Vickers Vanguard

The British turboprop airliner built for high-capacity short- and medium-haul service.

Overview

Vickers-Armstrongs United Kingdom 1960–1996 $67 million (1960)

The Vickers Vanguard was a British turboprop airliner introduced in the late 1950s. Designed for higher speed and capacity than earlier propeller aircraft, it served European trunk routes. The aircraft later found extended life as a freighter.

Specifications

Units
Engine
4 × Rolls-Royce Tyne RTy.11 Mk 51
Engine type
Turboprop
Power
4 × 5,545 shp · 4,135 kW
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
139
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
122 ft 10 in  ·  37.45 m
Tail height
34 ft 11 in  ·  10.64 m
Fuselage diameter
—
Wing span
118 ft 0 in  ·  35.97 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
141,000 lb  ·  64,000 kg
Max landing weight
124,000 lb  ·  56,000 kg
Max payload
32,000 lb  ·  14,500 kg
Fuel capacity
5,050 gal · 19,100 L · 15,300 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
460 kt  ·  529 mph  ·  852 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
—
Range
2,730 nm  ·  3,140 mi  ·  5,060 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
30,000 ft  ·  9,100 m
Rate of climb
1,280 ft/min  ·  7 m/s
Takeoff distance
—
Landing distance
—
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Vickers Vanguard Cockpit

Operational Context

Vickers Vanguard — four-engine turboprop airliner

The Vanguard first flew in 1959 and entered service in 1960 with British European Airways. It was developed to provide jet-like speeds on shorter routes while retaining turboprop efficiency. The aircraft featured a low-mounted wing and a pressurized fuselage optimized for passenger comfort.

Powered by four Rolls-Royce Tyne turboprop engines producing approximately 5,500 shaft horsepower each, the Vanguard cruised at around 350 knots (648 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight exceeded 140,000 pounds (63,503 kg). Passenger capacity typically ranged from 130 to 140 depending on configuration.

Although overshadowed by emerging jetliners, the Vanguard proved reliable and fast for its class. Many aircraft were later converted into Merchantman freighters. The type remains one of the last large British-built turboprop airliners.