View source for Vickers VC.1 Viking

{{Short description|British airliner with 2 piston engines, 1945}}
{{About|the post-World War II airliner|the earlier single-engined amphibian|Vickers Viking}}
{{pp-pc1}}
{{More footnotes|date=February 2019}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Infobox aircraft
  |name    = VC.1 Viking
  |image   = Vickers Viking 1a - G-AGRN.jpg
  |caption = Vickers Viking 1A, G-AGRN
  |type                             = Airliner
  |manufacturer                     = [[Vickers-Armstrongs|Vickers-Armstrongs Limited]]
  |designer                         = [[R.K. Pierson]]
  |first_flight                     = 22 June 1945
  |introduction                     = 1946
  |retired                          = 
  |status                           = Retired
  |primary_user                     = [[British European Airways]]
  |more_users                       = <!--up to three more. please separate with <br />.-->
  |produced                         = 1945–1954
  |number_built                     = 163
  |unit cost                        = 
  |developed_from                   = [[Vickers Wellington]]
  |variants = [[Vickers Valetta]]<br />[[Vickers Varsity]]
}}

The '''Vickers VC.1 Viking''' is a British twin-engine short-range [[airliner]] derived from the [[Vickers Wellington]] [[bomber]] and built by [[Vickers-Armstrongs|Vickers-Armstrongs Limited]] at [[Brooklands]] near [[Weybridge]] in [[Surrey]]. After the [[Second World War]], the Viking was an important airliner with [[United Kingdom|British]] airlines, pending the development of turboprop aircraft like the [[Vickers Viscount|Viscount]]. An experimental airframe was fitted with [[Rolls-Royce Nene]] turbojets and first flown in 1948 as the world's first pure [[Jet airliner|jet transport aircraft]]. Military developments were the [[Vickers Valetta]] and the [[Vickers Varsity]].

==Design and development==

The [[Ministry of Aircraft Production]] ordered three prototype ''Wellington Transport Aircraft'' to [[Air Ministry Specification]] 17/44 from [[Vickers-Armstrongs Limited]]. The specification was for a peacetime requirement for an interim short-medium haul passenger aircraft to serve until the more advanced designs specified by the [[Brabazon Committee]] (in particular, the [[Airspeed Ambassador]] and [[Armstrong Whitworth Apollo]]) could be developed.<ref name="Andrews and Morgan p396-8">Andrews and Morgan 1988, pp. 396–398.</ref><ref name="Taylor p38-9">Taylor 1983, pp. 38–39.</ref> To speed development the aircraft used the wing and undercarriage design from the [[Vickers Wellington|Wellington]] but the fuselage was new.<ref name="Taylor p39"/><ref name="Jackson Civil v3 p215">Jackson 1988, p. 215.</ref> Although the original contract referred to Wellington Transport Aircraft, on completion, the name Viking was chosen.<ref name="Andrews and Morgan p396-8"/>

The first prototype (designated the Type 491 and registered G-AGOK) was built by the Vickers Experimental Department at its wartime Foxwarren dispersal site and was first flown by 'Mutt' Summers at [[Wisley Airfield]] on 22 June 1945.<ref name="Andrews and Morgan p398">Andrews and Morgan 1988, p. 398.</ref> This aircraft crashed on 23 April 1946<ref name="Taylor p39"/> due to a double engine failure; no fatalities occurred as a result of the crash.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ranter |first=Harro |title=ASN Aircraft accident Vickers 491 Viking 1A G-AGOK Effingham |url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19460423-0 |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=aviation-safety.net}}</ref> Following successful trials of the three prototypes the Ministry of Aircraft Production ordered 50 aircraft.<ref name="Taylor p39"/><ref name="Andrews and Morgan p402">Andrews and Morgan 1988, p. 402.</ref> The first BOAC aircraft flew on 23 March 1946. The prototypes were then used for trials with the [[Royal Air Force]] which led to orders for military versions (the Viking C2 (12 ordered as freighter/transports) and the modified [[Vickers Valetta|Valetta C1]]).

