IN the dim and distant past, families could turn up at Southend Airport 45 minutes before their flight which took them and their car to Europe...all for about £800.

In 1954, Air Charter Ltd, run by Freddie Laker (later of Skytrain fame) launched a service between Southend and Calais, charging from between £7 5s to £18 depending on the size of the car and £2 16s per adult passenger.

Called Carvair, it was a Douglas DC-4-based air ferry with a capacity of about 22 passengers in a rear cabin, and five cars loaded in at the front.

In many ways, the iconic Carvair was part of the golden era of Southend Airport and is certainly remembered as a huge part of Southend’s aviation history. 

The aircraft and its history is so important to aviation enthusiast Mark Willmott who has spearheaded a fundraising campaign to bring back the last surviving Carvair cockpit to Southend, which has already smashed its £3,000 target.

The money will be used to return the piece of history to Southend and pay for restoration work, before putting it on public display for aviation fans to admire.

READ MORE:

> The day film star Robert Mitchum touched down at Southend Airport

> When you could fly your car to Europe from Southend for just £800 return

Echo: Classic - Robert Mitchum touched down in a Carvair plane in 1963Classic - Robert Mitchum touched down in a Carvair plane in 1963 (Image: Submitted)

In a message to support his appeal on the crowdfunding website, gofundme.com, Mr Willmott’s message read: “Most of you will know my ridiculous passion for our humble Carvair and will understand the importance of saving this - the last surviving Carvair cockpit in the world.”

In total, 21 Carvairs were produced in the UK, with the production of aircraft 1, 11 and 21 at Southend Airport.

Carvair was known for transporting famous names in the 20th Century including action film hardman Robert Mitchum.

Mitchum came to Southend in May 1963 and his visit was covered by the Southend Standard newspaper at the time. The movie star landed on a British United Airways Car

Ferry flight from Calais, along with his Aston Martin sports car.

A scene from Bond movie Goldfinger involving a Carvair was also filmed at Southend Airport back in the 60s. 

Southend Council leader Tony Cox offered words of encouragement and spoke about the importance of preserving history in Southend.

He said: “I think it’s wonderful that residents are trying to preserve the remaining history in our city.

“Vintage aircraft has always had a connection with Southend if you think about the airshow, the Vulcan and the Concord.

“We are a city with an affinity with classic and vintage aircraft.”

The fundraiser has smashed its £3,000 target, reaching a figure of £3,740 from 68 donations.

Mr Cox added: “That’s wonderful news, marvellous, hopefully fingers crossed the organisers have enough to do the work they have in mind.

“We have many plane enthusiasts in our town, many people fly.

“History is history for enthusiasts so I wish them well in what they are doing.”

To donate visit bit.ly/43ZNF2K