Thanks for coming to my rescue Flightwatch, these Ozzies are sensitive little souls aren't they? The point is taken about the cockpit arrangements but was "ergonomics" a word in 1946 when the Viscount was designed? I think 444 sold is an indication of the success of the breed and as a happy passenger on an Air Malawi 700 series I can vouch for the excellent view of the African bush from those big windows. Central African Airways seemed to manage quite well with them in the Tropics so perhaps it was a question of the operating procedures. With regard to the Australian crashes, ASN has one down to pilot error/inexperience and two were maintenance related which led to catastrophic failures. This must have helped to blacken the type's reputation.
The irony in all this is that I own and fly an Australian product, that well known near success the Victa Airtourer. It just proves that you can get it right Down Under even if it was designed by a Pole!!