Alliance A-1 Argo

The Alliance A-1 Argo was an American-built two-seat biplane of the late 1920s.

A-1 Argo
The sole surviving airworthy A-1 Argo biplane, 1929-built, at the Golden Wings Air Museum at Anoka near Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Role private owner biplane
National origin United States
Manufacturer Alliance Aircraft Corporation
First flight 1929
Status two survivors, one airworthy
Number built 20

Development

The Alliance Aircraft Corp of Alliance, Ohio was formed in 1928 by a reorganisation of the Hess Aircraft Co. The firm designed the A-1 Argo as a sturdy two-seat open-cockpit biplane for operation by private pilot owners. The Warrior seven-cylinder engine was designed and produced in the same factory at Alliance.[1]

Operational history

Because of the difficult economic climate then existing, only 20 A-1 Argos were completed. Alliance Aircraft then went into bankruptcy in 1930, being reformed briefly as the Warrior Aeronautical Corporation before that organization also foundered later the same year.[1]

Several Argo biplanes continued in operation by private owners until curtailment of civil flying in the USA in 1941. Two aircraft survived in mid-2009 of which NC2M is maintained in airworthy condition by Greg Herrick's Golden Wings Air Museum at Anoka County-Blaine Airport near Minneapolis, Minnesota, and can be visited by prior arrangement.[2]

The Ohio History Connection displays a static A-1 Argo on the plaza level of the Ohio History Center. This particular aircraft was constructed in August 1929 by the Alliance Aircraft Corporation of Alliance, Ohio.[3]

An Alliance Argo, N2M, is listed on the FAA Registry as serial number 108 built in 1929. This aircraft is owned by the Yellowstone Aviation Inc. in Jackson, Wyoming under a corporation listing.[4]

Specifications

Data from Aerofiles

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 1 passenger
  • Length: 20 ft 0 in (6.1 m)
  • Wingspan: 28 ft 8 in (8.74 m)
  • Gross weight: 650 lb (295 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Hess Warrior seven-cylinder radial , 125 hp (93 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 120 mph (192 km/h, 100 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 102 mph (164 km/h, 89 kn)
  • Stall speed: 44 mph (71 km/h, 38 kn)
  • Range: 350–400 mi (563–644 km, 300–350 nmi)

References
Notes
  1. "Alliance A-1 Argo (Technical details and photograph of the Alliance Argo)". aerofiles.com. 7 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-01.
  2. Ogden, 2007, p. 319
  3. "Where is it now. Collections from the Former Ohio History of Flight Museum". Ohio History Connection Blog. Ohio History Connection. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  4. "Faa Registry". FAA Registry. FAA. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
Bibliography
  • Ogden, Bob (2007). Aviation Museums and Collections of North America. Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-385-4.
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