Log book checked: it was Lubumbashi, 3rd June '79 most likely and yes, I believe the Argosy was doing some space related research work.
Now tell me, did it have an APU or have I imagined that?
The crew (who may have only been the engineers) were not too impressed with the aeroplane - its lack or range with a decent payload if I recall correctly.
As for the downward looking glass panels in the nose, they may have been useful for map reading. Would there have been a drift sight?
As I recall, nothing worked in Zaire at the time. All VORs, NDBs, etc were either U/S or weren't available - no power. Our flying from/to Kinshasa into Lubumbashi, Kisangani and Goma was map-reading, DR, judicious use of the radar, etc.
Happy days. Sad to think of the poor old Argosy being chopped up there.