Armstrong Whitworth AW.660 Argosy – Photos & Videos

O Armstrong Whitworth Argosy was a British post-war 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, while both models also shared the “Argosy” name.

Hawker Siddeley Argosy E Mk 1: During 1963, Hawker Siddeley Group dropped the names of its component companies, rebranding its products under the Hawker Siddeley banner. To meet a requirement for a 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 115 Squadron until they were replaced by the Hawker Siddeley Andover during 1978.

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The Armstrong Whitworth AW.660 Argosy was a military transport and cargo aircraft derived from the AW.650 civil model, which was the last aircraft designed and produced by Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft. The AW.660 had a distinctive appearance, with a box-like fuselage and a high wing that allowed for easy loading and unloading of cargo. The aircraft was powered by four Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engines, which gave it good performance and reliability. The AW.660 could carry up to 69 troops or 29,000 lb (13,150 kg) of cargo over a range of 2,000 mi (3,200 km). The aircraft also had a rear loading ramp and doors that could be opened in flight for paratroop operations.
The AW.660 first flew on 4 March 1961 and entered service with the Royal Air Force (RAF) later that year. It was mainly used for tactical airlift missions in Europe, Africa and Asia, as well as for humanitarian relief operations. The RAF operated 56 AW.660s until 1978, when they were replaced by the Lockheed C-130 Hercules . Some of the retired RAF aircraft were sold to civil operators or converted to fire-fighting roles. The last AW.660 flew in 1991.