PAF Museum - PAF Vickers Viking

[Pfactor]

Vikers Viking (Panorama Image)

VIKING 1B

Viking was manufactured by Vikers Armstrony of UK. It was designed to fulfill the commercial needs for passengers and freight transportation.

PAF operated this, specially built VIP version, known as Viking 1-b. this aircraft had additional navigation aids as well as VIP configuration seating and internal layout. This aircraft was first flown in august, 1946 and used by PAF in 1948. it had two piston engines, Hercules 634, fourteen cylinder radial air-cooled engine; with a thrust of 2x1690 hp. its maximum speed was 263 mph and climb to a height of 23200

This Viking was in the personal use of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, till his death on the 11 September, 1948; when he flew from Quetta to Mauripur (Masroor). This aircraft was retired in 1953 and preserved in the museum.

(Copied the text from PAF Museum, and magic of OCR)

[Abbas Ali]

Very nice photos of this historic aircraft. Thank you for sharing.

I believe it was retired as VIP aircraft around 1954-55 after delivery of PIA Super Constellations which were also used for VIP flights.

I have a magazine with an article on this aircraft's history including details like its delivery flight, VIP flights with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and flights operated with personalities like Governor General Khawaja Nazimuddin and Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan. Other VIPs flown by this aircraft include Kings of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and Jordan.

In 1949, it was also used for sighting of moon to announce the end of holy month of Ramadan.

Here's scan of the article from 'Fly Past' magazine (April 1998 issue).

[atmalik]

excellent set of pictures. Thanks for the share. The museum interior seems very well kept in those pictures.

[Ali Hasan]

Excellent pictures Pfactor. Enjoyed viewing them. Is it possible to go inside the aircraft?

And thank you Abbas for sharing that invaluable piece of information.