Armstrong Whitworth Argosy

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armstr...itworth_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.

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 Argosys from Imperial Airways. An improved Mk. II
version was introduced in 1929.


Role
Airliner

Manufacturer
Armstrong Whitworth

First flight
March 1926

Primary user
Imperial Airways

Number built
7

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


The Argosy was initially used on European routes (later operating on services to
South Africa), with the fleet named after cities. The first passenger flight was
from London to Paris on 16 July 1926. 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. In April 1931 Edward, Prince of Wales and
his brother Prince George flew home from Paris–Le Bourget Airport in City of
Glasgow (G-EBLF), which landed specially in Windsor Great Park.

Three Argosys 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 twelve passengers were killed.

Argosys 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.

Specifications (Argosy II)

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 (5,484 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 19,200 lb (8,709 kg)
Powerplant: 3 × Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar IVA 14-cylinder radial engine, 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)




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