Home > Services > Royal Air Force
Armstrong Whitworth AW. 650 Argosy C. 1 9Q-COE
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Armstrong Whitworth AW. 650 Argosy C. 1 9Q-COE
(ex Royal Air Force) Armstrong Whitworth AW.650 Argosy C.1 9Q-COE (msn 6778, ex XP446), of O.R.A.S. (Otrag Range Air Services) at East Midlands Airport. XP446 was first flown on 4 October 1962 and delivered to the RAF on 7 March 1963. When the T.2 programme was cancelled the partially completed conversion of XP446 was sold to O.R.A.S. which provided air transport for the OTRAG rocket range in Zaire, hence the Zaire registration. OTRAG (German: Orbital Transport und Raketen AG, or Orbital Transport and Rockets, Inc.), was a German company based in Stuttgart, which in the late 1970s and early 1980s planned to develop an alternative propulsion system for rockets. After intense international pressure OTRAG was forced to re-locate to Libya, but had closed down by 1987. 9Q-COE was written off on 1 June 1979 and scrapped in 1980. Date: circa 1978
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 21131383
© The Peter Butt Aviation Collection / Mary Evans
1962 1963 1978 1979 1980 1987 Airport Alternative Argosy Armstrong Based Cancelled Closed Completed Conversion Delivered Develop Flown Forced Intense Libya Midlands Orbital Partially Planned Pressure Programme Propulsion Provided Range Registration Rocket Rockets Scrapped Services Sold Stuttgart System Whitworth Written Zaire
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Africa
> Libya
> Related Images
> Mary Evans Prints Online
> Peter Butt Transport Collection
EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph showcases the Armstrong Whitworth AW.650 Argosy C.1 (msn 6778, ex XP446), registration 9Q-COE, operated by O.R.A.S. (Otrag Range Air Services) at East Midlands Airport in circa 1978. The Argosy C.1, first flown on October 4, 1962, and delivered to the Royal Air Force on March 7, 1963, was originally intended for the T.2 programme. However, when the programme was cancelled, the partially completed conversion was sold to O.R.A.S., which provided air transport for the OTRAG rocket range in Zaire. OTRAG, a German company based in Stuttgart, aimed to develop an alternative propulsion system for rockets in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Due to intense international pressure, the company was forced to relocate to Libya. By 1987, OTRAG had closed down. The Argosy C.1, registered in Zaire, was written off on June 1, 1979, and ultimately scrapped in 1980. This image captures a significant moment in aviation history, showcasing the Argosy C.1's unique role in the OTRAG story. The aircraft's military origins and subsequent involvement in a controversial rocket development project make for an intriguing tale in the annals of flight.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
FREE COLORIZATION SERVICE
You can choose advanced AI Colorization for this picture at no extra charge!
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
