickers Viking Aero-Transport 1958.jpg

; {{ARG}}

; {{AUT}}

  • Aero Transport

; {{BEL}}

  • Aviameer Airlines{{cite web | url = https://airlinehistory.co.uk/airline/aviameer-airlines/ | title = Aviameer Airlines | publisher = Airline History | access-date = 8 November 2021}}

; {{DEN}}

; {{EGY}}

; {{FRA}}

; {{GER}}

; {{IND}}

; {{IRQ}}

; {{IRL}}

; {{KUW}}

; {{MEX}}

  • Bernado Pasquelle
  • Government of Mexico

; {{POR}} (Portuguese India)

; {{PAK}}

; {{flag|South Africa|1928}}

File:CAA Vickers Viking at Heathrow.jpg

; {{flag|Southern Rhodesia}}

; {{SUI}}

; {{TRI}}

File:Vickers Viking G-APOP Channel Ringway 25.07.64 edited-2.jpg

File:Vickers Viking 1B G-AIVO Eagle Aws Ringway 07.59 edited-2.jpg

; {{GBR}}

=Military operators=

; {{ARG}}

  • Argentine Air Force - 30 aircraft.[http://www.gacetaeronautica.com/gaceta/wp-102/?p=2199 The Illustrated Catalogue to Argentine Air Force Aircraft, Gaceta Aeronautica, 2013] (accessed 2019-02-16) One (T-64, ex LV-XFM) used as presidential aircraft from 1948 to 1952.[https://aerospotter.blogspot.com/2011/06/la-corta-vida-de-un-viking.html La corta vida de un Viking, Roll Out website, 2011] (accessed 2019-02-16)

; {{AUS}}

; {{JOR}}

; {{PAK}}

; {{UK}}

Accidents and incidents

{{Main|List of accidents and incidents involving the Vickers VC.1 Viking}}

Of the 163 aircraft built 56 aircraft were lost in accidents – the following were some notable accidents:

  • {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1948|04|05|df=y}}|event=G-AIVP operated by British European Airways collided with a Soviet Yak-3 near Berlin, 15 killed.}}
  • {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1948|04|21|df=y}}|event=British European Airways Flight S200P (G-AIVE) crashed on approach to Glasgow-Renfrew Airport. No one was killed but 14 were injured.File:British European Airways Vickers Viking G-AIVE Remains - geograph.org.uk - 1240942.jpg, photographed in situ in 2007]]}}
  • {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1949|02|08|df=y}}|event=OY-DLU operated by Det Danske Luftfartselskab (DDL) crashed into the sea off Copenhagen, Denmark, with the loss of all 27 occupants.[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19490208-0 "ASN Aircraft accident Vickers 628 Viking 1B OY-DLU Barsebäck (Öresund)"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130193132/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19490208-0 |date=30 January 2012 }} aviation-safety.net.}}
  • {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1950|10|31|df=y}}|event=G-AHPN operated by British European Airways crashed during a Ground Control Approach landing in bad visibility ({{convert|40|-|50|yd}}) at London Northolt airport, England. The pilot failed to overshoot and 25 passengers and three crew died. It was subsequently recommended that it be an offence for aircraft to go below a minimum height when ground visibility was low.[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1951/1951%20-%202119.html "Lessons from an Accident."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102080427/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1951/1951%20-%202119.html |date=2 November 2012 }} "Flight", 19 October 1951, pp. 218–219. Retrieved: 6 August 2011.}}
  • {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1952|02|17|df=y}}|event=G-AHPI operated by Hunting Air Travel flew into the La Cinta mountain range, Italy, with the loss of all 31 occupants.[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19520217-0 "ASN Aircraft accident Vickers 614 Viking 1 G-AHPI Monte la Cinta"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024161842/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19520217-0 |date=24 October 2012 }} aviation-safety.net.}}
  • {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1953|01|05|df=y}}|event=G-AJDL operated by British European Airways crashed on approach at Belfast-Nutts Corner Airport, Northern Ireland, three crew and 24 passengers died.[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19530105-0 "ASN Aircraft accident Vickers 610 Viking 1B G-AJDL Belfast-Nutts Corner Airport"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110625014714/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19530105-0 |date=25 June 2011 }} aviation-safety.net.[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1953/1953%20-%200999.html "Finding of the Nutt's Corner Inquiry"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104120820/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1953/1953%20-%200999.html |date=4 November 2012 }}. Flight, 31 July 1953, p. 153.}}
  • {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1953|08|12|df=y}}|event=G-AIVG operated by British European Airways crashed on take-off at Le Bourget-Paris, France, four crew and 30 passengers injured but survived.[https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19530812-1 "ASN Aircraft accident Vickers 610 Viking 1B G-AIVG Paris Le Bourget Airport"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325025123/https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19530812-1 |date=25 March 2017 }} aviation-safety.net.}}
  • {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1957|05|01|df=y}}|event=G-AJBO operated by Eagle Aviation crashed after engine failure near Blackbushe Airport, England, five crew and 29 passengers died.}}
  • {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1958|09|02|df=y}}|event=G-AIJE operated by Independent Air Travel crashed into a house as the flight crew were trying to return to London Heathrow Airport after reporting engine problems. All three crew died and four on the ground also died.Flight 21 August 1959, p. 58.}}
  • {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1961|08|09|df=y}}|event=G-AHPM operated by Cunard Eagle Airways crashed into a mountainside near Holta on approach to Stavanger Airport, Sola in Norway with the loss of all 39 occupants.[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19610809-1 "ASN Aircraft accident Vickers 610 Viking 3B G-AHPM Stavanger"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606092130/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19610809-1 |date=6 June 2011 }} aviation-safety.net. The Norwegian report on the incident{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1962/1962%20-%202258.html|title=Flight International 4 October 1962 "Stavanger Accident Report"|website=flightglobal.com|access-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203164239/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1962/1962%20-%202258.html|archive-date=3 February 2017|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=42626|title=British Pathe News|website=britishpathe.com|access-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829170242/http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=42626|archive-date=29 August 2011|df=dmy-all}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://lanfranc-holtaheia.co.uk/|title=Stavanger Aircrash|first=Chris|last=Jones|website=lanfranc-holtaheia.co.uk|access-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913035202/http://lanfranc-holtaheia.co.uk/|archive-date=13 September 2017|df=dmy-all}}}} The aircraft carried 34 boys and 2 members of staff from The Archbishop Lanfranc School in Croydon.
  • {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1963|09|11|df=y}}|event=F-BJER operated by Airnautic crashed into a mountain in the Pyrenees with the loss of all 40 occupants, the worst Viking accident.[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19630911-2 "ASN Aircraft accident Vickers 610 Viking 1B F-BJER Pic de la Roquette"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104073502/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19630911-2 |date=4 November 2012 }} aviation-safety.net.}}

