Whitworth's three remaining Series 100s, intending to use them until the airline could receive its definitive Series 220s; during 1964, BEA had placed an order for five such aircraft. Reportedly, the Argosy had contributed to BEA possessing a superior air freighting ability to any other airline operating in the region, the type's double-end loading capability being a viewed as a crucial part of its economics. During its operations of the type, the airline lost two Series 220s in separate crashes, choosing to purchase another Argosy to replace the first lost aircraft. Reportedly, BEA's small fleet of Argosies was found to be unprofitable, even when BEA introduced the more-capable Series 220s; this has been attributed to BEA procedures relating both to safety and general operations. During April 1970, BEA opted to withdraw its Argosy fleet, choosing to replacing the type using a freighter conversion of its Vickers Vanguards. Two aircraft were operated by SAFE Air in New Zealand, where they formed the main link between the Chatham Islands and the mainland; these aircraft were fitted with a pressurised "passenger capsule". During April 1990s, one of these aircraft was damaged beyond repair as a result of a landing accident; a third Argosy was leased by SAFE Air from Australian company Mayne Nickless for five months during 1990 as a short-term replacement. During September 1990s, the final flight of a New Zealand Argosy was conducted by operator SAFE Air; the aircraft itself was retired and is presently being preserved by volunteer owners near Woodbourne Airport, Blenheim, New Zealand. During 1991, the last operational Argosies, which was being flown by American cargo airline Duncan Aviation, were withdrawn, marking the end of the type's flying history. Military use During the 1960s, the Argosy was procured for the Royal Air Force (RAF), the first of which entering service in March 1962. The service frequently made use of its capability to accommodate up to 69 troops, 48 stretcher cases or of freight. Operationally, it could carry various items of military equipment, including combat vehicles such as the Saracen or Ferret armoured cars, or artillery such as the 105 mm (4.13 in) howitzer or Wombat. However, subsequent design changes to both the Saracen and the Argosy's mainspar (which ran throughout the top of its cargo bay) subsequently precluded the use of the Argosy as a Saracen transport. During 1962, the earliest deployment of the Argosy was recorded as