[[File:Vickers Nene Viking G-AJPH.jpg|thumb|left|The jet-powered Vickers [[Rolls-Royce Nene|Nene]] Viking ''G-AJPH'']]

The initial 19 production aircraft (later designated the '''Viking 1A''') carried 21 passengers, they had metal [[fuselage]]s and - except for the wing inboard of the nacelles - fabric-clad [[geodetic airframe|geodetic]] wings and tail units. Following feedback from customers, the next 14 examples, known as the '''Viking 1''', featured stressed-metal wings and tail units. The next variant, the '''Viking 1B''', was 28&nbsp;in (71&nbsp;cm) longer, carrying 24 passengers with up-rated [[Bristol Hercules]] piston engines, achieved a production run of 115. One of this batch was changed during production to so that it could be fitted with two [[Rolls-Royce Nene]] turbojet engines, with its first flight on 6 April 1948.

On 25 July 1948, on the 39th anniversary of [[Louis Blériot|Blériot]]'s crossing of the English Channel, the '''Type 618 Nene-Viking''' flew [[Heathrow]]–[[Paris]] ([[Vélizy – Villacoublay Air Base|Villacoublay]]) in the morning carrying letters to Bleriot's widow and son (secretary of the FAI), who met it at the airport. The flight of {{convert|222|mi}} took only 34 minutes. It then flew back to London in the afternoon. It obtained a maximum speed of {{convert|415|mph|abbr=on}} at {{convert|12000|ft|m|abbr=on}} and averaged {{convert|394|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=First Jet Transport |magazine=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=29 July 1948 |volume=LIV |issue=2066 |page=134 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1948/1948%20-%201180.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114010952/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1948/1948%20-%201180.html |archive-date=14 January 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In 1954 it was bought from the Ministry of Supply and underwent the substantial conversion to Hercules 634 piston engines by [[British Eagle|Eagle Aviation]] to join their fleet.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Civil Aviation: From Jets to Pistons |magazine=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=17 September 1954 |volume=66 |issue=2382 |page=464 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1954/1954%20-%202675.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114011000/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1954/1954%20-%202675.html |archive-date=14 January 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Production finished in 1948, including 16 for the RAF of which four were for the [[Air transport of the Royal Family and government of the United Kingdom|King's Flight]],<ref name="Thetford RAF">{{cite book|author=Owen Thetford|title=Aircraft of the Royal Air Force|year=1988|edition=8th|page=649}}</ref> but in 1952 BEA adapted some to a 38-passenger layout, taking the maximum payload up from {{cvt|5,500 to 7,200|lb}}. All Vikings featured a tailwheel undercarriage.

The 58th Viking (c/n 158) became the prototype of the military [[Vickers Valetta|Valetta]], of which 262 were produced for the RAF. When production of this strengthened but externally similar type ended in 1952, a flying classroom version with tricycle undercarriage was already being delivered to the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF), called the [[Vickers Varsity|Varsity]].<ref>Green and Pollinger 1955, p. 184.</ref> All but one of those entered RAF service, the other example going to the [[Swedish Air Force]]. The production of 161 Varsities kept the Hurn works busy until January 1954, and they enjoyed a long service life. Six examples are preserved, including at [[Brooklands Museum]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/explore/our-collection/aircraft/varsity|title=Vickers 668 Varsity T.1|website=Brooklands Museum|publisher=Brooklands Museum Trust Ltd}}</ref> and the [[Newark Air Museum]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Aircraft List |url=http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/Aircraft-List |website=Newark Air Museum}}</ref>

==Operational history==
[[File:BEA Viking 1B at Manchester.jpg|thumb|right|BEA Vickers Viking 1B G-AHPO "Venturer" at [[Manchester Airport]] in 1952]]

The first Viking was flown from Vickers' flight test airfield at Wisley, Surrey, by chief test pilot [[Joseph Summers|Joseph "Mutt" Summers]] on 22 June 1945 and the third aircraft built was delivered to BOAC at [[Bournemouth Airport|Hurn]] near Bournemouth on 20 April 1946. Upon the delivery of nine examples to BOAC for development flying, including the two remaining prototypes, [[British European Airways]] (BEA) was established on 1 August 1946 to operate airliners within Europe and these first VC.1 Vikings were transferred to the new [[airline]].<ref name="Taylor p39">Taylor 1983, p. 39.</ref>

After a trial flight from [[RAF Northolt|Northolt]] to [[Oslo]] on 20 August 1946 by the newly formed BEA, the first regular Viking scheduled service commenced between Northolt and [[Copenhagen Airport]] on 1 September 1946.<ref name="database p81">Chorlton ''Aeroplane Monthly'' Winter 2013, p. 81.</ref>

