Argosy anniversary plans take off

At almost 60 years old, she is not as quick as she once was, but her stature still catches the eye.

She now sits stationary, her livery gleaming in nod to her former glory days.

And now the unique Argosy aircraft, the only one of its kind left in the world, is set to celebrate a special anniversary on 10 March.

The Woodbourne landmark will mark 60 years since it first took flight in 1965, and people are invited to share the celebrations and enjoy a slice of cake.

An impulse decision by local film maker Dr Paul Davidson saved the aircraft from the scrapheap.

“I rang the General Manager of SafeAir and asked him how much the scrap dealer was giving them to cut it up?” Paul explains.

“He told me, and I said - I’ll give you the same NOT to cut it up, and that was that.”

Sixty years after its first flight, and 35 years after its last flight, the Argosy is now a local icon and a significant piece of aviation history.

Paul is now working on a museum alongside the aircraft, which will tell stories of the Argosy and Bristol aircraft, Safe Air, and the many Marlborough people who flew or worked those unique craft.

He hopes to have the museum open later this year.

The Argosy is open to visitors every day except Sunday, with the anniversary celebrations taking place at 5pm at the Runway Café on Monday 10 March.