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Aviation History
1960
1960 - 1597.PDF
2 September 1960 Britain's Aircraft 1960 Industry Aircraft SIR W. O. ARMSTRONG WHITWORTH AIRCRAFT LTD Baginton, near Coventry, Warwick*. Telephone: Tollbar 2261 AW.650 Argosy The Argosy was launched in 1956 as a private £10m venture, the Hawker Sddeley Group's first recent major civil project. It is aimed primarily at the big potential air freight business, and is still the only pressurized turboprop freight aircraft specially tailored to ccnnmercial use. It is also the only all-freight transport featuring both nose-loading and tail-loading. The Argosy was designed from the outset around four of the most proven turboprops available, namely the Rolls-Royce Dart 526 (RDa.7/2) of 2,100 e.sJi.p. The first Argosy flew on January 8, 1959, and six aircraft have now virtually completed the test programme. Certification is expected, following the necessary ARB route-proving trials, this autumn. Orders have been placed by Trans Arabia Airways (2) and the US all-cargo line Riddle Airlines (5), initial deliveries being due this autumn. Next year British European Airways will take delivery of three to develop the all-freight operations at present flown by DC-3 Leopard freighters. Other orders are being negotiated. Basically the Argosy is capable of uplifting its maximum payload of 27,0001b for a stage-length, with fuel reserves, of 690 statute miles. With reduced payload and maximum fuel (3,300 Imp gal) stage-lengths of up to 2,750 statute miles can be handled. The Argosy is suitable as a passenger airliner as well as a freighter, and up to 83 passengers can be accommodated. The aircraft is there- fore suitable for those airlines which do not specialize entirely in freighting, and which prefer a readily convertible aeroplane like the Argosy. AW.660 In June the order for this military multi-purpose freighter was increased to 40 air- craft, the first of which is to reach the RAF during 1962. An aerodynamic prototype flew on July 28, fitted with the "crocodile jaw" rear doors which form an integral loading ramp and may be opened in flight for parachuting of heavy loads. Smaller doors are provided for parachutists. Powered by four Rolls-Royce Dan RDa.8 military-rated turboprops, the 660 will be able to use grass strips and semi-prepared runways and cruise at 280 m.p.h. It will carry 69 troops or 31,3001b of bulky equipment. The first production 660 should fly in December and STOL developments have been mentioned. AW.670 Air Ferry A commercial variant of the Argosy, the Air Ferry is intended, as its name suggests, for car-ferry operations. It would be suitable also for short-haul high-density (126 seats) passenger operations, in the latter form being designated AW.671 Airbus. The 670 and 671 differ from the standard aeroplane in having a bigger, unpressurized fuselage. The illustrations on this page are (reading from the top): nose of the AW.650, AW.650 flight deck, installation of Dart engine, AW.660 aerodynamic prototype and air-to-air portrait of the fifth AW.650 Throughout pages 329-358 the letters B and H indicate that the company concerned is a member of the British Aircraft Corporation or the Hawker Siddeley Group respectively. • • « • • •
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