Invicta International Airlines

Invicta International Airlines

IATA ICAO Callsign IM - INVICTA
Founded	November 1964
Commenced operations	20 March 1965
Ceased operations	8 April 1982
Operating bases	Manston Airport, Kent
Fleet size	1 (min) 10 (max)
Key people	Hugh Kennard, Audrey Kennard
Website	Website designed by ex-Capt Gerry Abrahams www.invicta-airways.com

Invicta International Airlines Ltd was a

Invicta International Airlines was founded in November 1964 by Hugh Kennard following a takeover by Air Holdings of Air Ferry. A provisional base was established at Ramsgate Airport.^[1]

Two Vickers Viking aircraft were purchased from Autair International Airways (later Court Line) on 12 February 1965, G-AHPL and G-AHOY. Two Douglas DC-4 aircraft were purchased from British Eagle International Airlines, G-ASPM on 18 February and G-ASPN on 20 February.^[2]

Crew training took place from 3 March and the first revenue earning flight took place on 20 March when one of the Vikings flew a charter flight to

Air Ferry ceased using the Viking in January 1966, and the purchase of three of their aircraft was negotiated, G-AIVD, G-AIVF and G-AOCH being acquired. G-AIVD never flew for Invicta, having been purchased solely as a spares source. In April, DC-4s G-APID, G-ASEN and G-ASZT were leased, all three joining the fleet by 7 April. Following the accident to G-APID on 20 June, DC-4 G-ARWK was dry-leased from Lloyd International Airways between 29 June and 31 August.^[4]

In 1967, DC-4 G-APID was sold, leaving Invicta on 28 February and joining Spantax. It suffered a collapsed nosewheel in March 1967 and was subsequently withdrawn from use. By December 1976, G-APID was in use as the "Aerolandia" snack bar at Seville, Spain.^[2] Viking G-AHOW was withdrawn from use after Easter,^[5] being scrapped later in the year.^[2] It was still in existence in September, parked in a corner of the car park at Manston where people were able to view the interior on payment of a small fee. DC-4 G-ASZT was returned to Autair on 29 September.^[2]

On 1 February 1968, Vickers Viscount G-AOCC was delivered to Manston, followed by G-AOCB on 26 March.^[6] Viking G-AIVF was officially withdrawn from use on 3 February, and scrapped in September. Viking G-AOCH was also officially withdrawn from use on this date. The aircraft was scrapped by the end of the year.^[2]

It was announced on 3 January 1969 that Invicta was to merge with

A former employee of Invicta, Cornelius Donovan, sued them for £1,500 damages claiming that Invicta had wanted him to fly aircraft in "illegal and dangerous" circumstances. Donovan had been employed in 1965 and the aircraft in question were Vikings G-AHPL and G-AHOY. Invicta counter-sued for £2,151 in lost flights and charters, denying Donovan's allegations. The case was found in favour of Invicta.[7]

1970s

By 1970, the DC-4 was ageing and other aircraft types available had much greater capacity. Plans were made to replace the DC-4s. During July and August, dockworkers across the United Kingdom were on strike, leading to increased air freight business. On 10 October, Vickers Vanguard G-AXNT was leased from Air Holdings.^[8]

DC-4 G-ASEN was sold to

Vanguard G-AZRE was leased from Air Holdings on 27 March 1972. DC-4 G-ASPN was sold to Africair on 18 April, and delivered to Johannesburg. On 2 May, Vanguard G-AXOY was leased from Air Holdings. On 5 September, DC-4 G-ASPM was sold to Africair. This was the last DC-4 on the United Kingdom civil register at the time.^[2][10]

Early in 1973, Invicta's financial situation was critical. Suppliers refused them credit for goods and services. On 15 January, Air Holdings repossessed their five Vanguards, which were all flown to Lydd Airport for storage. In February 1973, European Ferries Group acquired a 76% shareholding in Invicta and reached an agreement with Air Holdings to purchase the Vanguards on a deferred term basis. The aircraft were returned to Manston, but the Certificate of Airworthiness for Vanguard G-AXOO expired on 28 February and was not renewed. The plane was used as a spares source until scrapped later that year.

