View source for Armstrong Whitworth AW.660 Argosy

{{Short description|1959 transport aircraft family by Armstrong Whitworth}}
{{For|the 1920s airliner of the same name|Armstrong Whitworth Argosy}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox aircraft
  |name = AW.650 & AW.660 Argosy
  |image = File:Armstrong Whitworth AW-660 Argosy C1, UK - Air Force AN1191568.jpg
  |caption = A&AEE Armstrong-Whitworth AW.660 Argosy C Mk.1
  |type = Cargo Transport
  |manufacturer = [[Armstrong Whitworth]] 
  |designer = 
  |first_flight = 8 January 1959
  |introduction = October 1961
  |retired = 1978 ([[Royal Air Force]]) <br/> 1991 (Civil)
  |status = Retired
  |primary_user = [[Royal Air Force]]
  |more_users = [[British European Airways]] <br/> [[Toll Ipec|IPEC Aviation]] <br/> [[Transair (Canada)|Transair-Midwest]]
  |produced = 
  |number_built = 74
  |unit cost = £725,000 (1965)<ref name = "flight 142"/>
  |developed_from = <!-- the aircraft which formed the basis for the topic type -->
  |variants = <!-- variants OF the topic type -->
}}

The '''Armstrong Whitworth Argosy''' was a British post-war [[Military transport aircraft|transport]]/[[cargo aircraft]]; it was the final aircraft to be designed and produced by aviation company [[Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft]]. Although given different internal design numbers, the ''AW.650'' civil and ''AW.660'' military models were, for most practical purposes, the same design and shared the "Argosy" name.

Development of the Argosy originates in the ''AW.66'', a proposed twin-engined military transport that was designed with British [[Air Ministry]]'s [[List of Air Ministry specifications#Post 1949 specifications. Air Staff Operational Requirements/targets|Operational Requirement 323]] (OR323) in mind. While Armstrong Whitworth terminated work on the AW.66, it decided to go forward with a civilian-oriented derivative of the design, designated ''AW.65'', as it was judged to be commercially viable. The AW.65 was redesigned to use four [[Rolls-Royce Dart]] [[turboprop]] engines, and thus was re-designated as the ''AW.650''. On 8 January 1959, the first Argosy conducted the type's [[maiden flight]]. In December 1960, the type received [[Federal Aviation Administration]] (FAA) [[Type certificate|type certification]], enabling the initial civil version, referred to as the ''Series 100'', to enter civil service across most parts of the world.

In Britain, military planners took interest in the Argosy and released a new specification for a militarised variant, designated ''AW.660''. First flown on 4 March 1961, this model featured double the range of the ''Series 100'' and otherwise differed by an alternative door arrangement, which was largely to facilitate [[paratrooper|paratroop]] operations. Furthermore, an improved civil variant, the ''Series 200'', was introduced at the behest of airline [[British European Airways]] (BEA). First flown on 11 March 1964, this model featured a new wing incorporating a [[fail safe]] structure, being stronger and lighter than its original counterpart. The Argosy was operated by both the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) and various civil operators across the globe for numerous years. The type was withdrawn from RAF service during 1978, while the last Argosy was retired from civil operations during 1991.

==Development==
===Background===
The development of the Argosy can be traced back to the development of [[List of Air Ministry specifications#Post 1949 specifications. Air Staff Operational Requirements/targets|Operational Requirement 323]] (OR323) by the British [[Air Ministry]]. During 1955, a specification was issued based upon OR323, which sought a medium-range freight aircraft that would be capable of lifting a maximum payload of 25,000&nbsp;lb (11,340&nbsp;kg), while also possessing a range of {{convert|2000|mi|km|abbr=on}} when carrying up to {{convert|10000|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Tapper p309"/> British aviation manufacturer  [[Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft]] took interest in this specification and decided to allocate members of its design team to the task of developing a suitable aircraft to meet its demands. Initially, design efforts were focused upon a twin-engine design intended for military use, which was internally designated as the ''AW.66''.<ref name="Tapper p309">Tapper 1988, p. 309.</ref>

