Armstrong Whitworth Argosy

Argosy
An Argosy Mk I of Imperial Airways in 1926. This particular aircraft (G-EBLF) bore the name City of Glasgow.
Role	Airliner
Manufacturer	Armstrong Whitworth
First flight	March 1926
Primary user	Imperial Airways
Number built	7

For the 1950s transport, see Armstrong Whitworth AW.660 Argosy

The Armstrong Whitworth Argosy was a British three-engine biplane airliner built by Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft, and operated by Imperial Airways from 1926 to 1935.

Development

The Armstrong Whitworth A.W.154 Argosy stemmed from a declaration by Imperial Airways that all its aircraft would be multi-engine designs, on the grounds of safety. They were intended to replace the older single-engine de Havilland aircraft that Imperial Airways had inherited from its constituent companies, mainly Daimler Airway. The first example (G-EBLF) flew in March 1926, following an initial order for three Argosies from Imperial Airways. An improved Mk. II version was introduced in 1929.

Armstrong Whitworth A.W. 154 Argosy

A 1927 view of the passenger cabin of an Imperial Airways Argosy, which could accommodate 18 passengers. Posing at the rear is the steward who served them a buffet lunch as part of the airline's "Silver Wing" service.

Operational history

The Argosy was initially used on European routes (later operating on services to South Africa), with the fleet named after cities. Argosies implemented the world's first "named" air service, the luxury 'Silver Wing' service from London to Paris, using Argosy City of Birmingham (G-EBLO). Two seats were removed, and replaced with a bar, and a steward was in attendance.

Three Argosies were lost during service with Imperial Airways, one being written off in a forced landing near Aswan, and one during a training accident, both in 1931, with no injuries in either accident. On 28 March 1933, however, the City of Liverpool caught fire over Belgium, causing a crash in which all three crew and 12 passengers were killed.

Argosies continued in service with Imperial Airways until 1935, with the last example, City of Manchester (G-AACJ), being used for joy-riding by United Airways Ltd of Stanley Park Aerodrome (Blackpool), which later was merged into British Airways Ltd. It continued in use with British Airways until December 1936.

Variants

• Argosy Mk I : Three-engined airliner. Powered by three 385 hp (287 kW) Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar IIIA radial piston engines. Later fitted with Jaguar IVA engines. Three constructed.
• Argosy Mk II : Three-engined airliner. Powered by three 420 hp (310 kW) Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar IVA radial piston engines. Four constructed.

Operators

United Kingdom

• British Airways Ltd
• Imperial Airways
• United Airways Ltd

Imperial Airways Argosy fleet 1926-1935

Type	Registration	Name
Mk. I	G-EBLF	City of Glasgow
Mk. I	G-EBLO	City of Birmingham
Mk. I	G-EBOZ	City of Wellington
Mk. II	G-AACH	City of Edinburgh
Mk. II	G-AACI	City of Liverpool
Mk. II	G-AACJ	City of Manchester
Mk. II	G-AAEJ	City of Coventry

Specifications (Argosy II)

Data from {British Civil Aircraft since 1919}

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Capacity: 20
• Length: 64 ft 6 in (19.66 m)
• Wingspan: 90 ft (27.44 m)
• Height: 19 ft (5.79 m)
• Wing area: 1,890 ft² (176 m²)
• Empty weight: 12,090 lb (5,495 kg)
• Max. takeoff weight: 19,200 lb (8,727 kg)
• Powerplant: 3 × Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar IVA Radial, 420 hp (313 kW) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 96 kn (110 mph, 177 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 78 kn (90 mph, 145 km/h)
• Range: 352 nmi (405 mi, 652 km)

Video

• Newreel footage of Armstrong Whitworth Argosy in flight

References

Notes

Bibliography

• Mondey, David, ed., The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of the World's Aircraft: Military and Civil Aviation From the Beginnings to the Present Day. Secaucus, New Jersey: Chartwell Books Inc., 1978, ISBN 0-89009-771-2.
• M J H Taylor, ed (1980). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aircraft. Jane's Publishing Company.