Invicta International Airlines Ltd was a charter airline with its head office on the grounds of Manston Airport in the United Kingdom. - See "situations vacant" advert. It operated non-scheduled passenger and freight services between 1965 and 1982.
History
Invicta Airways (1964–69) Invicta Airways Limited was founded in November 1964 by Hugh Kennard following a takeover of his previous company, Air Ferry. A provisional base was established at Ramsgate Airport. 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.
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 Basle, Switzerland. On 30 March, one of the DC-4s operated the first revenue earning freight, carrying 8 tons (8,100 kg) of lamb carcasses to Metz Airport for the Royal Canadian Air Force.
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.
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.
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 It suffered a collapsed nosewheel in March 1967 and was subsequently withdrawn from use.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. Viking G-AHOW was withdrawn from use after Easter, being scrapped later in the year. 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.
On 1 February 1968, Vickers Viscount G-AOCC was delivered to Manston, followed by G-AOCB on 26 March. 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.
It was announced on 3 January 1969 that Invicta Airways was to merge with British Midland, effective 18 March. British Midland was to operate passenger flights using a fleet of 12 Viscounts. Invicta was to operate a cargo service under the name "British Midland - Invicta Cargo" using a fleet of three DC-4s.
Invicta International Airlines 1969-82 Within weeks of the merger with British Midland, Kennard had decided that the merger was not working, and in June the air cargo operation was sold back to Kennard. He formed Invicta Airways (1969) Ltd., based around the three DC-4s, G-ASPM, G-ASPN and G-ASEN; the Viscounts having gone to British Midland as part of the merger.
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, with this aircraft, and the three DC-4s, painted with the logo Invicta Air Cargo, a ltd. company name which had been registered in June.
DC-4 G-ASEN was sold to Wenela on 3 February 1971, arriving at Johannesburg on 4 February. On 1 March, Vanguard G-AXOO was acquired, followed by G-AXOP on 8 May. These aircraft were leased from Air Holdings, and marked up as Invicta International (Invicta International Airlines Ltd. had been established in December 1970), as were all aircraft acquired after this date.
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.
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, with 108 fatalities and 37 survivors. Vanguard G-AYFN was leased as a replacement for G-AXOO on 16 April, and purchased on 16 October. Air Canada Vanguards CF-TKA, CF-TKM and CF-TKS were purchased in Canada and broken up there to provide a spares source, the parts 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.
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. On 13 December, Bristol Britannia G-AOVT was leased from Monarch Airlines.
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.
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. On 13 June, G-AOVS came off lease and was returned to IAS. On 14 June 1976, Britannia 5Y-AZP was wet-leased from Monarch.
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. Britannia G-ANCF operated all Invicta's flights until November 1978. On 2 November, G-AOVF was purchased by Invicta from IAS.
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.
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.
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. 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 Southend, as noted in February 1983. In 1984, it was flown to Cosford and is now preserved at the Aerospace Museum. G-ANCF was dismantled in 1984. it was stored at Kemble and in 2007 it was set to be restored at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
Aircraft details
Vickers Viking
G-AHOW Vickers 498 Viking 1A. c/n 124. First flight 4 October 1946. To British European Airways on 11 October 1946 as G-AHOW, named Vanessa. To Ministry of Civil Aviation on 2 February 1948. Later sold to James Stewart Travel and then passed to G S Sale. Sold on 4 August 1950 to Trans World Charter. Sold on 3 December 1951 to Crewsair, named African Trader. Sold in December 1952 to Eagle Aviation. On 11 January 1953 it was leased to Airwork. Re-registered with military serial XD636 on 10 March, used for trooping duties. Sold on 5 November 1954 to Trek Airways, South Africa. Re-registered ZS-DKI and named Louis Trichardt. On 2 April 1955, the aircraft lost some fabric from a wing. An emergency landing was made at an airstrip near Messina. Sold on 31 July 1958 to African Air Safaris, re-registered G-AHOW and named Skukuza. On 26 November 1959, the airline changed its name to Air Safaris Ltd. Leased on 4 May 1962 to Eros Airline (UK) Ltd. Sold on 6 April 1964 to Air Ferry Ltd. Sold on 28 October 1966 to Invicta. Withdrawn from service in September 1967 at Manston. Officially withdrawn from use on 3 February 1969. Scrapped later that year.
G-AHOY Vickers 614 Viking Mark 1, c/n 128. First flight on 26 October 1946, then to Ministry of Supply. To British European Airways on 5 November 1946 as G-AHOY, named Vanity. To Ministry of Civil Aviation on 21 July 1947 and stored. Sold on 17 January 1949 to Hunting Air Travel. Sold on 26 February 1958 to Pegasus Airlines, which ceased trading on 25 October 1961. Leased on 10 May 1963 to Autair. On 6 April 1964 it suffered substantial damage in a ground loop at Stansted. Sold on 12 February 1965 to Invicta. Certificate of Airworthiness expired on 15 March 1968. Officially withdrawn from use on 3 February 1969.
G-AHPL Vickers 610 Viking Mark 1B, c/n 149. First flight on 9 April 1947. To British European Airways on 14 April 1947 as G-AHPL, named Verdant. extensively damaged on 28 August 1949 in a wheels-up landing at Le Bourget. Renamed Lord Anson in 1951. Sold on 10 April 1953 to Eagle Aviation, then on 28 April to Central African Airways Corporation. Re-registered VP-YKK and named Lundi. Sold on 22 December 1958 to Pegasus Airlines, which ceased trading on 25 October 1961. Leased on 14 March 1963 to Autair. Sold on 12 February 1965 to Invicta. Withdrawn from service in May 1967. Certificate of Airworthiness expired on 15 March 1968.
G-AIVF Vickers 610 Viking Mark 1b. c/n 219.