Aircraft on display

File:T-9 Vickers Viking Fuerza Aerea Argentina (7313012018).jpg, Museo Nacional de Aeronáutica de Argentina]]

File:VickersViking-G-AGRU.jpg 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

  • T-9 – Viking 1B on static display at the Museo Nacional de Aeronáutica de Argentina in Morón, Buenos Aires.{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier - Vickers Viking 1B, s/n T-9 ARA, c/n 163, c/r LV-XET|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=43581|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=6 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425160331/http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=43581|archive-date=25 April 2018|df=dmy-all}}

;Pakistan

  • J-750 – Viking 1B on static display at the Pakistan Air Force Museum in Karachi, Sindh.{{cite web|title=THE QUAID'S AIRCRAFT|url=http://www.pafmuseum.com.pk/attractions/the-quaid-s-aircraft|website=Pakistan Air Force Museum|access-date=6 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515145120/http://www.pafmuseum.com.pk/attractions/the-quaid-s-aircraft|archive-date=15 May 2017|df=dmy-all}}

;Switzerland

  • G-AIVG – Viking 1B under restoration to static display by the Vintage Aircraft Club at EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg in Basel.{{cite web|title=Das Projekt "Save-a-Viking"|url=http://www.save-a-viking.org/de/projekt.html|website=Save-a-Viking|access-date=6 June 2017|language=de|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330094236/http://www.save-a-viking.org/de/projekt.html|archive-date=30 March 2017|df=dmy-all}} It crashed at Le Bourget Airport on 12 August 1958.{{cite web|title=Der Unfall der "G-AIVG"|url=http://www.save-a-viking.org/de/unfall.html|website=Save-a-Viking|access-date=6 June 2017|language=de|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120180143/http://www.save-a-viking.org/de/unfall.html|archive-date=20 November 2008|df=dmy-all}} It uses undercarriage and other parts from Vickers Valetta VX577 destroyed by fire 24 January 1997.{{cite web|title=Was im Jahr 2010 bei "Save-a-Viking" geschah|url=http://www.save-a-viking.org/de/projekt2010.html|website=Save-a-Viking|access-date=6 June 2017|language=de|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425160332/https://www.save-a-viking.org/de/projekt2010.html|archive-date=25 April 2018|df=dmy-all}}{{failed verification|date=June 2017}}

