Vickers Viking 'stolen' in N Rhodesia

[gatwick ghost]

Long ago there was an incident with a Viking in Northern Rhodesia, (now Zambia.)
Not sure of the details but believe a British crew went out to repossess the aircraft and flew it out in rather difficult circumstances.
I think one of the pilots was George Bellamy - later of Caledonian and Montana.

Does anyone know any more details ?

[Tagron]

It was the old Falcon Airways Viking. Google "Viking G-AHPG" and you can read the Propliner account of the background to the story.

Unfortunately the account does not provide details of the retrieval attempt except to say that it landed at N'dola on one engine and did not fly again, becoming a snack bar in Blantyre. But Blantyre is a long way from N'dola and it must have flown there,

[Silver_flier]

The real story of the 'airnap' of GAHPG/VPYHJ

Originally Posted by gatwick ghost

Long ago there was an incident with a Viking in Northern Rhodesia, (now Zambia.)
Not sure of the details but believe a British crew went out to repossess the aircraft and flew it out in rather difficult circumstances.
I think one of the pilots was George Bellamy - later of Caledonian and Montana.

Does anyone know any more details ?

Hi, I have the full story as told by George Bellamy who, as you stated, was one of the pilots. The other was a man called Tom Cox a supposed American, possibly Australian. They repossessed it as the person who had bought it from Falcon Airways (of which George was one of the directors and therefore owner of the plane) never paid for it. The plane was taken, quite blazenly and under fire from UN troops (with very poor aim) from Elizabethville and flown to Ndola where they left it. Makes for a funny story... one of many that George has recounted in his memoirs.

[gatwick ghost]

Originally Posted by Silver_flier

Hi, I have the full story as told by George Bellamy who, as you stated, was one of the pilots. The other was a man called Tom Cox a supposed American, possibly Australian. They repossessed it as the person who had bought it from Falcon Airways (of which George was one of the directors and therefore owner of the plane) never paid for it. The plane was taken, quite blazenly and under fire from UN troops (with very poor aim) from Elizabethville and flown to Ndola where they left it. Makes for a funny story... one of many that George has recounted in his memoirs.

Thanks. Do you have détails as would love to get à copy of his mémoires.*