As it was recognised that the aircraft held sales potential within the civil market, a civilian-oriented variant, designated ''AW.65'', was also designed alongside the military design; the AW.65 principally differed from the AW.66 via the installation of full-section doors at each end of the fuselage to enable rapid loading and unloading operations. However, a lack of available finance contributed to the company's decision to abandon all work towards meeting the military requirement; despite this setback, Armstrong Whitworth had already decided to proceed with developing the civil variant as a private venture.<ref name="Tapper p310"/> The company believed that the type would have significant appeal to the growing short-haul air freight sector of both the [[Europe]]an and [[United States|American]] markets.<ref name = "flight 141"/> At that time, no other aircraft had been purpose-designed for such a purpose.<ref name = "flight 1959"/> As work continued, the AW.65 was extensively redesigned, including the adoption of four [[Rolls-Royce Dart]] [[turboprop]] engines; the resulting aircraft being designated as the ''AW.650''.<ref name="Tapper p310">Tapper 1988, p. 310.</ref>

On 8 January 1959, the first Argosy performed its [[maiden flight]].<ref name="Tapper p316">Tapper 1988, p. 316.</ref> It appeared during that year's [[Farnborough Airshow]], by which point five aircraft were flying, having cumulatively amassed about 400 flight hours between them.<ref name = "flight 1959">[https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1959/1959%20-%202077.html "AW.6S0 Argosy."] ''Flight International'', 4 September 1959. p. 112.</ref> Certification-related testing of the type was reportedly completed during September 1960.<ref name = "flight 142"/> In December 1960, the Argosy received [[Type certificate|type certification]] from the American [[Federal Aviation Administration]] (FAA), authorising the aircraft's entry to commercial service.<ref name="Janes 65 p151">Taylor 1965, p. 151.</ref> 10 of the initial civil version, the Series 100, were built; construction of these aircraft had commenced months prior to receiving certification so that deliveries could commence as soon as possible.<ref name="Tapper p337">Tapper 1988, p. 337.</ref><ref name = "flight 1959"/>

===Further development===
[[File:AW.660 Argosy C.1 XN847 70 Sq SHAW 09.08.71 edited-3.jpg|thumb|right|Argosy C.1 of [[No. 70 Squadron RAF|No. 70 Squadron]] in 1971]]

While the RAF had lost interest in any acquisition of the original AW.66 design, the service still needed to procure a replacement for its obsolete [[piston engine]]d transport fleet, including the [[Vickers Valetta]] and [[Handley Page Hastings]]. During 1959, the British [[Air Ministry]] released a new specification that called for a military derivative of the AW.650, the envisioned aircraft was intended to serve in multiple roles, including as a medium-range transport, [[paratrooper|paratroop]] and [[logistics|supply]] aircraft. The resultant design, which was designated ''AW.660'', was significantly different from the AW.650. Changes included the sealing of the nose door, its location being instead occupied by the [[radome]] of a [[weather radar]] unit, while the rear doors were substituted for by an alternative [[Clamshell design|clamshell style]] which incorporated an integral loading ramp, while a stronger cargo floor was also installed. A pair of additional doors were fitted, one each on the starboard and port sides, which enabled [[paratrooper]]s to exit. The military Argosy was powered by an arrangement of four [[Rolls-Royce Dart|Rolls-Royce Dart 101]] turboprops and possessed twice the range of the civil Series 100.<ref name="Crisp 2 p57">Willing ''Air Enthusiast'' July/August 2003, p. 57.</ref><ref name="AW660 p181">Gunston ''Flight'' 10 February 1961, p. 181.</ref> From July 1960, the second Argosy Series 100 was used to flight-test the new clamshell door design.<ref name="Tapper p330">Tapper 1988, p. 330.</ref> On 4 March 1961, the first of the 56 Argosies destined for RAF service performed its first flight.<ref name="Janes 65 p152">Taylor 1965, p. 152.</ref>