On 10 April, Vanguard G-AXOP was lost at Solothurn, Switzerland. Vanguard G-AYFN was leased as a replacement for G-AXOO on 16 April, and purchased on 16 October. Vanguards CF-TKA, CF-TKM and CF-TKS were purchased in Canada and broken up there to provide a spares source, the part being shipped to the United Kingdom. On 3 November, Boeing 720B G-BCBA was delivered to Manston. Middle East Airlines not having taken up an option on the aircraft, which was leased by European Ferries.^[2][11]

On 10 May 1974, Boeing 720 G-BCBA was purchased by European Ferries. During the year, the aircraft was sent to the United States for extra seats and windows to be fitted. The process took two months. On 5 June Vanguard G-BAFK was leased from Air Holdings.^[12] On 13 December, Bristol Britannia G-AOVT was leased from Monarch Airlines.^[2]

1975

Britannia G-AOVT came off lease on 10 March 1975, and was retired by Monarch. It was preserved at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford. In May, European Ferries announced that they had decided to withdraw from the aviation business by the end of October. Vanguard G-AYRN was sold to Europe Air Service and delivered to Perpignan on 29 August. This was followed by the sale of Vanguards G-AXNT, G-AXOY and G-AZRE. G-AXOY made the last passenger flight of a Vanguard in the United Kingdom on 26 October 1975, a one-hour pleasure flight from Luton. The goodwill and assets of Invicta were purchased in December 1975 by Universal Air Transport Sales Ltd, whose chairman was Hugh Kennard. An agreement was made with IAS Cargo Airlines for Invicta to lease two Britannias.^[13]

On 1 January 1976, Britannia G-AOVS was leased from IAS, followed by G-AOVF on 22 January. The lease was on an ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance) basis, with the aircraft operating under IAS callsigns and flight numbers.^[14] On 13 June, G-AOVS came off lease and was returned to IAS.^[2] On 14 June 1976, Britannia 5Y-AZP was wet-leased from Monarch.^[14]

On 7 January 1977, Britannia 308F, 5Y-AZP, was purchased by Invicta, and re-registered G-ANCF three days later. G-AOVF was returned to IAS at the end of September.^[15] Britannia G-ANCF operated all Invicta's flights until November 1978. On 2 November, G-AOVF was purchased by Invicta from IAS.^[16]

In January 1979, both Britannias were repainted. During the summer, the Broadstairs Water Gala was held, which included an airshow. Invicta was invited to take part, with the result that G-AOVF made a low flypast on three engines and the port side covered in oil. Photographs show that the starboard side was presented to the crowd.^[17]

1980s

Early in 1980, Invicta was sold to Kenyan businessman Horatio De Gama Rose. Kennard left the company and established a business at Canterbury renovating classic cars. Britannia G-ANCF was withdrawn from use on 30 October 1980, leaving just G-AOVF flying. In December, it was agreed that G-AOVF would be leased out to IAC Cargo Airlines of Zaire. The aircraft was repainted between 30 December 1980 and 2 January 1981, re registered 9Q-CAZ.^[18]

Britannia G-AOVF returned off lease on 16 June 1981. De Gama Rose was in talks with Redcoat Air Cargo about selling Invicta to them. This came to nothing as Redcoat collapsed in December 1981.^[19] On 8 April 1982, De Gama Rose declared that Invicta was insolvent, and the receivers were called in. The remaining Britannia, G-AOVF, was undergoing a maintenance check as Invicta collapsed was eventually stripped of parts instead.

On 28 August, the aircraft became the property of the Official Receiver. The assets of Invicta were sold to Seabourne Aviation. G-AOVF was later made fit for a ferry flight to

• 15 April 1965, Viking G-AHOY tipped on its nose at Manston damaging its propellers and then its tailwheel and the surrounding structure when it fell back. It was later found necessary to change an engine.[3]
• 2 August 1965, Viking G-AHPL tipped onto its nose during a rejected take-off at Manston. Repairs took a month to complete.^[3]
• 20 June 1966, DC-4 G-APID suffered the collapse of its nosewheel when taxiing for take-off from Manston.^[4]
• 10 April 1973 -
  Somerset, England villages of Axbridge, Cheddar, Wrington, Winscombe and Congresbury.^[22][23][24]
• 3 May 1975, During a flight from
  Exeter Airport, the control column of Vanguard G-BAFK became detached from the instrument panel. The co-pilot made a safe landing.^[13]
• 5 April 1980, the starboard undercarriage of Britannia G-AOVF failed to retract on take-off from
  Ponta Delgada Airport, Portugal. A safe landing was made at Manston, where it was discovered that there was a 2 feet (610 mm) crack in the bogie beam.^[19]

