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Contributed by NetLetter team member Bob Sheppard. Here is the first in a series chronicling his family visit to the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada in Winnipeg this past summer. Bob shares his photos and comments on touring the Vickers Viscount on display. Look for more in upcoming issues. |
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I spent 7 years working C and D checks on the B-727 from 1980 until 1987. My commute to work, a mere 7 minutes, took me past a Vickers Viscount parked alongside Inkster Boulevard. I was especially impressed with the large cabin windows. My career as a Cat 13 mechanic, responsible for maintaining cabin interiors, equipment and furnishings, safety equipment, windows and more, had me naturally wondering what the Viscount interior looked like. I had seen some Viscounts parked at the Winnipeg airport and many coworkers had worked on the aircraft. I knew that the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada had one on display and I was keen to have a look. |
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On August 9th I got my first glimpse of Fin 637 CF-THS |
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The tail of the Vickers Viscount was too tall to fit through the Winnipeg TCA hangar door, so TCA maintenance engineers built this custom jack to raise the aircraft's nose to lower its tail. |
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I was immediately surprised by the rather large circular cabin entrance. A good match for the cabin windows. |
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Looking into the cockpit I immediately noticed the armrest covers needed to be replaced, LOL. Part of my daily routine, on a walk through, to spot those things that were a deviation from the norm. The seat covers looked to be in good condition. The cockpit was closed off so I couldn't get a closer look at how things functioned. You know I wanted to. |
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A minor bucket list experience was fulfilled this past summer, partly due to a suggestion by our oldest grandson.