In all 163 Vikings were built. The initials "VC" stood for ''Vickers Commercial'',<ref>''Flight'' 24 May 1945</ref> echoing the "VC" precedent set by the earlier [[Vickers Vimy|Vimy Commercial]] of 1919. Vickers soon ceased to use the 'VC' letters, instead using type numbers in the 49x and 600 series, which indicated the specific customer airline.
[[File:Viking 1B VK500 Arab Legion Air Force BLA 04.55.jpg|thumb|right|Viking 1B of the Arab Legion Air Force (Jordan) at [[Blackbushe Airport]], Hants, in April 1955]]

BEA operated their large fleet of Vikings on many European and UK trunk routes for eight years. From 1951, the remaining fleet was modified with 36, instead of 27 seats, and named the "Admiral Class". BEA operated the Viking until late 1954, when the last was displaced by the more modern and pressurised [[Airspeed Ambassador]] and [[Vickers Viscount]].

BEA sold their Vikings to several UK independent airlines for use on their growing scheduled and charter route networks. Some were sold to other European operators. An ex-BEA Viking 1B was fitted out as a VIP aircraft for the [[Arab Legion]] Air Force, mainly for the use of the King of [[Jordan]].<ref>Martin 1975, p. 26.</ref> Most Vikings had been retired from service by the mid-1960s and there are now only six extant worldwide with two surviving examples in the UK, both being under long-term major restoration.

==Variants==
;Viking
:Prototypes with two 1,675&nbsp;hp (1,250&nbsp;kW) [[Bristol Hercules]] 130 engines, three built.
;Viking 1A
:Initial production version with geodetic wings and two 1,690&nbsp;hp (1,261&nbsp;kW) Bristol Hercules 630 engines.
;Viking 1
:Production aircraft with stressed skin mainplanes and two 1,690&nbsp;hp (1,261&nbsp;kW) Bristol Hercules 634 engines.
;Viking 1B
:Viking 1 with "long nose", 113 built.
;Nene Viking
:One Viking 1B aircraft modified for trials with two 5,000&nbsp;lbf (22.3&nbsp;kN) Rolls-Royce Nene I turbojets.
;Viking C2
:British military designation of the Viking 1; VIP transport aircraft for the [[King's Flight]] of the [[RAF]].
;[[Vickers Valetta|Valetta C1 & C2]]
:Modified design with strengthened floor and large freight door.
;[[Vickers Varsity|Varsity T1]]
:Highly modified Valetta design with tricycle undercarriage for navigation and crew training.

