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Armstrong Whitworth Argosy

From Alfawiki
Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft
IndustryAircraft manufacturing
Founded1919
ProductsAircraft, including the Armstrong Whitworth Argosy


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

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The Armstrong Whitworth Argosy was a British three-engine biplane airliner developed and manufactured by Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft. It marked the company's inaugural venture into airliner production.

Conceived in the early to mid-1920s, the Argosy was created in response to Imperial Airways’ call for new multi-engine airliners to replace the single-engine models then in service. Armstrong Whitworth presented a comparatively large biplane design powered by three Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar engines, with a structure primarily composed of plywood and fabric stretched over a steel tube framework. Imperial Airways initially placed an order for two units intended for its European routes, while the Air Ministry also commissioned one aircraft. The prototype Argosy, registered as G-EBLF, completed its maiden flight on 16 March 1926.

After delivering the second aircraft to Imperial Airways, the Argosy commenced passenger operations on 16 July 1926, flying between London and Paris. This type facilitated the launch of the world's first named air service—the premium 'Silver Wing' route connecting these cities. Imperial Airways operated the Argosy for nine years; during this period, three aircraft were lost in accidents, with only one incident resulting in casualties. By 1935, Imperial Airways phased out all remaining Argosies in favour of newer four-engine airliners that offered greater capacity. The type was fully withdrawn from all operators by the end of 1936.

Design and development

File:Imperial Airways G-AACI City of Liverpool.jpg
Imperial Airways Argosy airborne, 1933

Background

The development of the A.W.154 Argosy originated from a specification issued by Imperial Airways in 1922 targeting new aircraft for its Middle East services. The specification demanded a minimum range of 500 miles (800 km) even when flying against a 30 miles per hour (50 km/h) headwind and stipulated multiple air-cooled engines to enhance safety—a policy Imperial Airways subsequently adopted for all its airliners. This requirement necessitated replacing much of its existing fleet, which comprised mainly older single-engine de Havilland aircraft inherited from predecessor companies like Daimler Airway.

Despite lacking prior experience in airliner design, Armstrong Whitworth submitted its own proposal. The resulting aircraft was a sizable biplane featuring an angular, boxy fuselage combined with a triple-fin biplane tail assembly equipped with rudders. It was powered by three Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar engines, each delivering up to 385 hp (287 kW); one engine was located at the nose tip and two others mounted between the wings. Fuel was stored in two tanks positioned centrally on the upper wing. The airframe utilized steel tubing covered predominantly with fabric, including within the passenger cabin’s walls and ceiling. The cabin incorporated a wooden floor that also served structural bracing purposes and offered amenities such as operable windows and an onboard toilet. Passenger baggage was stored in a main compartment at the rear and an additional hold situated forward of the cockpit in the nose section.

Into production

File:Armstrong Whitworth AW.154 Argosy with townend ring L'Aéronautique July,1929.jpg
An Argosy in 1929, displaying the townend rings on the engine cowling.

After evaluating the proposal, Imperial Airways concluded that the airliner design was well suited for its European operations and promptly placed an initial order for two aircraft. Additionally, the Air Ministry commissioned one unit.[1] The first Argosy, registered as G-EBLF, completed its maiden flight on 16 March 1926, piloted by F. L. Barnard representing Imperial Airways.[2][3] The second aircraft, G-ELBO, took to the skies for the first time on 18 June 1926 and was delivered to Imperial Airways a month later. The Air Ministry's third Argosy was handed over in March 1927.[3]

By 1928, after satisfactory operation of their initial fleet, Imperial Airways expanded their order to include three more Argosies, which was subsequently increased to four.[4] These newer models were designated Argosy Mk. II and featured upgraded 410 hp (310 kW) Jaguar IVA engines, enhanced fuel capacity, and automatic wingtip slots. The first of these Mk. II versions entered service in 1929.[5]

Operational history

File:Bundesarchiv Bild 102-00921A, Armstrong Whitworth A.W. 154 Argosy.jpg
Armstrong Whitworth AW.154 Argosy at Berlin, 1928[6]
File:Bristol repülőgép fortepan 132634.jpg
An Argosy in 1928

Initially deployed on European routes, each Argosy bore the name of a city. Subsequently, services extended to South Africa.[3] The inaugural passenger journey occurred on 16 July 1926 between London and Paris. Imperial Airways aimed to showcase the airliner's capabilities and spacious interior, which surpassed competitors'. This introduction rapidly increased passenger traffic within weeks.[7]

Imperial Airways pioneered the world's first named air service with the luxury 'Silver Wing' route connecting London and Paris.[8][9] Aircraft on this route had two seats removed to make room for an onboard bar, attended by a dedicated steward. In April 1931, City of Glasgow (G-EBLF) transported Edward, Prince of Wales, and his brother Prince George from Paris–Le Bourget Airport, landing specially at Windsor Great Park.[10][11][12]

Commencing in 1929 after extended international negotiations, the Argosy became one of the aircraft servicing the British Empire's inaugural air mail route from London to Karachi, India.[13] With the arrival of the Argosy Mk IIs in 1929, Imperial Airways upgraded their three Mk Is with identical engines to improve performance. On 28 February 1931, two re-engined Argosies inaugurated the air mail route extending to Cape Town, South Africa. However, this route posed significant challenges due to low reliability and left European services somewhat under-resourced.[14]

Imperial Airways lost three Argosies during operation: one was damaged beyond repair in a forced landing near Aswan, and another during a training accident in 1931; both incidents resulted in no casualties. On 28 March 1933, City of Liverpool caught fire mid-flight over Belgium, crashing with all three crew members and twelve passengers perishing.[2][15]

The Argosy remained in Imperial Airways' fleet until 1935. The final aircraft, City of Manchester (G-AACJ), was subsequently utilized for joyrides by United Airways Ltd at Stanley Park Aerodrome (Blackpool), which later merged into British Airways Ltd. It continued operating under British Airways until December 1936.[16]

Variants

  • Argosy Mk I : Equipped with three 385 hp (287 kW) Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar IIIA radial piston engines. Subsequently upgraded with Jaguar IVA engines. A total of three units were produced.
  • Argosy Mk II : Powered by three 420 hp (313 kW) Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar IVA radial piston engines. Four units were built.

Operators

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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 (later renamed City of Arundel)
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)

File:Armstrong Whitworth Argosy 3 view NACA Aircraft Circular No.14.png
Three-view diagram of the Armstrong Whitworth Argosy from NACA Aircraft Circular No.14

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See also

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Citations

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Tapper p209
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Donald 1997, p. 63
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Tapper 1988, p. 211
  4. ↑ Tapper 1988, p. 213
  5. ↑ Tapper 1988, pp. 213–214
  6. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  7. ↑ Tapper 1988, pp. 211–212
  8. ↑ Taylor 1980
  9. ↑ Tapper 1988, p. 212
  10. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  11. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  12. ↑ Tapper 1988, p. 217
  13. ↑ Tapper 1988, p. 215
  14. ↑ Tapper 1988, pp. 215–217
  15. ↑ Tapper 1988, pp. 217–218
  16. ↑ Tapper 1988, p. 218

Bibliography

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External links

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