Vickers Viscount series 836
See post #13 - it looks like the Series 831 was another exception (like the 833) to the general rule that 810 series aircraft had the narrow door and two forward windows.
I had the pleasure of flying both RAAF Viscounts 435 and 436 while at No. 34 Squadron based at Canberra. Their internal furnishings were luxury personified. 435 was set up in USA with a flight engineer position although it was not used for that purpose in RAAF service. It was sometimes difficult for the pilots to reach the overhead switches that were designed to be operated from the flight engineer position which was between the pilots and set back.
Besides the usual weather radar screen in front of the pilots, there was an additional radar screen set low behind the centre consul and which could retracted into the cockpit floor if not in use. I presume this was for use by the flight engineer. Both Viscounts had the characteristic `soft` undercarriage which was flattering to the pilot and which led to compliments by the passengers. Many a late flare which would cause an almighty thump if in a 737, was turned into a greaser by the Viscount undercarriage design. Loved it!
Besides the usual weather radar screen in front of the pilots, there was an additional radar screen set low behind the centre consul and which could retracted into the cockpit floor if not in use. I presume this was for use by the flight engineer. Both Viscounts had the characteristic `soft` undercarriage which was flattering to the pilot and which led to compliments by the passengers. Many a late flare which would cause an almighty thump if in a 737, was turned into a greaser by the Viscount undercarriage design. Loved it!
Last edited by Centaurus; 21st Aug 2013 at 08:31.
Thread Starter
Never got to fly on a Viscount. A cross I must bear for the rest of my days. I can still hear the distinctive plaintive whine of those four Darts as the aircraft flew round and round the LBA hold waiting for the cloud base to lift ! And the Maria Callas- style operatic whistling as she flew down the approach. Wonderful noise. And to those who say the A320 sound is reminiscent - agreed !
