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British Midland/Invicta Viscount

Posted: 09 Jan 2008, 00:10
by Garry Russell
1969 saw Invicta taken over by BMA. This aircraft was transferred to operate services for new joint Venture.

Hardly an inspiring livery adaption.....photo's of this are rare. The following year Invicta became once more an independant and moved into Vanguards operations.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Ready for download from http://classicbritishfiles.com

Garry

Re: British Midland/Invicta Viscount

Posted: 09 Jan 2008, 00:30
by DaveB
Another CORKER Garry ;-)

It looks odd and it is.. given it's history! Another one ticked off :thumbsup:

ATB

DaveB :tab:

Re: British Midland/Invicta Viscount

Posted: 09 Jan 2008, 00:42
by Garry Russell
Cheers Dave

I just came across the pic yesterday :)

The two Invicta 700's G-AOCB and OCC were sent to BMA and OCC was withdrawn pretty well there and then. I read at the time that Manston recieved a Viscount in a temp hybrid and always thought it must have been OCB with new titles and logo on the Invicta livery

But nope......39 years later I get the answer........not even close :lol:

On a side note this particular machine was damaged beyond repair when an engine caught fire on take off from Heathrow.

It was parted out and the remains scrapped but the nose was stored for many years

This nose section is now submerged in a quarry in use as a diving school.

Garry

Re: British Midland/Invicta Viscount

Posted: 09 Jan 2008, 01:08
by DaveB
What a s h 1 t e way to go :-( I know it's only bits of metal but there are limits :'(

ATB

DaveB :tab:

Re: British Midland/Invicta Viscount

Posted: 09 Jan 2008, 01:24
by Garry Russell
The accident had a touch of Irony

BMA were operating a motley fleet of V.700, 700D and 810's

So they sold them off in favour of a more standerdised fleet by buying the SAA V.813 and some V.814 from Lufthansa.

This aircraft was an 814 and the only member of the original collection compatable with the replacements....sometimes you just can't win :lol:

Garry

Re: British Midland/Invicta Viscount

Posted: 09 Jan 2008, 01:26
by Garry Russell

Re: British Midland/Invicta Viscount

Posted: 09 Jan 2008, 01:55
by DaveB
Indeed.. but on the positive side (not like me to look for ANY positive side..) she's still performing a valuable duty and her history is not lost on those that dive on her. Although her final resting place could be much better.. it could also be much worse. I feel much better having seen that site ;-)

ATB

DaveB :tab:

Re: British Midland/Invicta Viscount

Posted: 09 Jan 2008, 19:38
by ianhind
According to my notes, G-AWXI was dbr on 22/1/70. So an anniversary soon!

And the V814 Viscounts arrived for BMA in "Nora Air Services" colours. D-ANIP (to G-BAPE) and D-ANUN (to G-BAPF) noted at EMA in June and March 1972 respectively.

Unfortunately I missed any of the V813 as they were delivered.

Re: British Midland/Invicta Viscount

Posted: 09 Jan 2008, 20:37
by Garry Russell
That Nora Air Service livery was a shocker :$ ....what were they thinking.

Garry

Re: British Midland/Invicta Viscount

Posted: 09 Jan 2008, 20:45
by ianhind
Ah yes - just been to http://www.vickersviscount.net to take a look at D-ANUN.

I think that I must have deliberately forgotten this one - have you done a repaint of this Garry?