G-AOCH

Vickers 610 Viking Mark 1B, c/n 150. First flight on 19 August 1947. To Ministry of Supply on 5 September 1947 as VL231 in

Dragon Airways. Sold on 13 February 1957 to LTU and re-registered D-AMOR. Re-registered D-BABY on 15 March 1958. Substantially damaged on 19 October 1961 when the port undercarriage collapsed on landing at Rhein-Main Air Base, Frankfurt. Sold on 14 August 1963 to Air Ferry and re-registered G-AOCH. Sold on 23 March 1966 to Invicta. Certificate of Airworthiness expired on 7 July 1968. Officially withdrawn from use on 3 February 1969 and scrapped later that year.^[2]

Douglas DC-4

G-APID

Douglas C-54A-15-DC

, c/n 10408. Delivered on 20 September 1944 to the

Sevilla.^[2] In late 1978 the aircraft was damaged in a gale, and was later broken up.^[25]

G-ARWK

Douglas C-54G-1-DO, c/n 35936 Delivered on 12 June 1945 to the United States Army Air Forces as 45-483.

AMAZ, re-registered 9Q-COC. Withdrawn from use in April 1981 at N'Dolo Airport, Kinshasa, Zaire and later scrapped.^[26]

G-ASEN

Douglas C-54A-15-DC, c/n 10412 Delivered on 24 September 1944 to the United States Army Air Forces as 42–72307. Returned to

Bulawayo Airport, Rhodesia.^[2]

G-ASPM

Douglas C-54B-1-DC, c/n 10543 Delivered on 27 January 1945 to United States Army Air Forces as 42–72438. Sold in March 1946 to Transocean Airlines, re-registered NC66644. Re-registered N66644 in 1949. Sold in June 1952 to Saudi Arabian Airlines and re-registered HZ-AAI. Sold on 16 February 1964 to

Wenela and withdrawn from use until 1974. Re-registered A2-AAD in 1975. Sold in 1976 to Société Générale d'Alimentation, re-registered 9Q-CWQ. Reported stored at Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2004.^[2]

G-ASPN

Douglas C-54A-10-DC, c/n 10337. Originally destined to be 42-72232 for the United States Army Air Forces but not taken up. Transferred on 1 July 1944 to the

Blantyre, Malawi. To Société Générale d'Alimentation as 9Q-CBP, later re-registered 9Q-CWP.^[2] In 1991, the aircraft suffered an uncontained engine failure at N'djili Airport, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo and was withdrawn from use by July of that year.^[27]

G-ASZT

Douglas C-54D-1-DC, c/n 10640 Originally intended for delivery to the United States Army Air Forces as 42-72535 but transferred to the United States Navy on 26 March 1945 as Bu91997, designated R5D-3.

Air Affaires Gabon in July that year.^[2]

Vickers Viscount

G-AOCB

Vickers 755D Viscount, c/n 92. First flight on 24 May 1956. Intended for delivery to Airwork as G-AOCB but this was not taken up by them. Sold on 5 June 1956 to

British Midland Airways on 13 January 1969 due to merger. Withdrawn from use in October 1969 at East Midlands Airport, scrapped in May 1970.^[2]

G-AOCC

Vickers 755D Viscount, c/n 93. First flight on 16 June 1956. Intended for delivery to Airwork as G-AOICC but this was not taken up by them. Sold on 20 June 1956 to Cubana de Aviación, re-registered CU-T605. Sold in April 1961 to Eagle Airways (Bermuda) Ltd, re-registered VR-BBM. Sold on 3 September 1962 to Cunard Eagle Airways, re-registered G-AOCC and named City of Belfast. Cunard Eagle was renamed British Eagle in September 1963. Aircraft later named City of Edinburgh. Sold on 1 February 1968 to Invicta, named Sylt. To British Midland Airways on 13 January 1969 due to merger. Withdrawn from use in April 1969 at East Midlands Airport, scrapped in August 1969.^[2]