Early on, civil operator [[British European Airways]] (BEA) had shown open interest in the Argosy, the company viewed the aircraft as a potential replacement for its existing [[Reciprocating engine|piston engined]] freighters; however, evaluations of the Series 100 soon found that its payload capacity would not allow for the type to operate profitably.<ref name="Tapper p322">Tapper 1988, p. 322.</ref> Early on, as a measure taken to reduce design costs, the wing of the Argosy had been based on that of the [[Avro Shackleton]], a [[maritime patrol aircraft]] that was developed and built by another entity within the [[Hawker Siddeley|Hawker Siddeley Group]];<ref name = "flight 142"/> in order to satisfy BEA's requirements, a new wing was designed which shared the same aerodynamic design, but benefitted from a more modern "[[Fail safe]]" structure rather than the [[Safe-life design]] used on the earlier wing.<ref name="Tapper p322-3"/> This change resulted in a wing that was both stronger and lighter, but was also no longer limited in terms of its [[metal fatigue|fatigue life]]. The revised version, designated as the ''Series 200'', also featured several other improvements, including the adoption of enlarged cargo doors, integral wing fuel tanks and a modified landing gear arrangement.<ref name="Crisp 1 p42-3">Willing ''Air Enthusiast'' May June 2003, pp. 42–43.</ref><ref name="Tapper p322-3">Tapper 1988, pp. 322–323.</ref> The Series 200 reportedly had better handling than the older Series 100, although some aerodynamic refinements were required during testing.<ref name = "flight 143">''Flight International'' 28 January 1965, p. 143.</ref>

On 11 March 1964, the first Series 200 aircraft conducted its first flight; it was soon followed by six more Series 220s, which were outfitted with more powerful engines.<ref name="Janes 65 p151"/><ref name = "flight 144">''Flight International'' 28 January 1965, p. 144.</ref> While work had commenced upon another Series 220, this airframe was never completed and was ultimately scrapped.<ref name="Crisp p42">Willing ''Air Enthusiast'' May June 2003, p. 42.</ref> According to the aviation periodical ''[[Flight International]]::, the Argosy had been negatively impacted by the emergence of the long-haul [[jetliner|passenger jet]], as many surplus propeller-driven aircraft had been converted to freighters during this era, thus driving down both demand and prices for new-build cargo aircraft.<ref name = "flight 141">''Flight International'' 28 January 1965, p. 141.</ref>

==Design==
[[File:Cockpit of the Armstrong Whitworth Argosy (5761841367).jpg|thumb|Cockpit of the Argosy]]
[[File:Argosy interior with 25pounder RAF Museum Cosford.jpg|thumb|A 25 pounder gun-howitzer on the cargo deck of an Argosy]]

The Armstrong Whitworth Argosy was a general-purpose transport aircraft largely used for [[cargo|freight]] operations by both military and civil operators. At the time of its introduction, the type was considered to be unique in its class.<ref name = "flight 1959"/> Principally designed as a freighter, the aircraft could also be used for other tasks. The Argosy was offered in a [[combi aircraft|convertible]] configuration for carrying both freight and passengers; the civil variant could accommodate a maximum of 80 passengers while providing comfort and speed conditions comparable to the contemporary [[Vickers Viscount]] airliners.<ref name = "flight 1959"/> In the cargo role, the Argosy was designed for rapid turnaround times of only 20 minutes without the use of lifting trucks or [[crane (machine)|crane]]s, utilising [[pallet]]s and [[Conveyor system|roller]]s to eliminate packaging.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1960/1960%20-%203076.html "Door to Door freighting with the Argosy."] ''Flight International'', 23 December 1960.</ref>

In terms of its basic configuration, the Argosy's [[Empennage|tailplane]] was mounted on [[Twin-boom aircraft|twin boom]]s that ran rearwards from the inner engine nacelles, leaving the cargo doors at the rear of the fuselage clear for straight-in loading. Sideways-opening doors were fitted at both ends of the fuselage and the flight deck was set above the freight hold. This configuration allowed for an unobstructed cargo space measuring {{convert|10|x|47|ft|m}} with a sill height corresponding to that of a normal [[flatbed truck]].<ref name="Tapper p310"/> It had a maximum weight of 88,000&nbsp;lb (39,915&nbsp;kg) and a payload of 28,000&nbsp;lb (12,700&nbsp;kg). When cruising at 276&nbsp;mph (444&nbsp;km/h), it had a range of 1,780&nbsp;mi (2,865&nbsp;km) and could seat a maximum of 89 passengers.<ref name="Tapper p316"/>

The Argosy was powered by four [[Rolls-Royce Dart]] [[turboprop]] engines with [[Dowty Propellers|Rotol]]-built four-blade [[Propeller (aircraft)|propellers]]. The power rating of the engines depended on the aircraft variant.<ref name = "flight 144"/> The sound produced by the Dart engines combined with its relatively unusual "pod and boom" basic configuration, which was similar to the earlier [[Fairchild C-82 Packet|C-82 Packet]] and [[Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar|C-119 Flying Boxcar]] transport aircraft, has been attributed as the source of the type's nickname ''"The Whistling Wheelbarrow"''.<ref name="Aviation History">{{cite web |access-date= 6 June 2019 |url=http://www.aviation-history.com/armstrong-whitworth/aw650.htm |title= Armstrong-Whitworth AW650 Argosy |publisher= aviation-history.com }}</ref>

