VH-TVG Vickers Viscount 720

VH-TVG. Vickers Viscount 720. c/n 084.

This aircraft was ordered new by Trans-Australia Airlines - ?

Built at the Vickers-Armstrong Hurn factory

First flown as VH-TVG - January 08, 1956

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-TVG - January 20, 1956

Registered to Australian National Airlines Commission, Melbourne

It arrived at Melbourne (Essendon) on completion of the delivery flight - January 22, 1956

Flight crew (known): Captain J. Hirst; F/O A. R. Gray; Navigator Harding; Radio Operator Roberts

The aircraft was named 'William Hovell'

Operated its first revenue service - February 06, 1956

Converted to '720C' standard during its early career

Set a speed record between Sydney - Melbourne of 84 minutes (Captain J. Hepburn) - March 03, 1956

Set a speed record between Melbourne - Canberra of 52 minutes (Captain R. Seymour) - September 30, 1956

Set a speed record between Melbourne - Hobart of 70 minutes (Captain R. Keig) - December 25, 1957

It operated its final revenue service - September 31, 1967

Withdrawn from service it was placed in open storage at Melbourne (Essendon) Airport

Sold to Sims Metals, Melbourne for scrapping - December 16, 1969

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - January 30, 1970

The aircraft had flown 27,684 hours with 21,364 cycles

VH-TVG. TAA The Nation's Jetline - 'William Hovell' in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, December 12, 1965.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0129-115.)

VH-TVG. TAA The Nation's Jetline - 'William Hovell' in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, May 07, 1966.

(J. Hopton Copyright Image 0129-499.)

VH-TVG. TAA The Nation's Jetline - 'William Hovell' in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, July 1968.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0129-010.)

VH-TVG. TAA The Nation's Jetline - 'William Hovell' in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, July 1968.

(G. Bennett Collection Copyright Image 0129-341.)

VH-TVG. TAA The Nation's Jetline - 'William Hovell' in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, Novmber 24, 1968.

(G. Bennett Copyright Image 0129-340.)

VH-TVG. TAA - in the basic livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, December 1969.