Invicta International Airlines Ltd was a charter airline based at Manston Airport in the United Kingdom. It operated non-scheduled passenger and freight services between 1965 and 1982.
Company history
1960s
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.
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.
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 It suffered a collapsed nosewheel in March 1967 and was subsequently withdrawn from use.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 Viking G-AHOW was withdrawn from use after Easter, being scrapped later in the year.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 Viking G-AIVF was officially withdrawn from use on 3 February, and scrapped in September. Viking G-AOCH was also officially withdrawn from use on this date.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 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. By April, Kennard had decided that the merger was not working, and in June he formed Invicta Airways (1969) Ltd. The aircraft were the three DC-4s, G-ASPM, G-ASPN and G-ASEN. The Viscounts having gone to British Midland as part of the merger.
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.
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.
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. This aircraft was leased from Air Holdings.
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.
