28 September 2014

Viscounts withdrawn from service 39 years ago today...

I happened to hear a piece National Radio tonight that it is 39 years today since NAC withdrew its Vickers Viscounts from service. The last flight was operated by Viscount ZK-BWO, City of Dunedin, under the command of Captain B. D. Dunn, the last flight being operated from Palmerston North to Wellington and Christchurch arriving at the Garden City at 5.45 pm.

The Viscounts first entered NAC service of 3 February 1958 with Vickers Viscount ZK-BRD, City of Wellington leaving Christchurch at 2.15pm for Auckland and returning to Christchurch at 6.45pm. 

As it was happening, as getting ready to move I cam across this great photo taken by the late Brian Whebell of a busy tarmac at Christchurch taken on 14 October 1973. The new terminal pier being built is gone... The Viscounts are gone... The Viscount replacement , the Boeing 737-200s are gone... The Friendships are now reduced to just air post flights... and NAC has gone!

A busy tarmac at Christchurch on 14 October 1973

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