Armstrong Whitworth Argosy
Wikipedia on Answers.com:
Top
Armstrong Whitworth Argosy
| Argosy | |
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| 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.
|
Contents
|
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.[1] 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,[2] following an initial order for three Argosies from Imperial Airways. An improved Mk. II version was introduced in 1929.
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[4], 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.[1] This aircraft features in the film Michael Powell film, Red Ensign (film), about 10 minutes into the movie.
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
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}[1]
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
References
- Notes
- ^ a b c Jackson, A.J (1973). British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 1. (2nd Edition ed.). Putnam & Co. ISBN 0-370-10006-9.
- ^ David Donald, ed. (1997). The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Aerospace Publishing. ISBN 1-85605-375-X.
- ^ Mondey, p. 31.
- ^ M J H Taylor, ed. (1980). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aircraft. Jane's Publishing Company.
- 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.
|
||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
Post a question - any question - to the WikiAnswers community:
Copyrights:
Wikipedia on Answers.com
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Armstrong Whitworth Argosy.
Read more