Welcome to S&M Models home of the 1/144 scale Vickers Viscount model kit.

S&M Models have produced for the first time a 1/144 scale full injection moulded Vickers Viscount model kit. The kit is complimentary to the Airfix and Minicraft 1/144 scale Airliner ranges .

The kit is easy to assemble requiring polystyrene glue and paint (acrylic model paint is recommended) to complete. It is designed for both the novice (age 10+) and experienced modeller. The kit provides full markings for a choice of 4 aircraft operated by Eagle Airways in Europe and the Bahamas. More...

History of the Vickers Viscount.

The origins of the Vickers Viscount can be traced back to the recommendations of the Brabazon Committee. Set up by Winston Churchill in 1942 with the objective of preparing Britain for thepost war expansion of civil air transport. The committees Type 2B requirement was for a ‘pressurised turboprop aircraft carrying 24 passengers’.

From this requirement Vickers submitted its first firm proposal in June 1945. This design was developed and via a name change (from Viceroy to Viscount, a very early example of ‘political correctness’) became what is still Britain’s most numerically successful commercial transport. With 444 production aircraft operated by over 200 carriers worldwide including military and corporate aircraft. The Viscount 800 (the subject of this kit) was the result of development of the 700 series aircraft to accommodate additional payload and the ultimate expression was the Viscount 810. The last 800 series aircraft was flown in January 1964 and delivered to China’s CAAC. Total production for the Viscount 800 was 86 airframes. Some examples were still flying in 1996.

Various examples of the Vickers Viscount are preserved in Museums worldwide including an excellent example of an 800 series aircraft at the Brooklands (Weybridge) museum preserved in British Air ferries livery. This is particularly fitting as many Viscounts were built at Weybridge (a second production line was established at Bournemouth Hurn.)

Any Vickers Viscount 800 series aircraft can be built from this Vickers Viscount model kit and with some modification it can also represent the earlier and shorter Viscount 700 series aircraft.