Vickers Vanguard

G-AXNT

Vickers V952 Vanguard, c/n 737. First flight on 19 April 1961. Delivered on 2 May 1961 to

Europe Aero Service, re-registered F-BXOO. Used as a spares source at Perpignan

G-AXOO

Vickers V952 Vanguard, c/n 733. First flight on 19 April 1961. Delivered on 5 May 1961 to Trans-Canada Air Lines as CF-TKJ. Airline changed name to Air Canada on 1 June 1964. Sold on 1 June 1969 to Air Holdings, re-registered G-AXOO. Delivered to

Cambridge Airport the next day for storage. Leased in February 1970 to Angkasa Civil Air Transport, re-registered PK-ICC. Off lease in May 1970. Sold to Invicta on 1 March 1971. Certificate of Airworthiness expired on 28 February 1973. Scrapped at Manston in 1977.^[2]

G-AXOP

Vickers V952 Vanguard, c/n 745. First flight on 1 May 1962. Delivered on 7 July 1962 to Trans-Canada Air Lines as CF-TKV. Airline changed name to Air Canada on 1 June 1964. Sold on 5 May 1969 to Air Holdings, re-registered G-AXOP and stored at Stansted Airport. Leased on 8 May 1971 to Invicta. Off lease on 1 March 1973 and purchased by Invicta on 5 March. Crashed on 10 April 1973 at Hochwald, Switzerland with the loss of 108 lives.^[2]

G-AXOY

Vickers V952 Vanguard, c/n 727. First flight on 24 October 1960. Delivered on 7 December 1960 to Trans-Canada Air Lines as CF-TKD. Airline changed name to Air Canada on 1 June 1964. Sold on 12 August 1969 to Air Holdings, re-registered G-AXOY and stored at Stansted Airport. Leased on 2 June 1970 to Air Viking, re-registered TF-AVA. Off lease on 2 December. Leased on 13 February 1971 to Thor Air Cargo, re-registered TF-JEJ. Off lease on 13 June. Leased on 2 May 1972 to Invicta, re-registered G-AXOY. Intended lease to Silver City Airways from 31 March 1973 was not proceeded with and Invicta bought the aircraft on 1 March. Sold on 5 November 1976 to Europe Aero Service, re-registered F-BXOH. Used as a spares source at Perpignan.^[2]

G-AYFN

Vickers V952 Vanguard, c/n 725. First flight on 25 July 1960. Delivered on 7 December 1960 to Trans-Canada Air Lines as CF-TKB. Airline changed name to Air Canada on 1 June 1964. Sold on 12 August 1969 to Air Holdings, re-registered G-AYFN and stored at Cambridge Airport. Leased on 29 March 1971 to Thor Air Cargo, re-registered TF-JES. Off lease on 16 June 1971 then returned to store. Re-registered under

Class B markings G-41-172 on 16 May 1972 for test flights at Stansted Airport. Leased on 21 July 1972 to Airtrader, re-registered SE-FTK. Off lease on 8 March 1973. Leased on 14 April 1973 to Invicta and purchased on 16 October 1973. Sold on 29 August 1975 to Europe Aero Service, re-registered F-BXAJ. Withdrawn from use on 17 July 1979 at Perpignan and later scrapped.^[2]

G-AZRE

Vickers V952 Vanguard, c/n 729. First flight on 19 November 1960. Delivered on 7 January 1961 to Trans Canada Air Lines as CF-TKF. Airline changed name to Air Canada on 1 June 1964. Sold on 18 March 1972 to Air Holdings, re-registered G-AZRE. Leased to Invicta on 27 March 1972 and purchased by them on 1 March 1973. Sold on 11 September 1976 to Europe Aero Service, re-registered F-BXOF. Used as a spares source at Perpignan.^[2]

G-BAFK

Vickers V952 Vanguard, c/n739. First flight on 30 May 1961. Delivered on 7 January 1961 to Trans Canada Air Lines as CF-TKP. Airline changed name to Air Canada on 1 June 1964. Sold on 9 December 1969 to Lockheed and stored at Cambridge Airport. Sold on 30 August 1972 to Air Holdings, re-registered G-BAFK. Leased to Templewood Aviation and sub-leased on 23 November 1972 to Merpati Nusantara Airlines, re-registered PK-MVR. Off lease on 28 February 1973. Sold on 5 June 1974 to Invicta, re-registered G-BAFK. Sold on 21 October 1975 to Europe Aero Service, re-registered F-BXOG. Withdrawn from use on 21 December 1975 at Perpignan.^[2]

