lederhosen: Vanguard cruise fuel burn was ~ 2400kgs/hr for a TAS of 360kts.
Very similar to a B737-200 with same 130 pax. and TAS of 405kts!!
In response to the introduction of BCAL 1-11s on the domestic routes BEA simply climbed the Vanguards at 290kts and descended at 300kts to achieve block times within 5 mins of those achieved by the jets.
As an indication of efficiency improvements:
1977 B707-300 cruise M.79 189 pax initial fuel burn 5440kgs/hr (12,000lbs/hr)
2007 A320-200 cruise M.78 180 pax initial fuel burn 2200kgs/hr