===Type numbers===
;Type 491
:First prototype<ref name="Taylor p42">Taylor 1983, p. 42.</ref>
;Type 495
:Second prototype<ref name="Taylor p42"/>
;Type 496
:Third prototype<ref name="Taylor p42"/>
;Type 498
:Viking 1A for British European Airways.<ref name="Taylor p42"/> Three later to Argentine Air Force.{{cn|date=October 2022|reason=citation to unreliable source removed}}
;Type 604
:Viking 1B for Indian National Airways with two Hercules 634 engines.<ref name="Taylor p42"/><ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501">Andrews and Morgan 1988, p. 501.</ref>
;Type 607
:Valetta prototype for Ministry of Supply with two Hercules 230 engines.<ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501"/>
;Type 610
:Viking 1B for British European Airways.<ref name="Taylor p42"/>
;Type 613
:Projected fuel transport variant, not built.
;Type 614
:Viking 1 for British European Airways.<ref name="Taylor p42"/>
;Type 615
:Viking 1 for the Argentine government with two Hercules 634 engines.<ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501"/>
;Type 616
:Viking 1 for Central African Airways.
;Type 618
:[[Rolls-Royce Nene|Nene]] Viking for Ministry of Supply.<ref name="Taylor p42"/>
;Type 620
:Viking 1 for the Argentine government with two Hercules 630 engines.<ref name="Taylor p42"/><ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501"/>
;Type 621
:Viking C2 for the Royal Air Force with two Hercules 130 engines.<ref name="Taylor p42"/><ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501"/>
;Type 623
:Viking C2 for the Royal Air Force with two Hercules 134 engines. Two ordered for use by the King's Flight for a royal tour of South Africa, one aircraft for the King and one for the Queen.<ref name="Andrews and Morgan p405,501">Andrews and Morgan 1988, pp. 405, 501.</ref><ref name="Taylor p44">Taylor 1983, p. 44.</ref>
;Type 624
:Viking C2 for the Royal Air Force with two Hercules 134 engines. One ordered for use by the King's Flight for a royal tour of South Africa for use by the state officials in 21-seat configuration.<ref name="Andrews and Morgan p405,501"/>
;Type 626
:Viking C2 for the Royal Air Force with two Hercules 134 engines. One ordered for use by the King's Flight for a royal tour of South Africa as a mobile workshop support aircraft.<ref name="Andrews and Morgan p405,501"/>
;Type 627
:Viking 1B for Airwork Limited.<ref name="Taylor p42"/>
;Type 628
:Viking 1B for DDL with two Hercules 634 engines.<ref name="Taylor p42"/><ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501"/>
;Type 631
:Projected 34-seat variant, not built.<ref name="Taylor p42"/>
;Type 632
:Viking 1B for Air India with two Hercules 634 engines.<ref name="Taylor p42"/><ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501"/>
;Type 634
:Viking 1B for Aer Lingus with two Hercules 634 engines.<ref name="Taylor p42"/><ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501"/>
;Type 635
:Viking 1B for South African Airways with two Hercules 634 engines.<ref name="Taylor p42"/><ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501"/>
;Type 636
:Viking 1B demonstrator.<ref name="Taylor p42"/>
;Type 637
:Valetta C1 for the Royal Air Force with two Hercules 230 engines.<ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501"/>
;Type 639
:Viking 1 for Hunting Air Transport.<ref name="Taylor p42"/><ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501"/>
;Type 641
:Viking 1 for Suidair International
;Type 643
:Viking 1 for Suidair International with two Hercules 630 engines.<ref name="Taylor p42"/><ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501"/>
;Type 644
:Viking 1B for Iraqi Airways.<ref name="Taylor p42"/><ref name="Andrews and Morgan p501"/>
;Type 649
:Viking 1B for Pakistan Air Force with two Hercules 634 engines.<ref name="Taylor p42"/><ref name="Andrews and Morgan p502">Andrews and Morgan 1988, p. 502.</ref>
;Type 651
:Valetta C1 for the Royal Air Force with two Hercules 634 engines.<ref name="Andrews and Morgan p502"/>
;Type 657
:Viking 1A conversions from Type 498 for BSAAC.<ref name="Andrews and Morgan p502"/>

==Operators==

===Civil operators===
[[File:Vickers Viking Aero-Transport 1958.jpg|thumb|right|Vickers Viking 1 of Aero-Transport (Austria) in 1958]]
