Certainly the most rewarding result I had from Guernsey, the second Argosy to be built is seen here taxiing out in basic Air Anglia colours. First reg 2.1.59 then to Riddle, Zantop and Universal in the States; restored to G-APRL 11.73. Now preserved in Elan colours at the Midland Air Museum at Coventry

Another load of fresh flowers awaits its trip across the Channel. Hope the recipients of those roses appreciated the classy way they arrived!

First flown as G-1-7 and delivered to Riddle Airlines as N6502R in 1.61, this Argosy passed to Capitol, Zantop and then Universal as N895U. In 2.72 she returned to the UK for Sagittair (which earlier flew Beech 18s from Heathrow) but they soon closed down and the aircraft is seen here having been acquired by Air Bridge Carriers. Still at EMA, preserved in Elan colours at the Aeropark

The lofty and fairly spacious front office of the Argosy

Served at the time with BBA Cargo as VH-BBA It was overhauled and Registered N37807 later it returned to service registered VH-IPD

IPEC's former VH-BBA, seen here on overhaul. It was officially registered to World Vision International (of Monrovia, California) as N37807 on 14 Jul 1980, but at the time of this photo it was painted with the spurious registration "N87807½" on its left side. Eventually returned to service with IPEC as VH-IPD in June 1983.

One of six Argosys registered to Universal Airlines

Exhibited at the 1959 Farnborough Air Show with dummy loading through the open nose door. Later served Riddle, Capitol, Zantop and Universal Airlines.

VH-BBA arrived in Australia in 1974. Over the next nine years it spent four periods off the register. After the last it was restored as VH-IPD.

The aircraft carries out engine runs at the East Midlands Airport maintenance area. This aircraft is now preserved at the Midland Aircraft Museum at Coventry. In the background a British Airways BAC 1-11 can be seen, though I cannot recall ever seeing one here!

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

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

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.