==Operational history==
===Civil use===
The Argosy Series 100 first entered service with the [[United States|American]] cargo airline [[Riddle Airlines]]. Early on, Riddle had expressed interest in the type, having ambitions to use the type to meet contracts to provide logistics support to the [[United States Air Force]] (USAF) within the domestic United States.<ref name = "flight 142"/> During late 1960, Riddle purchased a batch of seven Argosies for this purpose. However, when Riddle lost the logistics contract during 1962, its Argosies were repossessed by Armstrong Whitworth and subsequently sold onto other airlines, some of which had taken over the contracts previously being served by Riddle.<ref name="Crisp 1 p40-1">Willing ''Air Enthusiast'' May/June 2003, pp. 40–41.</ref><ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1961/1961%20-%201502.html "Argosies at Work."] ''Flight International'', 19 October 1961. p. 606.</ref>

As a stopgap measure, BEA had ordered Armstrong Whitworth's three remaining Series 100s, intending to use them until the airline could receive its definitive Series 220s; during 1964, BEA had placed an order for five such aircraft. Reportedly, the Argosy had contributed to BEA possessing a superior air freighting ability to any other airline operating in the region, the type's double-end loading capability being a viewed as a crucial part of its economics.<ref name = "flight 141"/> During its operations of the type, the airline lost two Series 220s in separate crashes, choosing to purchase another Argosy to replace the first lost aircraft. Reportedly, BEA's small fleet of Argosies was found to be unprofitable, even when BEA introduced the more-capable Series 220s; this has been attributed to BEA procedures relating both to safety and general operations.<ref name = "flight 142">''Flight International'' 28 January 1965, p. 142.</ref> During April 1970, BEA opted to withdraw its Argosy fleet, choosing to replacing the type using a freighter conversion of its [[Vickers Vanguard]]s.<ref name="Crisp 1 p42-3"/><ref name="Tapper p324-5">Tapper 1988, pp. 324–325.</ref>

Two aircraft were operated by [[Straits Air Freight Express|SAFE Air]] in [[New Zealand]], where they formed the main link between the [[Chatham Islands]] and the mainland; these aircraft were fitted with a [[Cabin pressurization|pressurised]] "passenger capsule".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Armstrong Whitworth AW650 & AW660 Argosy |url=https://www.baesystems.com/en/heritage/armstrong-whitworth-aw650---aw660-argosy#:~:text=Two%20aircraft%20were%20fitted%20with%20a%20pressurised%20passenger%20capsule%20for%20SAFE%20Air%20of%C2%A0New%20Zealand. |access-date=2023-06-15 |website=www.baesystems.com}}</ref> During April 1990s, one of these aircraft was damaged beyond repair as a result of a landing accident; a third Argosy was leased by SAFE Air from [[Australia]]n company [[Mayne Group|Mayne Nickless]] for five months during 1990 as a short-term replacement. During September 1990s, the final flight of a New Zealand Argosy was conducted by operator SAFE Air; the aircraft itself was retired and is presently being preserved by volunteer owners near [[Woodbourne Airport]], [[Blenheim, New Zealand]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Argosy aircraft and Argosy Cafe |url=https://argosy.org.nz/ |access-date=2023-06-15 |language=en-US}}</ref>

During 1991, the last operational Argosies, which was being flown by American cargo airline [[Duncan Aviation]], were withdrawn, marking the end of the type's flying history.<ref name="Crisp 2 p61">Willing ''Air Enthusiast'' July/August 2003, p. 61.</ref>

