BILL PIPPIN COLLECTION
No. 5104. Vickers 618 Nene Viking (G-AJPH c/n 207)
Aeroplane Photo Supply (APS) Photo No. 4657

Vickers 618 Nene Viking

01/22/2007. Remarks by Jack McKillop: "This aircraft was built as a Nene Viking with the normal reciprocating engines replaced with Rolls-Royce Nene turbojet engines. It was delivered to the Minister of Civil Aviation and registered G-AJPH, made its first flight on April 6, 1948 and was transferred to the Minister of Supply in March 1949 and received the serial VX856. It was used for test flights until sold to Eagle Aircraft Services in December 1953 and converted to a Viking Mk.1B freighter with reciprocating engines and a large loading door.

Named 'Lord Dundonald' it entered commercial service in September 1954. A second conversion took place in July 1960 when it was converted to the Viking Mk. 3B configuration. In 1960, the Cunard Steamship Co. bought 100% of the stock of Eagle Airways and the company was renamed Cunard Eagle Airways in 1961. Also in 1961, this aircraft was withdrawn from service and placed in storage at Heathrow Airport, London, England, and scrapped in 1962; the parts were disposed of in a gravel pit at Bedfont, Feltham, Middlesex, England."


Created March 15, 2006