The Vickers Viscount is a member of aviation’s aristocracy. It was a work-horse for the world that emerged on the airline scene in the early 1950s. Which powered by four, revolutionary Rolls-Royce Dart engines. When it entered service it was regarded as fast, full pressurized, comfortable, and a bargain (originally priced at less then 200,000 Pounds). Built like a tank. Flies like an angel, the Viscount produced at the Vickers Weybridge, Surrey factory from the late 1940s until the early 1960s.

In April, 1996, the Vickers Viscount 800 Last Passenger flights by the type. British World (formerly British Air Ferries) the last UK-based operator of the Vickers Viscount and a series of pleasure flights have flown from a number of airports across the UK, to give enthusiasts a last chance to fly in the aircraft. In this program we join such a flight from British World’s base at Southend Airport, and the Viscount’s retirement from passenger flying widely covered by the UK news media. Although the Viscount continued for a short period as a freighter with British World, the aircraft ended its career well-loved by passengers and crews alike, with a reputation built on 446 airframes serving sixty of the world’s airlines for the prior 43 plus years of service.