Five a day - Part 16

[haveblue]

Two Rolls Royce Dart powered RAF transport stalwarts, the Andover and the Argosy. The Andover in the RAF NEAF scheme as seen on the early RAF C130s, and the Argosy in the standard Transport Command colour scheme, although the examples here undertook radar calibration duties. The Argosy, or "whistling wheel-barrow", could bash the circuit second only to the Shackleton in that role.

Andover C1 RAF Ser XS641 - RAF Lossiemouth 1970s by Alan M, on Flickr

Andover C1 RAF Ser XS596 - RAF Lossiemouth 1970s by Alan M, on Flickr

Argosy RAF 115 Sqn Ser XN855 - RAF Lossiemouth 1970s by Alan M, on Flickr

Argosy RAF 115 Sqn Ser XP443 - RAF Lossiemouth 1970s by Alan M, on Flickr

Argosy RAF 115 Sqn Ser XR137 - RAF Lossiemouth 1970s by Alan M, on Flickr

[Keflavik69]

Again a very nice selection Haveblue. Photo 3 is an absolute beauty.
Arnold

[Punkrunner62]

Great to see this again, i never saw an operational Argosy, but remember the 115 Squadron Andovers in the red and white scheme on calibration duties, that normally meant a quiet day visitor wise as they would hog the circuit.
Cheers.

[eLaReF]

i never saw an operational Argosy,

You have to be a certain age. By 1973 this was almost the only way to see them...

Argosies!! (Several) by eLaReF, on Flickr

[Punkrunner62]

Hi eLaReF, the only one i saw was on the dump at Lossiemouth. Is that ten in that line up?.
Cheers.

[eLaReF]

Hi eLaReF, the only one i saw was on the dump at Lossiemouth. Is that ten in that line up?.
Cheers.

I must have more fingers than you (Or use my toes as well?)

13 but more were there

XN818, 820, 849, 858
XP411, 437, 438, 440, 445, 446, 447, 449
XR107, 108, 109, 136, 139

[Precinct7]

Hi eLaReF, the only one i saw was on the dump at Lossiemouth. Is that ten in that line up?.
Cheers.

and the only one I Never saw , was the one on the dump at Lossie XP439 !!

[Mustang531]

Thanks for putting these up, I remember camo Andover's in the early days, when they were based at Thorney Island. One did still operate in camo with 115 Squadron at Benson, where it was affectionately known as the Brown Bomber. I saw several Argosies in service and after retirement, visited Kemble a couple of times, noting twenty or so on the ramp. XN855 survived for several years at Manston Fire School, there were also a couple at Halton used for instructional purposes in about 1989.

[Nighthawke]

The Argosy is one of my favourites that I never saw fly. XP442 T2 and XR140 E1 were the two at Halton, and I think the only other ex-RAF complete one in the UK is XP411 at Cosford.

[paddyboy]

More fab oldies, Alan

Brings back great memories of ‘At Home’ days at my beloved Coltishall

As nippers, we called the Argosy the ‘flying tit’

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

[TimFoo]

XN855 - the only picture I ever took of an RAF Argosy is that one in those colours on its belly at Manston fire school in 1986......

[Stratocruiser]

Ah, yes ... this is a real treat
As I mentioned in your previous Herc submission, these birds were regular 'crew training' features at Hurn during the 70's.
It follows that your super pics brought back some very fond memories of my youth, so a very big thank you for sharing them

[eLaReF]

Most of my own Argosy shots are about this quality unfortunately

But it's camo!

XP443 Armstrong Whitworth Argosy C.1 114-267Sq by eLaReF, on Flickr

[eLaReF]

But in my album of 'Bought Prints' from the 70's I do have this better shot

XR134 Armstrong Whitworth Argosy C.1 msn 6789 by eLaReF, on Flickr

[Sparts99]

Another great post, thanks. I nearly blagged a flight in an Argosy at Laarbruch when I was on ATC camp, they were calibrating the ILS, 115 Squadron?, must've been 1977. Always a favourite at BoB At Home days at Biggin Hill along with the Beverley which seemed cavernous to a nipper.

[mancman]

Here's one of the airframes used for instruction at Halton.

XP442 Argosy RAF Halton 1989 by Andy Bird, on Flickr

[NickB]

That pic of '855 is a peach - another fab set. Thank you.

[F3]

Here's the only Argosy I ever caught which was in the Finningley static in the early '80s and must have been one of the last in operation.

Finningley - Argosy by Michael Britton, on Flickr

[Punkrunner62]

Hi eLaReF, now that i count them again, you're right its 13, where was this taken?, thanks.
Cheers.

[haveblue]

Hi Sparts99. Saw a few Argosies but only ever one Beverly (XB259 I think). Would have loved to see one (or better many) on the ground to appreciate their size more.