1/20/1959: Maiden Flight of the Vickers Vanguard

DALLAS — Today, in 1959, the British-built Vickers Vanguard made its maiden flight. The aircraft with the registration G-AOYW flew a short distance from Weybridge to nearby Wisley, Surrey. The Vickers Vanguard was designed as a larger and longer-range successor to the popular Vickers Viscount.

Discussions between Vickers and British European Airways (BEA) for a successor to the Vickers Viscount began in 1953, the same year the Viscount entered service. BEA had specific requirements for the new aircraft, including the capacity to carry over 100 passengers, a range of 1,000 miles, and a cruising speed of 370 knots. Trans-Canada Air Lines (TCA) also expressed interest in the new airliner, although with slightly different requirements.

The Vickers Vanguard was developed as a higher-capacity and longer-range successor to the Vickers Viscount. Both BEA and Trans-Canada Airlines operated the aircraft. The Vanguard aimed to fly short- and medium-haul routes, succeeding the popular Viscount. However, the introduction of modern jet aircraft, which marked a new generation of flying, overshadowed the Vovkers plane.

A Tale of Two Aircraft

With two interested parties, Vickers was able to launch the Vanguard formally. Two types would be built to suit the launch customers' specifications: Type 951 for BEA and Type 952 for TCA, which had higher seating and cargo capacity. BEA ordered 20 in July 1956, and TCA ordered 20 in January 1957.

Trans-Canada Air Lines would place the Vanguard into service in February 1961, beating BEA by a month. Indeed, TCA's Type 952's additional features soon caught the attention of BEA, who approached Vickers to ask for a new variant. This was known as the Type 953, and BEA would change its order with six Type 951s and fourteen Type 953s delivered.

Retirement

After its merger with BOAC to form British Airways (BA) in 1972, BEA proceeded to retire the Vanguard. However, the aircraft would continue to be utilized by the carrier until 1979, albeit in a freighter configuration known as the 'Merchantman.'

The Vanguard aircraft were subsequently transferred to Air Bridge Carriers, which later became known as Hunting Cargo Airlines. It was with great honor that they operated the final ever Vanguard flight on September 30, 1996.

Featured image: G-AOYW taxiing out on a wet morning for its maiden flight.

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