; {{ARG}}
* [[Aerolíneas Argentinas]]
* Argentine Civil Aeronautics Board
* Flota Aérea Mercante Argentina
* [[LADE]]
; {{AUT}}
* Aero Transport
; {{BEL}}
* [[Aviameer Airlines]]<ref>{{cite web | url = https://airlinehistory.co.uk/airline/aviameer-airlines/ | title = Aviameer Airlines | publisher = Airline History | access-date = 8 November 2021}}</ref>
; {{DEN}}
* [[Det Danske Luftfartselskab|DDL]]<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
; {{EGY}}
* [[Egyptair|Misrair]]<ref name="Taylor p48">Taylor 1983, p. 48.</ref>
; {{FRA}}
* [[Airnautic]]
* [[Air Dauphine]]
* [[Air Inter]]
* [[Air Sahara]]
* [[Europe Aero Service]]
* ''[[Transportes Aeriens Reunis]]''
; {{GER}}
* Aero Express Flug<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
* Aerotour
* ''Colombus Luftreederei''
* ''[[Condor Flugdienst|Condor]]''
* ''Deutsche Flugdienst''
* [[LTU International]]
* Transavia Flug
; {{IND}}
* [[Air India]]<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
* [[Indian Airlines]]<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
* [[Indian National Airways]]<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
; {{IRQ}}
* [[Iraqi Airways]]<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
* Iraq Petroleum Transport Company<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
; {{IRL}}
* [[Aer Lingus]]<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
; {{KUW}}
* [[Kuwait Oil Company]]
; {{MEX}}
* ''Bernado Pasquelle''
* Government of Mexico
; {{POR}} ([[Portuguese India]])
* ''[[Transportes Aéreos da Índia Portuguesa]]''
; {{PAK}}
* '' [[Governor General of Pakistan]]. Personal plane of Quaid E Azam [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]]''
; {{flag|South Africa|1928}}
* [[Protea Airways]]
* [[South African Airways]]<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
* [[Suldair International Airways]]<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
* [[Trek Airways]]
* [[United Airways]]
[[File:CAA Vickers Viking at Heathrow.jpg|thumb|right|Central African Airways Vickers Viking at London Heathrow in May 1953]]
; {{flag|Southern Rhodesia}}
* [[Central African Airways]]<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
; {{SUI}}
* [[Balair]]
; {{TRI}}
* [[British West Indian Airways]]<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
[[File:Vickers Viking G-APOP Channel Ringway 25.07.64 edited-2.jpg|thumb|right|Viking C.2 of Channel Airways at Manchester Ringway on 25 July 1964]]
[[File:Vickers Viking 1B G-AIVO Eagle Aws Ringway 07.59 edited-2.jpg|thumb|right|Viking 1B of Eagle Airways at Manchester Ringway in July 1959]]
; {{GBR}}
* [[African Air Safaris]]
* [[Air Ferry Limited|Air Ferry]]
* [[Air Safaris]]<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
* [[Airwork Services]]<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
* [[Autair]]
* Bembridge Air Hire Limited
* [[BKS Air Transport]]<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
* Blue-Air
* [[British European Airways]]<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
* [[British Overseas Airways Corporation]] (used only by BOAC development flight)
* [[British Eagle|Eagle Aviation/Eagle Airways]]<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
* British International Airlines<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
* British Nederland Airservices
* [[Channel Airways]]
* Continental Air Services
* Crewsair Limited<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
* Decca Navigator Company
* Dragon Airways
* Eros Airlines (UK)
* [[Falcon Airways]]
* Field Aircraft Services<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
* First Air Trading Company
* Hunting Air Transport<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
* [[Hunting-Clan Air Transport]]<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
* Invicta Airways / Invicta International Airways
* Independent Air Transport
* James Stuart Travel Limited
* Maitland Drewery Aviation
* [[Meredith Air Transport]]
* Orion Airways
* Overseas Aviation<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
* Pegasus Airlines
* Tradair Limited<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
* Trans World Charter<ref name="Taylor p48"/>
* Vendair Limited