===Military use===
[[File:AW Argosy C.1 XR106 114 Sq RAFASC LEB 05.06.71 edited-3.jpg|thumb|right|114 Squadron Argosy wearing the camouflage of the RAF Air Support Command in 1971]]
During the 1960s, the Argosy was procured for the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF), the first of which entering service in March 1962.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1962/1962%20-%200454.html "Argosies Enter RAF Service."] ''Flight International'', 22 March 1962. p. 452.</ref> The service frequently made use of its capability to accommodate up to 69 troops, 48 [[stretcher]] cases or {{convert|29000|lb|abbr=on}} of freight. Operationally, it could carry various items of military equipment, including combat vehicles such as the [[Alvis Saracen|Saracen]] or [[Ferret armoured car|Ferret]] [[armored car (military)|armoured cars]], or [[artillery]] such as the [[OTO Melara Mod 56|105&nbsp;mm (4.13&nbsp;in) howitzer]] or [[L6 Wombat|Wombat]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-02-01 |title=ARMSTRONG WHITWORTH ARGOSY {{!}} Tangmere Museum |url=https://www.tangmere-museum.org.uk/aircraft-month/armstrong-whitworth-argosy |access-date=2023-06-15 |website=Tangmere Museum {{!}} Tangmere Military Aviation Museum |language=en-GB}}</ref> However, subsequent design changes to both the Saracen and the Argosy's mainspar (which ran throughout the top of its cargo bay) subsequently precluded the use of the Argosy as a Saracen transport.{{Citation needed|date=June 2019}}

During 1962, the earliest deployment of the Argosy was recorded as being performed to [[No. 105 Squadron RAF|105 Squadron]], which was stationed in the [[Middle East]], along with [[No. 114 Squadron RAF|114]] and [[No. 267 Squadron RAF|267]] Squadrons, based in the UK at [[RAF Benson]]. The following year, [[No. 215 Squadron RAF|215 Squadron]] received its Argosies, which were stationed at [[RAF Changi]], [[Singapore]]. However, this squadron was disbanded on [[New Year's Eve]] 1967, its aircraft being re-allocated to [[No. 70 Squadron RAF|70 Squadron]], based at [[RAF Akrotiri]], [[Cyprus]]. 70 Squadron would be the final squadron to operate the aircraft in the transport role, retiring its last Argosy during February 1975. During December 1970, the RAF had begun receiving American-built [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|Lockheed Hercules]] transport planes, which progressively replaced the Argosy fleet in the transport role.<ref>Jefford 2001, p. 49.</ref> Between 1968 and 1978, the E.1 variant of the Argosy, which was used in the calibration role, was flown by [[No. 115 Squadron RAF|115 Squadron]], which was based at [[RAF Cottesmore]] for much of this time period.<ref>Jefford 2001, p. 60.</ref>

==Variants==
[[File:Argosy at Speke Airport.jpg|thumb|right|Argosy G-BEOZ, operating for [[ASL Airlines Ireland|Air Bridge Carriers]] at [[Liverpool John Lennon Airport|Liverpool Speke Airport]] in 1981]]
[[File:AW Argosy E.1 XR140 115 Sq FINN 30.07.77 edited-3.jpg|thumb|right|Operational Argosy E.1 of No. 115 Squadron RAF in 1977.]]
[[File:Argosy Aircraft Blenheim.jpg|thumb|right|Argosy ZK-SAE, ''Merchant Enterprise'', exhibited at [[Blenheim, New Zealand]]]]
[[File:Armstrong Whitworth Argosy AW.650 6m07.JPG|thumb|right|Armstrong Whitworth A.W.650 Argosy (series 101), at the [[Midland Air Museum]], near [[Baginton]], England]]

===Armstrong Whitworth AW 650 Argosy (1959)===
A total of 17 were built for civil operators [[Riddle Airlines]] (Series 101) and [[British European Airways]] (series 102 and 222).

10 Series 101 and 102 aircraft were built. Seven Series 200 aircraft were built (the eighth was not completed); the series 200 had a larger freight hold and enlarged front and rear doors to enable it to carry standard size cargo pallets. The series 200 also had a lighter redesigned wing increasing the maximum range and [[Rolls-Royce Dart|Rolls-Royce Dart 532/1]] turboprops.

===Armstrong Whitworth AW 660 Argosy ===
Additional differences to the civil variants:<ref>Air-Britain Aeromilitaria, December 2016, p. 187–188.</ref>
* toilet and galley in the area of the deleted nose door 
* EKCO weather radar in the nose 
* Rover-APU in left tailboom
* up to 72 passenger seats, facing backwards 
* additional fuel tanks in centre wing
* strengthened landing gear.

