Straits Air Freight Express (SAFE) Heavy Metal
Three of the Series 222 Argosies have been operated commercially in New Zealand from 1974 to 1990.
The first of the Series 222 Argosies arrived in Wellington on October October 27, 1973 On arrival in New Zealand the aircraft was registered ZK-SAF. After the hold floor was modified to accept SAFE Air 'cargons' - a palletised loading system, the aircraft went to work on October 31.
Over their 16 years of service, the Argosy aircraft were used for freight, mail, and passenger work. Initially the aircraft were operated on a freight trunk route of Auckland - Wellington - Christchurch with stops at Woodbourne. The route was later extended to Dunedin and Invercargill with stops in Hamilton, New Plymouth, and Palmerston North. Occassionally flights were made to Napier and Timaru. Charter flights outside New Zealand saw cargo carried to Norfolk Island, Noumea, Port Vila in Vanuatu, and Brisbane in Australia.
On Dec 22, 1981 it was announced that the Argosies would take over the Chatham Islands run from the Bristol Freighters.
The SAFE Argosy's first flight took place to the Chathams from Christchurch on June 16, 1982.
The SAFE Argosy final flight from Christchurch to the Chathams operated on the 27th of September 1990 and the final flight from Wellington operated on the 29th of September 1990.
The SAFE Argosy's last flight was on September 30th to Wellington and Christchurch then back to Woodbourne.
ZK-SAF over Napier
