Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

Vickers Vanguard 1961 - 1972

Following the introduction of the DC-8 in April 1960, Trans-Canada Air Lines became the first and only airline in North America to use the Vickers Vanguard (see poster in TCA Gallery section in this issue) on February 1, 1961.

The 96-passenger turbine propeller aircraft took to the air on TCA's middle-range routes. 

TCA sought a fast, efficient medium-range aircraft incorporating the latest developments and refinements for passenger convenience, comfort and enjoyment of flying.

The Vanguard was a roomy aircraft, wide in the beam and long. Although it is designed to carry up to 130 passengers, the TCA configuration provided for 46 First Class and 50 Tourist Class seats in four cabins, allowing for ample space and maximum comfort for every passenger. The seating configuration was later changed to 18 First Class and 90 Tourist Class.

The Vanguard has a relatively short lifespan within the TCA / AC fleet, 1961 to 1972.  A total of 23 aircraft were delivered between December 1960 and April 1964. 

Registrations and fin numbers were all alphabetically and numerically sequential beginning with CF-TKA (Fin #901) to CF-TKW (Fin #923). According to Planespotters.net and our 'Featured Video' (below), Fin #904 was the first to be put into service. 

Editor's note by Ken Pickford: 

Compared to the very successful Viscount, with almost 450 built for many airlines worldwide (include 51 for TCA), the Vanguard was a commercial failure with only 43 delivered to just two original customers - 23 to TCA and 20 to British European Airways, plus one prototype.

By the time the Vanguard finally went into service in 1961, a couple of years later than originally planned, there was little interest in a large 4-engine propeller airliner with medium range jets like the Boeing 727 only a couple of years from going into service.

Our video first appeared in the 'Alan's Space' section of NetLetter #1319. It is posted on the British Pathé YouTube channel, shows the delivery of TCA's first Vickers Vanguard at Wisley Airfield, Surrey, England circa late 1960.

Our cartoon by Don McGibbon appeared in the 'Horizons' magazine issued May 1990.

Terry Baker, co-founder of the NetLetter scours the internet for aviation related Trivia and Travel Tips for you, our readers, to peruse.

Under the banner 'Welcome to Heathrow Airport' there is this information -

Terminal Drop-Off Charge.

• There is a £5 charge for vehicles entering the drop-off areas.
• You can pay in advance, on the day you drop-off, or by midnight the next day.
• You cannot pay at an airport ticket machine or in the terminal drop-off zones.
• As of January 1, 2022, Heathrow Airport increased the passenger charge to £30.19.
• The United Kingdom is the most expensive country in the world to fly out of, thanks to the Air Passenger Duty that’s levied on flights. That doesn’t even account for individual airport taxes and passenger charges, which can also be steep.

How much is the UK Air Passenger Duty?

The UK Air Passenger Duty amount is broken down based on the distance you’re flying, and the class of service you’re flying in:

• For flights of up to 2,000 miles (short haul), the APD is £13 (~$18) in economy, and £26 (~$36) in a premium cabin.
• For flights of over 2,000 miles (long haul), the APD is £82 (~$113) in economy, and £180 (~$247) in a premium cabin.

As of April 1, 2022, the APD for long haul flights will be increasing again:

• The long haul economy APD will increase by £2, from £82 to £84.
• The long haul premium cabin APD will increase by £5, from £180 to £185

Source:
www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions/terminal-drop-off-charge

Continuation of the Air Canada nee Trans-Canada Air Lines History started in NetLetter #1483.

Source: Air Canada 75 years of innovation

1947 -

The Montreal Trade Board invited 250 guests to a fancy feast to promote the exotic selection of foods that can be shipped by air.

The meal included seafood from New Orleans, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and Vancouver; limes from Trinidad; potatoes from PEI; bananas from Jamaica; and oranges from Florida.

Inaugurating service to Chicago, the North Star is christened on July 1, 1947. The aircraft's increased power and passenger comfort opened the gates for Canada - U.S. routes to Cleveland, Seattle, Boston and Duluth, Minnesota,

Editors' Note: to be continued in the next NetLetter

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