Delivered to 267 Sqn in 4.63 but soon transferred to 215 Sqn at Changi. Joined 114/267 Sqn in 5.68 and featured at the Paris Air Show in 6.71 but 114 Sqn disbanded at RAF Benson four months later and the Argosy fleet went into storage with 5MU from 1972. XR106 was sold to Hants & Sussex Aviation for parts and succumbed to the scrapper's axe next month

Seen outside what was then Fields (now BMA) hangar. Note the BIA Cargo DC3 being serviced inside

This aircraft was operated by the Empire Test Pilots School. It is seen here receiving attention at Field Aircraft Services. Whilst I visited regularly it was rare for me to be allowed to take photos in the hangar. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair at RAE West Freugh on 1st October 1984

A tight squeeze to get this long-term Midland Air Museum exhibit in! One of a number of aircraft in the collection with strong local roots in the Armstrong Whitworth factory at Baginton

Just over the road from the RNZAF base at Woodbourne, this immaculately displayed machine is preserved by The Argosy Trust outside a cafe, recalling the period when it often operated from the airfield. Originally G-ASXN with BEA, it later went to Transair in Canada and then to NZ in 1974. A careful study of Google Earth back home had established that I'd get the best sun angle in the morning, but it was cloudy then. Note plastic owl bird scarer on the wing!

Sold for scrap metal in 1975

Formerly XP412 and named Hamilcar, this aircraft was slowly broken up for spares at EMA

This is the very first Argosy built. This prototype was delivered to British European as G-AOZZ in December 1961. Exactly seven years later they sold it to Detroit-based Universal Airlines as N896U, and it kept those marks ever since. The aircraft is seen here during the twilight of its active career. A little more than a year later it returned to its former home at Detroit / Willow-Run airport, for preservation in the Yankee Air Force Museum. Regrettably, it was completely broken up in 2013 for financial reasons, despite still being in very good condition.