Armstrong Whitworth AW.660 Argosy

The Armstrong Whitworth AW.660 Argosy was a British post-war military transport/cargo aircraft. To read about the 1920s airliner of the same name, see Armstrong Whitworth Argosy.

Designed as a replacement for the Vickers Valetta, the Argosy first flew in March 1961. It was the military counterpart to the AW.650 civil transport which had flown 27 months previously.

The Argosy had four Rolls-Royce Dart RDa.8 Mk101 1,998kW (2,680shp) engines driving Rotol four-blade propellers, upward/downward opening 'crocodile doors' for straight-in loading and air drops. Its strong tricycle landing gear allowed take-off and landing on rough or unprepared airstrips.

Production of the Argosy for the RAF totalled 56 aircraft which served in six squadrons; three in the UK and one each in Aden, Cyprus & the Far East. The Argosy was withdrawn from service in 1975 as an economic measure.

Specifications (Argosy C Mk.1)

General Characteristics

• Crew: four
• Capacity: up to 69 troops or 28,930 lb (13,150 kg) of cargo
• Length: 45 ft 3 in (27.18 m)
• Wingspan: 115 ft 0 in (35.05 m)
• Height: ft in ( m)
• Wing area: 1,458 ft² (135 m²)
• Empty: 10,200 lb (4,627 kg)
• Loaded: lb ( kg)
• Maximum takeoff: 102,784 lb (46,720 kg)
• Powerplant: 4x Rolls-Royce Dart RDa.8 Mk 101, 2,440 hp (1,820 kW) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 269 mph (431 km/h)
• Range: 3,269 miles (5,230 km)
• Service ceiling: 18,040 ft (5,500 m)
• Rate of climb: ft/min ( m/min)
• Wing loading: lb/ft² ( kg/m²)
• Power/Mass: hp/lb ( kW/kg)

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