56 aircraft were produced for the RAF under the [[British military aircraft designation systems|designation]] Argosy C Mk 1 (C.1), it served in a total of six squadrons; three based in the UK and one each in [[Aden]], [[Cyprus]], and the [[Far East]]. The RAF withdrew the Argosy from transport missions during 1975 as an economic measure. Those aircraft not scrapped or retained were sold to commercial operators.

===Hawker Siddeley Argosy E Mk 1===
During 1963, [[Hawker Siddeley|Hawker Siddeley Group]] dropped the names of its component companies, rebranding its products under the Hawker Siddeley banner. To meet a requirement for a [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] flight inspection aircraft, nine Argosy C.1s were modified in 1971 as the Argosy E.1. These were a regular sight at British military airfields, being operated by [[No. 115 Squadron RAF|115 Squadron]] until they were replaced by the [[Hawker Siddeley Andover]] during 1978.

===Hawker Siddeley Argosy T Mk 2===
After the removal of the Argosy C.1 from the cargo/transport role, it was decided to modify 14 aircraft{{sfn|Simpson|2014}} as Navigation [[Trainer (aircraft)|Trainer]]s for [[RAF Training Command]], which were intended to replace the [[Vickers Varsity]]. One aircraft ''XP411'' was re-designated as the Argosy T Mk 1{{sfn|Simpson|2014}} in advance of delivery of the T Mk 2 fleet.<ref name=Argosy20>{{cite web |last=Hunnisett |first=Phil |title=RAF Aircraft - 2nd 20 |url=http://www.argosyair.co.uk/2nd20.html |website=AWA ARGOSY |access-date=29 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730020856/http://www.argosyair.co.uk/2nd20.html |archive-date=30 July 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Only two aircraft (''XP447''<ref name=Argosy20 /> and XR136<ref name=last16>{{cite web |last1=Hunnisett |first1=Phil |title=RAF Aircraft - Last 16 |url=http://www.argosyair.co.uk/last16.html |website=Argosy Air |access-date=8 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320105842/http://argosyair.co.uk/last16.html |archive-date=20 March 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>) were modified as the Argosy T.2, but they were not successful, the programme having been abandoned as a consequence of defence spending cuts.

==Operators==
{{unreferenced section|date=January 2017}}

===Military operators===
;United Kingdom
*[[Royal Air Force]]
** [[No. 70 Squadron RAF]] (based in Cyprus)
** [[No. 105 Squadron RAF]] (based in [[Middle East]])
** [[No. 114 Squadron RAF]] (based in United Kingdom)
** [[No. 115 Squadron RAF]] (based in United Kingdom with the Argosy E.1)
** [[No. 215 Squadron RAF]] (based in Singapore) 
** [[No. 267 Squadron RAF]] (based in United Kingdom)
** [[No. 242 Operational Conversion Unit RAF]]
** [[No. 6 Flying Training School RAF]]
** [[Empire Test Pilots School]]
*[[Kuwait Air Force]] (ex RAF example serial number unknown)
<ref>Flight International Military Aircraft Directory 1972</ref>

===Civil operators===
;Australia
* [[Brain and Brown Airfreighters]]
* [[Toll Ipec|IPEC Aviation]]<ref>Govt gives Ipec green light to import planes ''[[Freight & Container Transportation]]'' March 1977 page 3</ref><ref>Two more Argosies for Ipec arrive ''Freight & Container Transportation'' July 1978 page 6</ref>

;Canada
* [[Transair (Canada)|Transair-Midwest]]

;Gabon
* [[SOACO]]

;Ireland
* [[Aer Turas]]

;Luxembourg
* [[Nittler Air Transport]]

;New Zealand
* [[Straits Air Freight Express|SAFE Air]]

;Philippines
* [[Philippine Airlines]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://airtraveller.ph/will-philippine-airlines-ever-bring-back-the-pal-freighter/ |title=Will Philippine Airlines ever bring back the PAL Freighter? |date=2021-05-10 |accessdate=2021-10-20 |publisher=AIRTRAVELLER PH}}</ref>

;Singapore
* [[Kris Air]]

;United Kingdom
* [[Air Anglia]] on season rent from [[Air Bridge Carriers]]
* [[Air Bridge Carriers]]
* [[British European Airways]]
* [[Elan Parcel Service]]
* [[Rolls-Royce Limited|Rolls-Royce]]
* [[Sagittair]]

;United States
* [[Capitol Air]]
* [[Duncan Aviation]]
* [[Riddle Airlines]]
* [[Universal Airlines (United States)|Universal Airlines]]
* [[Zantop Air Transport]]

;Zaire
* [[Otrag Range Air Service]]

==Surviving aircraft==
[[File:Milstones-argosy-070919-01.jpg|thumb|XP447 at [[Fox Field]], Lancaster, California, USA.]]