===Military operators===
; {{ARG}}
* [[Argentine Air Force]] - 30 aircraft.<ref>[http://www.gacetaeronautica.com/gaceta/wp-102/?p=2199 The Illustrated Catalogue to Argentine Air Force Aircraft, Gaceta Aeronautica, 2013] (''accessed 2019-02-16'')</ref> One (T-64, ex LV-XFM) used as presidential aircraft from 1948 to 1952.<ref>[https://aerospotter.blogspot.com/2011/06/la-corta-vida-de-un-viking.html La corta vida de un Viking, Roll Out website, 2011] (''accessed 2019-02-16'')</ref>
; {{AUS}}
* [[Royal Australian Air Force]] - One Viking C2 in service from 1947 to 1951.
** [[No. 2 Squadron RAAF]]
** [[No. 34 Squadron RAAF]]
; {{JOR}}
* [[Royal Jordanian Air Force|Arab Legion Air Force]]
* [[Royal Jordanian Air Force]]
; {{PAK}}
* [[Pakistan Air Force]]
; {{UK}}
* [[Royal Air Force]]
** [[Empire Test Pilots' School]]
** [[Air transport of the Royal Family and government of the United Kingdom|The King's Flight]], RAF

==Accidents and incidents==
{{Main|List of accidents and incidents involving the Vickers VC.1 Viking}}
Of the 163 aircraft built 56 aircraft were lost in accidents – the following were some notable accidents:
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1948|04|05|df=y}}|event=G-AIVP operated by [[British European Airways]] [[1948 Gatow air disaster|collided with a Soviet]] [[Yak-3]] near Berlin, 15 killed.}}
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1948|04|21|df=y}}|event=[[British European Airways Flight S200P]] (G-AIVE) crashed on approach to Glasgow-Renfrew Airport. No one was killed but 14 were injured.[[File:British European Airways Vickers Viking G-AIVE Remains - geograph.org.uk - 1240942.jpg|right|thumb|Wreckage of G-AIVE at the crash site of [[British European Airways Flight S200P]], photographed ''in situ'' in 2007]]}}
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1949|02|08|df=y}}|event=OY-DLU operated by [[Det Danske Luftfartselskab]] (DDL) crashed into the sea off [[Copenhagen]], Denmark, with the loss of all 27 occupants.<ref name="ASN1949">[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19490208-0 "ASN Aircraft accident Vickers 628 Viking 1B OY-DLU Barsebäck (Öresund)"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130193132/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19490208-0 |date=30 January 2012 }} ''aviation-safety.net.''</ref>}}
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1950|10|31|df=y}}|event=G-AHPN operated by [[British European Airways]] crashed during a Ground Control Approach landing in bad visibility ({{convert|40|-|50|yd}}) at London [[RAF Northolt|Northolt airport]], England. The pilot failed to overshoot and 25 passengers and three crew died. It was subsequently recommended that it be an offence for aircraft to go below a minimum height when ground visibility was low.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1951/1951%20-%202119.html "Lessons from an Accident."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102080427/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1951/1951%20-%202119.html |date=2 November 2012 }} "[[Flight International|Flight]]", 19 October 1951, pp. 218–219. Retrieved: 6 August 2011.</ref>}}
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1952|02|17|df=y}}|event=G-AHPI operated by Hunting Air Travel flew into the La Cinta mountain range, Italy, with the loss of all 31 occupants.<ref name="ASN1952">[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19520217-0 "ASN Aircraft accident Vickers 614 Viking 1 G-AHPI Monte la Cinta"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024161842/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19520217-0 |date=24 October 2012 }} ''aviation-safety.net.''</ref>}}
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1953|01|05|df=y}}|event=G-AJDL operated by British European Airways [[1953 Nutts Corner BEA Vickers Viking accident|crashed on approach]] at [[Belfast]]-[[RAF Nutts Corner|Nutts Corner Airport]], Northern Ireland, three crew and 24 passengers died.<ref name="ASN1953">[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19530105-0 "ASN Aircraft accident Vickers 610 Viking 1B G-AJDL Belfast-Nutts Corner Airport"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110625014714/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19530105-0 |date=25 June 2011 }} ''aviation-safety.net.''</ref><ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1953/1953%20-%200999.html "Finding of the Nutt's Corner Inquiry"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104120820/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1953/1953%20-%200999.html |date=4 November 2012 }}. ''[[Flight International|Flight]]'', 31 July 1953, p. 153.</ref>}}
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1953|08|12|df=y}}|event=G-AIVG operated by British European Airways crashed on take-off at [[Le Bourget]]-[[Paris]], France, four crew and 30 passengers injured but survived.<ref name="ASN1953 2">[https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19530812-1 "ASN Aircraft accident Vickers 610 Viking 1B G-AIVG Paris Le Bourget Airport"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325025123/https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19530812-1 |date=25 March 2017 }} ''aviation-safety.net.''</ref>}}
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1957|05|01|df=y}}|event=G-AJBO operated by [[Eagle Aviation Limited|Eagle Aviation]] [[1957 Blackbushe Viking accident|crashed after engine failure]] near [[Blackbushe Airport]], England, five crew and 29 passengers died.}}
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1958|09|02|df=y}}|event=G-AIJE operated by Independent Air Travel [[1958 London Vickers Viking accident|crashed into a house]] as the flight crew were trying to return to [[London Heathrow Airport]] after reporting engine problems. All three crew died and four on the ground also died.<ref>''Flight'' 21 August 1959, p. 58.</ref>}}
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1961|08|09|df=y}}|event=G-AHPM operated by [[Cunard Eagle Airways]] [[Hotlaheia Accident|crashed into a mountainside]] near [[Holta]] on approach to [[Stavanger Airport, Sola#Accidents|Stavanger Airport, Sola]] in Norway with the loss of all 39 occupants.<ref name="ASN1961">[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19610809-1 "ASN Aircraft accident Vickers 610 Viking 3B G-AHPM Stavanger"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606092130/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19610809-1 |date=6 June 2011 }} ''aviation-safety.net.''</ref> The Norwegian report on the incident<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1962/1962%20-%202258.html|title=Flight International 4 October 1962 "Stavanger Accident Report"|website=flightglobal.com|access-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203164239/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1962/1962%20-%202258.html|archive-date=3 February 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=42626|title=British Pathe News|website=britishpathe.com|access-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829170242/http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=42626|archive-date=29 August 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> concluded that the pilot was off-course for unknown reasons. The 50th anniversary was marked by a book published in summer 2011, ''The Lanfranc Boys'' by Rosalind Jones, sister of Quentin Green, one of the victims.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lanfranc-holtaheia.co.uk/|title=Stavanger Aircrash|first=Chris|last=Jones|website=lanfranc-holtaheia.co.uk|access-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913035202/http://lanfranc-holtaheia.co.uk/|archive-date=13 September 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>}} The aircraft carried 34 boys and 2 members of staff from [[The Archbishop Lanfranc School]] in [[Croydon]].
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1963|09|11|df=y}}|event=F-BJER operated by [[Airnautic]] crashed into a mountain in the [[Pyrenees]] with the loss of all 40 occupants, the worst Viking accident.<ref name="ASN1963">[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19630911-2 "ASN Aircraft accident Vickers 610 Viking 1B F-BJER Pic de la Roquette"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104073502/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19630911-2 |date=4 November 2012 }} ''aviation-safety.net.''</ref>}}

