Armstrong Whitworth Argosy

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

The Armstrong Whitworth Argosy was a 3 engined biplane airliner built by the Armstrong-Whitworth company and operated by Imperial Airways. It was Armstrong-Whitworth's first aircraft design, stemming from a declaration by Imperial Airways that all it's aircraft would be multi-engined designs on the grounds of safety. They were intended to replace the older single-engined de Havilland aircraft that Imperial Airways had inherited from its constituent companies, mainly Daimler Airways. The Argosy was used on European routes, usually London to Paris, and the fleet were named after British cities.

Argosies implemented the world's first 'named' air service, the luxury 'Silver Wing' service from London to Paris, in Argosy 'City of Birmingham' (G-EBLO). Two seats were removed and replaced with a bar and a steward was in attendance.

[edit] 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.
Argosy Mk II : Three engined airliner. Powered by three 420-hp (313-kW) Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar IVA radial piston engines.