Vickers 744 Viscount

The Vickers Viscount is the world's first propeller-turbine (turbo-prop) airliner. Designed and built by Vickers-Armstrong Ltd. of Great Britain the first prototype rolled off the assembly line in July, 1948. The first production aircraft entered commercial service with British European Airways on August 20, 1952.

Service History
This aircraft, the 40th one built, was the first Viscount in North America. It was delivered to Trans-Canada Airlines and was registered as CF-TGI. At 9 AM on April 18, 1955 Viscount number 40 became the first turbine-powered aircraft to fly a commercial revenue service in both Canada and the United States when it departed Toronto, Canada for New York City with forty passengers.

Trans-Canada Airlines flew this aircraft until 1963 when it was transferred to TransAir of Canada. It continued in service with that airline until 1973, when it was sold to a private individual. In 1980, the plane was purchased by the Northwest Travel Club and was given the U.S. registration N22SN. The Viscount only served with the travel club for a short time before being bought by Tucson based Viscount Air Services, Inc. Viscount Air provided charter and corporate transportation to many different companies and groups, including several rock-and-roll bands. In 1991, the aircraft was donated to the Pima Air and Space Museum.