Archive for February, 2012

Lt-Col Mike O’Connor (Image by David Nomtshongwana - New Age Online)

The new man in charge of South Africa’s military aviation history knows full well how difficult his task is, especially with “austerity” the current buzzword, rather than force preparedness.

The SA Air Force Museum, headquartered at AFB Swartkop in Centurion, with branches at AFB Ysterplaat in Cape Town and at AFB Port Elizabeth, has long been fighting the budgetary battle and “we will no doubt continue to do so”, said Lt-Col Mike O’Connor. He has just taken over as officer commanding from Lt-Col Willie Nel, who was moved to SAAF headquarters and now looks after air servicing units.

“Partnerships have long been an integral part of museum operations, whether they are with the business or commercial sector, and the three Friends of the Air Force Museum associations. I will be building on the strength of existing partnerships and looking for new ones to improve the proud record of our military aviation history,” he said.

The 25-year SAAF veteran will build on the start made to marketing the Swartkop museum as a venue for events, ranging from product launches and team building exercises to weddings and children’s birthday parties.

“While each on its own might not be a major money spinner, added together the total is not to be sneezed at.”

He says the base, where there is only one SAAF squadron still operational, has at times hosted up to four children’s birthday functions on a single day.

“Give them an aircraft to use as shade and a home base for a few hours and you have no idea how much the youngsters enjoy it. Bicycles whizzing up and down the flight line, kids marvelling at aircraft like vintage Mirage fighters, Buccaneer fighter bombers, Canberra bombers, Super Frelon and Puma helicopters as well as C-160 transport aircraft, among others, all make for a day with a difference,” O’Connor said.

He is confident the museum will shortly add at least another three airworthy vintage aircraft to its inventory. These are a Tiger Moth, a Chipmunk and a Patchen Explorer. Also on his short-term to-do list is the acquisition of a C-47 twin-engined transport from nearby Snake Valley and a clean-up and paint job of the venerable Shackleton.

As always, the museum’s major event of the year is its annual airshow. Scheduled for May 12, O’Connor is confident it will draw even more visitors than last year’s estimated 75000.

“I’m sure the 2012 Museum airshow will be a hit and ensure sufficient income for us to keep on caring for the vintage aircraft that are part and parcel of our history.”

(Article reprinted with kind permission – Kim Helfrich, New Age Online)

SAAF No 19 Sqn Beaufighter over the German occupied town of Zuzemberk

QUESTION:

Dear Sir or Madam,
I research to find any information about the following crashed-ditched.
0n 12 September 1944 a Beaufighter KV-930 of 19 (SAAF)Squadron,crashed near to the shore of Ithaki Island (Greece).Both crew members survived the crash.
My interest is in discovering further information.Any details that you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
Yours Sincerely
Pavlos Lykoudis

ANSWER:

QUESTION

I am seeking information on a vampire that forced landed after a flame out. Unfortunately I do not have exact detail except that this event took place approximately July 1959 whilst operating from AFS Langebaanweg.

It would be greatly appreciated if you could help in any way.

ANSWER
The incident you’re referring to took place on 3 August 1959 when 2nd Lt R.H. Flower-Day (the newspaper’s spelling) forced-landed Vampire FB.6 serial 220 in a cornfield on the farm ‘Schoongezicht’ some 14km from Morreesburg.

The pilot walked away but the aircraft was written-off following the Board of Inquiry.

I have two news clippings of the event, I’ve attached for your reading.

Regards

Steve McLean
Research Assistant to SAAF Museum

AFB Ysterplaat, Cape Town

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