;South Africa

  • ZS-DKH – Viking 1A under restoration to static display at the South African Airways Museum Society in Germiston, Gauteng.{{cite web|title=Vickers Viking VC.1A|url=http://www.saamuseum.co.za/index.php?id=74|website=SAA Museum Society|access-date=6 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425160332/http://www.saamuseum.co.za/index.php?id=74|archive-date=25 April 2018|df=dmy-all}}

;United Kingdom

  • G-AGRU – Viking 1A under major long-term restoration while on outdoor display at the Brooklands Museum in Weybridge, Surrey.{{cite web|title=Vickers 498 Viking 1A|url=http://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/explore/our-collection/aircraft/viking|website=Brooklands Museum|publisher=Brooklands Museum Trust Ltd|access-date=6 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003185316/https://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/explore/our-collection/aircraft/viking|archive-date=3 October 2017|df=dmy-all}}
  • 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)

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

{{Aircraft specs

|ref=Vickers Aircraft since 1908 Andrews and Morgan 1988, p. 416.

|prime units?=imp

|genhide=

|crew=

|capacity=

|length m=

|length ft=65

|length in=2

|span m=

|span ft=89

|span in=3

|height m=

|height ft=19

|height in=7

|wing area sqm=

|wing area sqft=882

|empty weight kg=

|empty weight lb=23000

|gross weight kg=

|max takeoff weight lb=34000

|fuel capacity={{convert|740|impgal|USgal L|abbr=on}}

|eng1 number=2

|eng1 name=Bristol Hercules 634

|eng1 type=14-cylinder two-row radial engines

|eng1 kw=

|eng1 hp=1690

|prop blade number=4

|prop name=de Havilland or Rotol constant-speed propellers

|prop dia m=

|prop dia ft=13

|prop dia in=3

|prop dia note =

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=

|max speed mph=263

|max speed kts=

|max speed note=at {{convert|1000|ft|m|abbr=on}}

|cruise speed kmh=

|cruise speed mph=210

|cruise speed note=Jackson 1988, p. 221.

|range km=

|range miles=1700

|range note=at {{convert|210|mph|kn km/h|abbr=on}}

|ceiling m=

|ceiling ft=25000

|climb rate ms=

|climb rate ftmin=1500

|more performance=*Take-off distance to 50 ft (15 m): {{convert|2550|ft|m|abbr=on}}Bridgman 1951, p. 92c.

  • Landing distance from 50 ft (15 m): {{convert|3900|ft|m|abbr=on}}

|avionics=

}}

See also

{{Aircontent|

|related=

|similar aircraft=

|lists=

|see also=

}}

References

;Notes

{{Reflist}}

;Bibliography

  • [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1959/1959%20-%201877.html "Air Commerce: The Southall Accident: Report of the Public Inquiry".] Flight, 21 August 1959, p. 58.
  • Andrews, C.F. and E.B. Morgan. Vickers Aircraft since 1908. London:Putnam, 1988. {{ISBN|0-85177-815-1}}.
  • Bailey-Watson, C. B. [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1945/1945%20-%201005.html "Vickers Viking"]. Flight, Vol. XLVII, No. 1900, 24 May 1945. pp. 556a–d, 557.
  • Bridgman, Leonard. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1951–52. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd, 1951.
  • Chorlton, Martyn. "Database: Vickers VC.1 Viking". Aeroplane, Vol. 41, No. 12, Winter 2013. pp. 74–87. {{ISSN|0143-7240}}.
  • Green, William and Gerald Pollinger. The Aircraft of the World. London: Macdonald, 1955.
  • Jackson, A.J. British Civil Aircraft 1919–1972: Volume III. London: Putnam, 1988. {{ISBN|0-85177-818-6}}.
  • Martin, Bernard. The Viking, Valetta and Varsity. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1975. {{ISBN|0-85130-038-3}}.
  • Taylor, H.A. "The Viking... Vickers Commercial One". Air Enthusiast, No. 21, April–July 1983, pp. 38–48. {{ISSN|0143-5450}}.

External links

{{Commons category|Vickers Viking}}

  • [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1948/1948%20-%201180.html "First Jet Transport"] a 1948 article in Flight
  • [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1949/1949%20-%200401.html Progress - The Vickers "Nene/Viking"] a 1949 advertisement in Flight for Rolls-Royce engines

{{Vickers aircraft}}

{{ADF aircraft designations}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vickers Vc.1 Viking}}

Category:1940s British airliners

VC.01 Viking

Category:Mid-wing aircraft

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1945

Category:Twin piston-engined tractor aircraft

Category:Aircraft with retractable conventional landing gear