Invicta Airways Limited was founded in November 1964 by Hugh Kennard following a takeover of his previous company, Air Ferry.

[1] Two Vickers Viking aircraft were purchased from Autair International Airways (later Court Line) on 12 February 1965, G-AHPL and G-AHOY.

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.

[4] 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.

[2] It was announced on 3 January 1969 that Invicta Airways was to merge with British Midland, effective 18 March.

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.

During July and August, dockworkers across the United Kingdom were on strike, leading to increased air freight business.

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.

In May, European Ferries announced that they had decided to withdraw from the aviation business by the end of October.

The goodwill and assets of Invicta were purchased in December 1975 by Universal Air Transport Sales Ltd, whose chairman was Hugh Kennard.

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.

[19] 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.

De Gama Rose was in talks with Redcoat Air Cargo about selling Invicta to them.

[21] 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.

Returned to the RAF on 29 October 1951, allocated to the Empire Test Pilots' School on 28 December.

Substantially damaged on 19 October 1961 when the port undercarriage collapsed on landing at Rhein-Main Air Base, Frankfurt.

[28] Leased in December 1956 by Trans American Airways for use during an airlift due to the Hungarian Revolution of 1956.

To Pan American World Airways on 8 February 1947, re-registered NC88936 and named Clipper Meteor.

Leased on 5 November 1964 to ACE Freighters and operated on behalf of Ford Motor Company.

[2] In 1991, the aircraft suffered an uncontained engine failure at N'djili Airport, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo and was withdrawn from use by July of that year.

Sold on 19 September 1962 to Cunard Eagle Airways, re-registered G-AOCB and named City of Edinburgh.

Sold on 3 September 1962 to Cunard Eagle Airways, re-registered G-AOCC and named City of Belfast.

Sold on 12 August 1969 to Air Holdings, re-registered G-AYFN and stored at Cambridge Airport.

Leased to Templewood Aviation and sub-leased on 23 November 1972 to Merpati Nusantara Airlines, re-registered PK-MVR.

[2] On 1 July 1964 substantially damaged by an undercarriage collapse landing at John F Kennedy International Airport, New York.

Operated by Maof for El Al between September 1982 and October 1984, then stored at Tel Aviv.