Vickers Merchantman (Vanguard), 1969
Cruising Speed 435 mph (684.000Km) at 20000 Ft. (6.096km)
This is the only surviving example of the 44 Vickers Vanguard airliners produced. The Vanguard was conceived as a replacement for the Viscount for BEA and TCA (now Air Canada), who were looking for an aircraft capable of carrying over 100 passengers.
The engines selected were Rolls-Royce Tynes. Although these gave a significant increase in power over the Viscount's Dart engines, they would prove too slow in comparison to the jet engines appearing of compatible airliners.
This aircraft was built at Brooklands as a Vanguard, and had its maiden flight on 29th November 1961. BEA took delivery in December, when they christened it 'Superb'.
In 1969 it was withdrawn from service and converted into a Merchantman, and would serve BEA/BA until 1981.
In 1992 it was sold to Hunting Cargo Airlines, who operated it until 1996, when it was retired to Brooklands Museum for display. The aircraft was finally de-registered on 19th February 1997.
The Vickers Vanguard was the passenger version of the Merchantman.
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