AND FINALLY: The Vickers Viscount

Through the wonders of YouTube we have discovered some historical film of the last ever Vickers Viscount flight into Heathrow in April 1996.

For aviation buffs it is well worth a look and features Sir George Edwards, the aircraft's chief designer; Sir Peter Masefield, Chairman of BEA during the Viscounts' sojourn with the airline; Lord King, then Chairman of British Airways; and Sir Ralph Robins, at the time Chairman of Rolls-Royce; plus Jock Bryce, the Vickers Test Pilot who partnered Matt Summers for the maiden flight on 16 July 1948.

The two short pieces are from The News at Ten and London Tonight, both on ITV.  Overseeing the proceedings was Raymond Baxter, who himself was part of the Viscount team in the 1953 air race to New Zealand.

All concerned had to wait at the BA Heathrow engineering base for over two hours whilst the aircraft was flown down from Aberdeen due to the planned plane suffering damage at Stansted whilst being towed to a stand.

No histrionics at all from the distinguished senior aviation VIPS who waited.  They rather enjoyed the compulsory chat time!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiBTO9DEJYk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQLA817O2IM&feature=related

(If any reader is able to make the News at Ten pieces into one item and post it on YouTube it would be appreciated – please tell AERBT).

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