;New Zealand
* ZK-SAE ''Merchant Enterprise'' – 222 on static display near [[Woodbourne Airport]] in [[Blenheim, New Zealand|Blenheim, Marlborough]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Chatham Island Story |url=http://www.argosy.org.nz/safe-air/the-chatham-island-story |website=The Argosy Marlborough |publisher=The Argosy Trust |access-date=29 July 2018}}</ref><ref name="HCA">{{cite web |last1=Hunnisett |first1=Phil |title=Civil Aircraft |url=http://www.argosyair.co.uk/civil.html |website=Argosy Air |access-date=30 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030192010/http://www.argosyair.co.uk/civil.html |archive-date=30 October 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

;United Kingdom
* G-APRL – 101 on static display at the [[Midland Air Museum]] in [[Baginton, Warwickshire]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Aircraft - Full Listing |url=http://midlandairmuseum.co.uk/aircraftlist.php |website=Midland Air Museum |access-date=29 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070618144027/http://midlandairmuseum.co.uk/aircraftlist.php |archive-date=18 June 2007}}</ref><ref name="HCA" />
* G-BEOZ – 101 on static display at the [[East Midlands Airport#East Midlands Aeropark|Aeropark]] in [[Castle Donington, Leicestershire]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Aeropark Exhibits |url=http://www.eastmidlandsaeropark.org/exhibits.htm |website=East Midlands Aeropark |publisher=Aeropark Heritage Aircraft Collection |access-date=29 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512012034/http://www.eastmidlandsaeropark.org/exhibits.htm |archive-date=12 May 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="HCA" />
* XN819 – C.1 cockpit on static display at the [[Newark Air Museum]] in [[Newark-on-Trent|Newark, Nottinghamshire]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Aircraft List |url=http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/Aircraft-List |website=Newark Air Museum |access-date=29 July 2018}}</ref>
* XP411 – C.1 on static display at the [[Royal Air Force Museum Cosford]] in [[Cosford, Shropshire]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Armstrong Whitworth Argosy C1 |url=http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/collections/armstrong-whitworth-argosy-c1 |website=Royal Air Force Museum |publisher=Trustees of the Royal Air Force Museum |access-date=29 July 2018}}</ref>{{sfn|Simpson|2014}}

;United States
* XP447 – T.2 in storage at [[General William J. Fox Airfield]] in [[Lancaster, California]].<ref name=Argosy20/>
* XR143 – E.1 in storage at the [[Mid America Museum of Aviation and Transportation]] in [[Sioux City, Iowa]].<ref name=last16/> It is being refurbished to RAF appearance.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}

==Specifications (Argosy C Mk 1)==
[[File:Argosy_(9665128516).jpg|thumb|Forward view of the Argosy, note the open forward cargo door]]
[[File:Armstrong Whitworth AW.650 Argosy 2015.JPG|thumb|Internal view of the cargo bay]]
[[File:Argosy (9661878777).jpg|thumb|Rear view of the Argosy, note the twin-boom configuration]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref= ''Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft since 1913''<ref name="Tapper p336">Tapper 1988, p. 336.</ref>
|prime units?= imp
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|genhide=

|crew= Four<ref>Taylor 1965, p. 152. "The civilian Argosy could be operated by two pilots"</ref>
|capacity= up to 69 troops, 54 paratroops, 48 stretcher cases<ref name="Tapper p329-0">Tapper 1988, pp. 329–330.</ref> or {{convert|29000|lb|kg|abbr=on}} of cargo
|length m=
|length ft= 86
|length in= 9
|length note= (overall length)
*'''Fuselage length:''' {{convert|64|ft|7|in|m|abbr=on}}
|span m=
|span ft= 115
|span in= 0
|height m=
|height ft= 29
|height in= 3
|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft= 1458
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg=
|empty weight lb= 56000
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight lb= 97000
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb= 105000
|fuel capacity= {{convert|4140|impgal|USgal L|abbr=on}}
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number= 4
|eng1 name= [[Rolls-Royce Dart]] RDa.8 Mk 101
|eng1 type= [[turboprop]]s
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 hp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 shp= 2470
|eng1 note= ([[horsepower|ehp]])
|more power=

