Herpa Wings HE572095

Herpa Wings HE572095 replicates in 1/200 scale diecast the Viscount 802 (-02 first production variant of the 800 series), registration G-AOJD, in British European Airways (BEA) “Speedjack” livery, circa 1970.

BEA

British European Airways (BEA) was a British airline established by BOAC on January 1, 1946. It operated short—to medium-haul domestic and international services. The airline introduced the “Red Square” livery in the late 1950s and the “Speedjack” livery in the late 1960s and, in April 1969, established BEA Airtours, a low-cost airline. BEA merged with BOAC to form British Airways (BA) on April 1, 1974. British Airways revived the BEA name from 1991 to 2008.

Vickers Viscount

The Viscount is a British medium-range turboprop airliner that first flew in July 1948, entering service in April 1953 with BEA. It was the first turboprop airliner and one of Britain’s most successful commercial aircraft.

The Viscount was manufactured in three main variants:

The last Viscount passenger service in Britain was in April 1996. Four hundred forty-eight airframes were completed before production ended in 1963.

The flight crew comprises two pilots, and the passenger cabin can seat up to 75 passengers (-810 variant).

The aircraft uses two Rolls-Royce RB.53 Dart turboprop engines, one mounted in each wing, driving four-blade constant-speed propellers.