Britain's Best-Selling Aviation Title: Vickers Viscount

In the latest edition of AERO HISTORY, podcasters Matthew Wolter and Wolfgang Borgmann delve into the fascinating details of the Vickers Viscount aircraft model.

The Vickers Viscount, first put into service in 1950 by British European Airways (BEA), is a groundbreaking aircraft due to its propeller-turbine jet propulsion, a technology that revolutionised the aviation industry. Known as a turboprop, this type of propulsion allows for faster speeds and greater economy compared to piston-engine aircraft and pure jets.

Wolfgang Borgmann, the editor of AERO INTERNATIONAL since February 2022, has been an aviation journalist for 30 years. He oversees the Industry & Technology section in the AERO INTERNATIONAL team and is responsible for the creation and publication of engaging and expertly written books about aviation. In fact, a total of 32 books have been published under his name, exploring various aspects of aviation history.

Born into a family of aviation enthusiasts, Borgmann's passion for the industry was instilled in him by his parents, who were employed by airlines. He completed a traineeship and held permanent positions before becoming a freelance journalist and author. Over the past 22 years, he has worked as a freelance journalist and author, and his books are written in both German and English.

The British Vickers Viscount was operated worldwide, including by Air Commerz, Austrian Airlines, Condor, and Lufthansa in the German-speaking region. This commercial aircraft, with its innovative propeller-turbine jet propulsion, was the world's first commercial aircraft to enter service in 1950 with this type of propulsion, also known as a "turboprop."

Turboprops, like the Vickers Viscount, can fly faster than piston-engine aircraft but more economically than pure jets. This makes them an ideal choice for many airlines, as they offer the best of both worlds: speed and efficiency.

In the eleventh edition of AERO HISTORY, Borgmann and Wolter discuss the details of the Vickers Viscount aircraft model, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of this groundbreaking aircraft. The podcast is a must-listen for anyone with an interest in aviation history and technology.