|prop blade number= 4<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop name= [[Dowty Propellers|Rotol]]
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop note=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=
|max speed kts=
|max speed mach=<!-- supersonic aircraft -->
|cruise speed kmh=<!-- if max speed unknown -->
|cruise speed mph= 253<!-- if max speed unknown -->
|cruise speed kts=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed kts=
|range km=
|range miles= 3450
|range nmi=
|combat range km=
|combat range miles=
|combat range nmi=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft= 23000
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=
|lift to drag=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|more performance=
<!--
        Armament
-->
|armament=<!-- add bulletted list here or if you want to use the following 
specific parameters, remove this parameter-->
|guns= 
|bombs= 
|rockets= 
|missiles= 
|hardpoints=
|hardpoint capacity=
|hardpoint rockets=
|hardpoint missiles=
|hardpoint bombs=
|hardpoint other=

|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{Portal|UK|Aviation}}
{{aircontent|
|related=
|similar aircraft=
* [[Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair]] - a four-engined piston powered aircraft used for similar roles
* [[Bristol Freighter]] - with a similar high-set flight deck
* [[Fairchild C-82 Packet]] the original twin-engine piston-powered transport of ''pod-and-boom'' construction
* [[Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar]] - another twin-engined radial powered aircraft similar ''pod-and-boom'' construction
* [[Fairchild C-123 Provider]] a later piston-engined transport of similar size and conventional configuration
* [[Lockheed L-188 Electra]] - a similar but low-winged aircraft also used as a freighter
|lists=
* [[List of aircraft of the Royal Air Force]]
|see also=
}}

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* [[Bill Gunston|Gunston, W. T.]] [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1961/1961%20-%200181.html "A.W.660: A Multi-mission Military Transport]". ''[[Flight International|Flight]]'', 10 February 1961, Volume 79, No. 2709. pp. 181–185.
* Jefford, C.G. ''RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912''. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988 (second edition 2001). {{ISBN|1-85310-053-6}}.
* {{citation |last1=Simpson |first1=Andrew |title=A/C SERIAL NO. XP411 INDIVIDUAL HISTORY |url=http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/collections/1988-0098-A-AW-Argosy-C1-XP411.pdf |website=Royal Air Force Museum |access-date=29 July 2018 |date=2014}}
* Tapper, Oliver. ''Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft since 1913''. London: Putnam, 1988. {{ISBN|0-85177-826-7}}.
* [[John W. R. Taylor|Taylor, John W. R.]] ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965-66''. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1965.
* Willing, Martin. "Hawker Siddeley's Crisp Carrier: Homage to the AW Argosy, Part One". ''[[Air Enthusiast]]'' No. 105, May/June 2003. pp.&nbsp;40–43. {{ISSN|0143-5450}}
* Willing, Martin. "Hawker Siddeley's Crisp Carrier: Homage to the AW Argosy, Part Two". ''[[Air Enthusiast]]'' No. 106, July/August 2003 pp.&nbsp;57–62. {{ISSN|0143-5450}}
* Willing, Martin. "Hawker Siddeley's Crisp Carrier: Homage to the AW Argosy, Part Three". ''[[Air Enthusiast]]'' No. 107, September/October 2003. pp.&nbsp;42–46. {{ISSN|0143-5450}}
* [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1965/1965%20-%200247.html "BEA's new Argosy"]. ''[[Flight International]]'', 28 January 1965, Volume 87, Issue 2916. pp.&nbsp;141–145.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Armstrong Whitworth Argosy (A.W.650 & A.W.660)}}
* Operators’ reference drawing [https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1964/1964%20-%202920.PDF], [https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1964/1964%20-%202936.PDF]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20190514213609/http://www.argosyair.co.uk/index.html Argosy reference site]

{{Armstrong Whitworth aircraft}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Armstrong Whitworth aircraft|AW.660 Argosy]]
[[Category:1950s British cargo aircraft]]
[[Category:1960s British military transport aircraft]]
[[Category:Four-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Four-engined turboprop aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1959]]
[[Category:High-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Twin-boom aircraft]]
[[Category:Twin-tail aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear]]