NAC Air Freight

 

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Argosy

NAC Air Freight System

This leaflet was published by the National Airways Corporation before the merger in 1978, promoting air freight, with a big focus on its Safe Air division, for the haulage of larger freight consignments.  The Armstrong Whitworth Argosy aircraft (of which there were only two operated by Safe Air) were able to haul 12,000 kgs and operated between Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland.  

NAC focused not just on speed, but also the need for much less packaging and savings on pilferage (a known issue with railways in the 1970s), insurance and warehousing.  The leaflet ends with a complex depiction of the NAC air freight network, which is almost entirely passenger routes (including those by Mount Cook Airlines and Stewart Island Air Services).  Unfortunately for anyone picking up this leaflet, there are no contact details for an NAC Air Freight Representative, so presumably it is for those that are already NAC Air Freight customers?

Last Safe Air Argosy

Last Safe Air Argosy flight

Straits Air Freight Express (SAFE Air) was a mainstay of cross Cook Strait air services for decades.  Part of its service over the years is the little known New Zealand Railways Air Services which survived until 1983, but SAFE Air was a key air freight provider beyond that. In 1972 SAFE Air was bought by the National Airways Corporation (NAC), so it was inherited by Air New Zealand.  The Argosy fleet operated from 1968 primarily longer distance freight flights, and for some time (1982-1990) operated passenger services to the Chatham Islands with a custom built pressurised passenger capsule. 

As a Wellingtonian, the sound of the two Armstrong Whitworth Argosy's was a mainstay of SAFE Air services, distinct from the older noisier Bristol Freighters, with their distinct appearance and gentle drone.