==Aircraft on display==
[[File:T-9 Vickers Viking Fuerza Aerea Argentina (7313012018).jpg|thumb|right|T-9, ex [[Argentine Air Force]], Museo Nacional de Aeronáutica de Argentina]]
[[File:VickersViking-G-AGRU.jpg|thumb|right|G-AGRU under restoration at the [[Brooklands Museum]] in 2009]]

Of the 163 Vikings produced, only six survive today; five can be found in museums around the world, while a sixth airframe was stored at an airfield near Vienna in Austria until dismantled in late April 2023. Acquired by the Blackbushe Heritage Trust, it is returning to the UK in early May for restoration and display at [[Blackbushe Airport]] in Surrey.

;Argentina
* T-9 – Viking 1B on static display at the [[Museo Nacional de Aeronáutica de Argentina]] in [[Morón, Buenos Aires]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier - Vickers Viking 1B, s/n T-9 ARA, c/n 163, c/r LV-XET|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=43581|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=6 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425160331/http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=43581|archive-date=25 April 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

;Pakistan
* J-750 – Viking 1B on static display at the [[Pakistan Air Force Museum]] in [[Karachi, Sindh]].<ref>{{cite web|title=THE QUAID'S AIRCRAFT|url=http://www.pafmuseum.com.pk/attractions/the-quaid-s-aircraft|website=Pakistan Air Force Museum|access-date=6 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515145120/http://www.pafmuseum.com.pk/attractions/the-quaid-s-aircraft|archive-date=15 May 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

;Switzerland
* G-AIVG – Viking 1B under restoration to static display by the Vintage Aircraft Club at [[EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg]] in [[Basel]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Das Projekt "Save-a-Viking"|url=http://www.save-a-viking.org/de/projekt.html|website=Save-a-Viking|access-date=6 June 2017|language=de|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330094236/http://www.save-a-viking.org/de/projekt.html|archive-date=30 March 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> It crashed at [[Le Bourget Airport]] on 12 August 1958.<ref>{{cite web|title=Der Unfall der "G-AIVG"|url=http://www.save-a-viking.org/de/unfall.html|website=Save-a-Viking|access-date=6 June 2017|language=de|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120180143/http://www.save-a-viking.org/de/unfall.html|archive-date=20 November 2008|df=dmy-all}}</ref> It uses undercarriage and other parts from Vickers Valetta VX577 destroyed by fire 24 January 1997.<ref>{{cite web|title=Was im Jahr 2010 bei "Save-a-Viking" geschah|url=http://www.save-a-viking.org/de/projekt2010.html|website=Save-a-Viking|access-date=6 June 2017|language=de|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425160332/https://www.save-a-viking.org/de/projekt2010.html|archive-date=25 April 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=June 2017}}

;South Africa
* ZS-DKH – Viking 1A under restoration to static display at the [[South African Airways Museum Society]] in [[Germiston, Gauteng]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Vickers Viking VC.1A|url=http://www.saamuseum.co.za/index.php?id=74|website=SAA Museum Society|access-date=6 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425160332/http://www.saamuseum.co.za/index.php?id=74|archive-date=25 April 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

;United Kingdom
* G-AGRU – Viking 1A under major long-term restoration while on outdoor display at the [[Brooklands Museum]] in [[Weybridge, Surrey]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Vickers 498 Viking 1A|url=http://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/explore/our-collection/aircraft/viking|website=Brooklands Museum|publisher=Brooklands Museum Trust Ltd|access-date=6 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003185316/https://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/explore/our-collection/aircraft/viking|archive-date=3 October 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* G-AGRW – Viking 1A delivered by the Blackbushe Heritage Trust to [[Blackbushe Airport]], [[Hampshire]], on 2nd May 2023 from long term outdoor storage stored outdoors at Bad Vöslau airfield, Austria, for major restoration at this former Viking engineering maintenance base.

