In the past weeks I've come across a number of photos of Viscount 701 G-ALWF both before, after and while preserved at Speke. Before starting a new thread, discovered that there was indeed (hardly surprisingly) one already started, but languishing well back in the index pages. I've deleted a post which had had the images removed and unrecoverable, and 'Samba' has kindly restored the image in his post which had been 'Photobucketed' (deleted by the third party hosting site).
This image is also on a '50s Speke photo thread, but is interesting to repeat here to compare with a current photo of her at Duxford painted in those some colours - her first colour scheme from new. Photo is likely in the early 60s once BEA started using Viscount 701s on their Irish Sea routes. G-ALWF also flew in the wide black window depth cheat line and red square logo scheme while with BEA.
From BEA the aircraft was sold to Channel Airways. During the time with Channel it was leased to British Eagle in 'Eagle's full scheme with fleet name "City of Truro". This photo at Speke was while the aircraft was being flown by British Eagle before repaint. Shortly after the lease to British Eagle ended it was sold to Cambrian Airways.
G-ALWF's initial colour scheme with Cambrian Airways, photo dated 21st February 1966, tucked in close outside Hangar No.2, only days after delivery to Cambrian.
A shot of G-ALWF at Liverpool in a subsequent Cambrian scheme, incorporating the 'BAS' initials in the cheat-line. Most likely circa 1968. Slight colour shift on this scan from an Agfa slide.
This is her final scheme while in active airline service with Cambrian/British Air Services as seen at Speke in summer 1971. During her time with Cambrian she wore 4 different colour schemes, the 2nd scheme being the 'white cabin' scheme with maroon narrow cheat, while the 3nd scheme was similar to the last, but with a much paler blue tail and British Air Services titles.
A commercial quality b&w near A4 print of G-ALWF at Ronaldsway/Isle of Man Airport (orginally stated as Cardiff/Rhoose but as pointed out in a later post that assumption is categorically wrong!). No date or photographer's stamp on the reverse of the print, but clearly a publicity shot.
The following 7 photos, all professionally produced as glossy near A4 prints by the Liverpool City Engineers Photography Unit of the ceremony held to open G-ALWF to the public under the auspices of the 'Viscount Preservation Trust'. Paul St.John Turner, who 'masterminded' the project to bring the oldest surviving Viscount to Liverpool on its retirement from active service features on most, along with the Lord Mayor of Liverpool. Apart from the City Engineers date stamp there are no notes on the back of the prints. The photos are dated 5th December 1972, so it must have been fairly chilly in the back of No.1 hangar!
Paul St.John Turner addressing the invited audience
Lord Mayor's address
Ascending the rear stairs prior to the next photo:
The Lord Mayor cutting the tape to declare the aircraft 'open'.
In the cabin with the aircraft's Log Book.
In the cockpit - everything still functional as the aircraft was very much as it was when it flew into Liverpool
The Lord Mayor, Lady Mayor and Paul St.John Turner descending the steps after the first official tour of the aircraft.
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Although initially fairly successful as an exhibit at the Airport, the timing was unfortunate as due to aircraft hi-jackings, security was stepped across Britain's Airports. This complicated getting visitors to and from the aircraft in No.1 hangar as it was on the 'wrong' side of new security barriers. The cost of looking after the aircraft with no income and no likelihood of viable public exhibition, put the future of the aircraft in doubt. Eventually it was pulled around behind No.2 hangar and stored in the open with the outer wings removed. It was donated to the Duxford Aviation Society, who over a period of several months dismantled it into moveable sections. This photo, from Bank's Lane on either 10th or 25th January 1976 shows the dismantling process - the wing spar bolts proved extremely difficult to extract and delayed the move to Duxford. If anyone wonders, the Boeing 707 on the finger apron is a Sudan Airways machine!
HISTORY LESSON, G-ALWF
G-ALWF was built as C/no.5, the third Vickers Viscount 700 (the first 2 prototypes being 600 series) and the second production aircraft and the second for
British European Airways. First flight at Weybridge 3rd December 1952, landing at Wisley. C of A was issued 9th February 1953 and the aircraft delivered to BEA 13th February with the fleet name 'Sir John Franklin'. Initially used on intensive training and route proving programme prior to type introduction. A partial undercarriage collapse at Blackbushe 12.12.54 damaged undercarriage, flaps and Starboard propeller. Entered service configured for 40 first or 47 second class seats, in 1960 was converted to 60 to 63 seat configuration.
Sold to
Channel Airways 6th December 1963 and delivered to Southend 31st March 1963. Leased to
British Eagle International Airways and delivered to Speke 18th November 1964 named 'City of Exeter'. Returned to
Channel Airways May 1965 minus titles until delivered to Rhoose 15th December 1965, on sale to
Cambrian Airways. After overhaul and re-spray, delivered Cambridge to Speke 13th February 1966.
Last revenue flight was made on 24th December 1971, Cardiff-Bristol-Belfast-Bristol-Cardiff, then withdrawn from use. Final flight, 12th April 1972 as CS 1972 was flown by Capts GA Perrott and J Nelmes routed Rhoose-Heathrow-Liverpool for static exhibition at Liverpool by the newly formed Viscount Preservation Trust (VPT). It had recorded a total time of 38,299 hours, 35,938 landings and had flown an estimated 800,000 passenger nearly 7 million miles in a 19 year career. She was then, and still is, also the oldest original turbine-engine powered aircraft in existence.
With free hangarage provided by the Corporation of Liverpool, she was officially opened to the public by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool on 5th December 1972. However tightening of security regulations at the Airport during 1973 public access to the hangar was banned, even to the preservationists. The outer wings were removed to keep two other Viscounts (G-AMOG & G-AMON) in service. In 1975 the Duxford Aviation Society (DAS) acquired the aircraft to add to their expanding collection at Duxford. After a lengthy dismantling process during the winter months, the fuselage eventually set out for Duxford on 21st February 1976, with the wings and components following a week later. At Duxford it has been completely rebuilt and on public exhibition since.
Adapted from 'Vickers Viscount and Vanguard' Peter W Davis, published by Air Britain, 1981.
More on:
www.vickersviscount.net/index/VickersViscount005History.aspxdas.org.uk/vickers-v701-viscount-g-alwf/
