QE2's Computer - Ferranti Argus 400

[cevn]

 I am conducting a global search for Ferranti Argus 700 or Ferranti Argus 500  computer hardware which may have been archived/stored  around 10 to 30 years ago.  Argus Computers were used on some liners for Telecoms, Drives, Balast Control, etc. The Argus was also used by Defence, Education, Emergency Services, most of the Process Manufacturers(steel, plastics, etc.) and most infrastructures such as Water, Energy, Transport .....
 
Please would you respectfully forward this request to your most "senior"  Electrical  / Computer Engineers in the hope that memories may be stirred and the potential for unearthing such hardware realised.
 
The search for this obsolete hardware is on behalf of our large UK customers who are still running such hardware, for use as spares. Circuit Boards, Processors, frames, parts, manuals, etc. would all have potential for being useful.
 
I realise this is an unusual request, as much time has passed, but these Ferranti Argus Computers were "state-of-the-art" in their day and used by most large Utility, Fire, Police, Post Office, Industrial, Defence, Hospitals, Education, Research and Manufacturing organisations across the UK and the World and of course on the QE2.

I do very much hope you can help and we can unearth a "forgotten" box of hardware stored safely away somewhere
 
 Ferranti Ltd. was taken over by Syseca and then by its current embodiment Thales.
 
 
Very best regards and thank you for your time.
 
Cevn
 
 
Cevn Vibert
Solutions Architect
Thales UK
Mountbatten House, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hants. RG21 4HU
www.thalesgroup.com/uk
+44 (0)7791 080623.
cevn.vibert@uk.thalesgroup.com
I am also contactable on a range of Business Networking sites
such as LinkedIn   http://uk.linkedin.com/in/vibertprofile

 

[Jakester]

Hello,

Am not sure of outside links are allowed, but this is a local source of treasures such as you seek. I have gotten Fairchild boards out of there 

http://www.weirdstuff.com/

If it exists, this is likely where it is...

Regards
Jake

[cevn]

 I am still on the hunt for Ferranti Argus kit.  (e.g. Primary Computer and Nav kit on QE2)
There is a good talk given by the Computer Conservation Society and BCS at the Science Museum next month.
Title:  Bloodhound on my trail: building the Ferranti Argus process control computer.
He doesnt talk about QE2 but about how the Computer came from Missile Guidance systems into Industrial Process Control use.
Speakers: Jonathan Aylen Date: Feb 16th 2012 Time:  14:30
Room open in advance (from 14.00) – meet up with society members.
Location:  Fellows Library of the Science Museum   Exhibition Road, London,SW7 2DD
London meetings take place in the Fellows’ Library of the Science Museum, starting at 14:30. The entrance is in Exhibition Road, next to the exit from the tunnel from South Kensington Station, on the left as you come up the steps.
Everything you should need to know will be on the Society's web page.
 http://www.computerconservationsociety.org/20120216.htm

[Rob Lightbody]

The attached information Is from the publication British Marine Progress 1969.

It was written by Tom Kameen, Director of Engineering for Cunard.

QE2's computer was revolutionary, and it is interesting to read what it did, and how they had already realised that it could be doing much more.

[Rob Lightbody]

Hi,

Please see the following topic.

The QE2's Story  » Design, Concept & Build » QE2 Concept and Design »

Note: Topics merged into this current topic: QE2's Computer - Ferranti Argus 400

[Rod]

And after re-engining....same functions taken over by a desktop!

[cunardqueen]

Some where l have a passenger list print out from October 1988 from the Pursers Office. Its pages and pages and pages long, printed out in the old style printer paper, it lists every passenger and their cabin number. Celebs and all and shows where they joined and disembarked from QE2 on a Med cruise.
I just need to dig it out and get a photo of it..
I still dont know why Cunard never produced passenger lists for the Farewell trips, there were passengers on these that l knew from previous years, and we never knew each other was onboard