Argosy Museum’s 35-year journey culminates with grand opening

Paul Davidson vividly remembers the evening he first heard about SAFE Air. An item on a TV newscast announced that Straits Air Freight Express, based in Marlborough for four decades, would stop flying in six months.

Indeed, both of its two Argosy planes landed for the last time in 1990.

A filmmaker, Paul was struck by a question: How did a rural town end up housing two of the world’s largest freight aircraft? Pursuing the answer yielded “The Final Flight” – his acclaimed documentary that reached a wide audience on television.

In 1991, with the Argosies set to become scrap, Paul saved one and displayed it in Woodbourne. He received SAFE Air artifacts over the ensuing years. Fellow aficionados built a space to place them, and on Friday afternoon, Argosy Museum opened to the public.

Paul described the undertaking as “a huge effort” and reflected, “It’s taken 35 years … but it is important that the SAFE story not be forgotten. The new museum will help maintain that legacy.”

Representing the Marlborough District Council in place of Mayor Nadine Taylor, former mayor and current Councillor Gerald Hope officially declared Argosy Museum open. He praised Paul “for the enthusiasm you’ve shown, what you’ve accomplished here.”

Reunion

Around 50 supporters packed the adjacent Runway Café and raised glasses to toast people who were instrumental to the project. The group included former pilots such as Steve Howard and Allan Graham – who helmed the last flight of ZKSAF and ZKSAE, respectively – and Richard Holmden, among the first visitors to step foot in the museum.

Richard, who lives in Nelson and still flies commercial planes out of Blenheim, called piloting for SAFE Air “the best job in the world.”

Former staff and their descendants celebrated as well. Tim and Simon Lynskey came for their late father, Des Lynskey, who was the company’s longest serving general manager.  Jon Torgersen, an 11-year-old at Renwick School when his father, Helge, suffered SAFE’s lone fatal crash in 1957, described coming to the museum opening as “the most emotional day of my life.”

Referring to the place as “a small but rich museum,” Paul expressed his wish that people leave saying, “Well, I didn’t know that!”

Argosy Museum is behind the Runway Café at 760 Middle Renwick Road (SH6) in Woodbourne. Hours are limited. Visit argosy.org.nz for more information on SAFE Air and its aircraft.