Boeing 720B

G-BCBA

Boeing 720-023, c/n 18014 First flight on 24 June 1960. Delivered on 24 July 1960 to

KC-135Es, re-registered N341A. Scrapped at Tucson, Arizona in June 1991.^[2]

Bristol Britannia

G-ANCF

Bristol 305 Britannia, c/n 12922. First flight on 19 November 1958. Originally destined for

Speke Airport. The plane is in British Eagle colours.^[21]

G-AOVF

Bristol 312 Britannia, c/n 13237 First flight on 18 December 1957. Delivered on 2 January 1958 to British Overseas Airways Corporation as G-AOVF. Sold on 4 March 1964 to British Eagle International Airlines and named Friendship. Converted in 1968 to type 312F freighter. Repossessed on 27 November 1968 by BOAC. Sold on 22 January 1970 to Monarch Airlines. Leased on 21 April 1970 to

Cosford.^[2]

G-AOVS

Bristol 312 Britannia, c/n 13430. First flight on 5 September 1958. Delivered on 29 October 1958 to British Overseas Airways Corporation as G-AOVS. Leased on 4 July 1965 to Lloyd International Airways. Sub-leased on 17 August 1965 to British Eagle International Airlines. Purchased by them on 16 November. converted in June 1966 to type 312F freighter. Sold in January 1973 to IAS Cargo Airlines. Sold on 28 December 1973 to Aviex Holding Ltd, then sold on 14 October 1975 to Westwings Aviation Services Ltd and leased to IAS Cargo Airlines that same day. Sold on 21 March 1977 to Redcoat Air Cargo, named Christian in May 1977. Withdrawn from service in October 1979 at Luton and scrapped. Fuselage still on fire dump at LTN 01/09/21[2]

G-AOVT

Bristol 312 Britannia, c/n 13427 First flight on 17 December 1958. Delivered on 1 January 1959 to British Overseas Airways Corporation. Leased by British European Airways in April and May 1961. Leased on 13 September 1963 to British Eagle International Airlines. Named Enterprise and later renamed Ajax. Purchased by Monarch on 18 August 1968. Leased on 13 December 1974 to Invicta. Off lease on 10 March 1975, returned to Monarch and withdrawn from service. Arrived at Duxford for preservation on 29 June 1975.^[2]

References

1. ISBN 9780951729526
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2. ^
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3. ^
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12. ISBN 9780951729526
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18. ISBN 9780951729526
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19. ^
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20. ISBN 9780951729526
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21. ^ ^{a b} "G-ANCF Saved!!!!". British Eagle. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
22. ^ "Fatal fatigue". Time. 23 April 1973. Archived from the original on 14 December 2008.
23. ^ Hansard 11 April 1973
24. ^ "Report No: 11/1975. Vickers Vanguard 952, G-AXOP. Report on the accident at Hochwald/Solothurn, Switzerland, on 10 April 1973". Air Accidents Investigation Branch. 1975.
25. ^ "G-APID". Airliners. Retrieved 12 February 2010.
26. ^ ^{a b} "1945 USAAF Serial Numbers". J Baugher. Archived from the original on 4 October 2009. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
27. ^ "Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 12 February 2010.
28. ^ "US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (90020 to 99860)". J Baugher. Archived from the original on 10 January 2010. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
29. ^ "NTSB Identification: Unknown 14 CFR Part 121 Scheduled operation of AMERICAN AIRLINES INC Event occurred Wednesday, July 01, 1964 in JAMAICA, New York Aircraft: BOEING B-720, registration: N7528". NTSB. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
30. ^ "Save G-ANCF". British Eagle. Retrieved 13 February 2010.

Further reading

• BI Hengi (2000). Airlines Remembered: Over 200 Airlines of the Past, Described and Illustrated in Colour. Translated by Neil Lewis. Leicester, England: Midland Publishing.
  OCLC 44395047
  .

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