==Specifications (Viking 1B)==
[[File:Vickers Viking 1B 3-view silhouette.jpg|thumb|right|Vickers Viking 1B]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Vickers Aircraft since 1908 <ref name="Vickers p416">Andrews and Morgan 1988, p. 416.</ref>
|prime units?=imp
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|genhide=

|crew=
|capacity=
|length m=
|length ft=65
|length in=2
|span m=
|span ft=89
|span in=3
|height m=
|height ft=19
|height in=7
|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft=882
|empty weight kg=
|empty weight lb=23000
|gross weight kg=
|max takeoff weight lb=34000
|fuel capacity={{convert|740|impgal|USgal L|abbr=on}}<ref name="jawa51 p92c"/>
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=2
|eng1 name=[[Bristol Hercules 634]]
|eng1 type=14-cylinder two-row [[radial engine]]s
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 hp=1690<!-- prop engines -->

|prop blade number=4<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop name=de Havilland ''or'' Rotol constant-speed propellers
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia ft=13<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=3<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note =<ref name="jawa51 p92c"/>
<!--
        Performance
-->
|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=263
|max speed kts=
|max speed note=at {{convert|1000|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|cruise speed kmh=<!-- if max speed unknown -->
|cruise speed mph=210<!-- if max speed unknown -->
|cruise speed note=<ref name="Jackson Civil v3 p221">Jackson 1988, p. 221.</ref>
|range km=
|range miles=1700
|range note=at {{convert|210|mph|kn km/h|abbr=on}}
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=25000
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=1500
|more performance=*'''Take-off distance to 50 ft (15 m):''' {{convert|2550|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref name="jawa51 p92c">Bridgman 1951, p. 92c.</ref>
* '''Landing distance from 50 ft (15 m):''' {{convert|3900|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref name="jawa51 p92c"/>
|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{Aircontent|
|related=
* [[Vickers Valetta]]
* [[Vickers Varsity]]
* [[Vickers Wellington]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[Douglas DC-3]]
|lists=<!-- related lists -->
|see also=<!-- other relevant information -->
}}

==References==
;Notes
{{Reflist}}

;Bibliography

* [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1959/1959%20-%201877.html "Air Commerce: The Southall Accident: Report of the Public Inquiry".] ''[[Flight International|Flight]]'', 21 August 1959, p.&nbsp;58.
* Andrews, C.F. and E.B. Morgan. ''Vickers Aircraft since 1908''. London:Putnam, 1988. {{ISBN|0-85177-815-1}}.
* Bailey-Watson, C. B.  [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1945/1945%20-%201005.html "Vickers Viking"]. ''Flight'',  Vol. XLVII, No. 1900, 24 May 1945. pp.&nbsp;556a–d, 557.
* Bridgman, Leonard. ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1951–52''. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd, 1951.
* Chorlton, Martyn. "Database: Vickers VC.1 Viking". ''[[Aeroplane Monthly|Aeroplane]]'', Vol. 41, No. 12, Winter 2013. pp.&nbsp;74–87. {{ISSN|0143-7240}}.
* Green, William and Gerald Pollinger. ''The Aircraft of the World''. London: Macdonald, 1955.
* Jackson, A.J. ''British Civil Aircraft 1919–1972: Volume III''. London: Putnam, 1988. {{ISBN|0-85177-818-6}}.
* Martin, Bernard. ''The Viking, Valetta and Varsity''. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1975. {{ISBN|0-85130-038-3}}.
* Taylor, H.A. "The Viking... Vickers Commercial One". ''[[Air Enthusiast]]'', No. 21, April–July 1983, pp.&nbsp;38–48. {{ISSN|0143-5450}}.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Vickers Viking}}
* [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1948/1948%20-%201180.html "First Jet Transport"] a 1948 article in ''Flight''
* [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1949/1949%20-%200401.html Progress - The Vickers "Nene/Viking"] a 1949 advertisement in [[Flight International|''Flight'']] for Rolls-Royce engines

{{Vickers aircraft}}
{{ADF aircraft designations}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vickers Vc.1 Viking}}
[[Category:1940s British airliners]]
[[Category:Vickers aircraft|VC.01 Viking]]
[[Category:Mid-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1945]]
[[Category:Twin piston-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable conventional landing gear]]