What sounded like a day of great promise, with some 26 EAA aircraft pre-registered to fly in to SAAF Mobile Deployment Wing Swartkops (formerly Air Force Base Swartkops). This would have been a rare historic occasion, as very few civilian aircraft have flown in to this historic military base in recent times, barring airshow participation. There was also an event at Jack Taylor airfield at Krugersdorp, but that was also hampered by the weather - see last week's Pilot's Post for the report.
Winter had made its last stand! Overcast, brisk gusting Northerly wind and bitterly cold. Initially the SAAF Museum Heritage Flight flying program was delayed by an hour due to wind and low cloud base, with the intention of reviewing the weather situation. Three EAA fixed wing members were able to make it to Swartkops along with a single Alouette II helicopter. Many of the EAA members who had pre-registered to fly in, either had to abandon their missions, or turn around shortly after takeoff due to low cloud and IMC conditions. The Museum flying program reverted to helicopters only and after the Alouette III had started up, it was wisely decided that there was to be no flying. The cloud-base had been at 500 ft!
The EAA aircraft that had clear enough weather to fly in, SAAF Museum Historic Flight ready, but after run-up checks on the Alouette III it was decided that no flying would take place, so the hard-working technical crew started returning the machines to Hangar 14.
Nevertheless, there was still a great deal of activity! Due to the lack of flying activity, visitors enjoyed visiting the static exhibits outside and in the hangars.
The Spitfire Restoration Project and the 24 Squadron Buccaneer teams were busy with their cockpit visits and memorabilia sales. Bazil Kriel was selling books and memorabilia, with a percentage of sales supporting Friends of SAAF Museum fund raising. The Sikorsky S-51 helicopter, Canberra 457 and Shackleton restoration projects were active in showing their activities and providing information to those that may have an interest in contributing or participating in their projects. Harvard Club of SA had their gazebo near the flight line.
24 Squadron team setting up out of the cold wind with Bazil Kriel already waiting for visitors.
Piet van Schalkwyk formerly of 60 Squadron chats with Stefaan Bouwer, and the radio room team have some of their exhibits outside the radio room door.
Sikorsky S-51helicopter restoration project member, Adrian Glanvill, was using a card-scraper to prepare the tail-rotor blades for new finish and had to also show his “best side”.
Karel Zaayman of the Aviation Shop and the SAAF Museum had their models, books and memorabilia on sale in the space of the old Windsock restaurant.
Karel Zaayman and the SAAF Museum had their wares on sale at the old Windsock and GrysKrag/Gray Power had their table with the jets in the “Delta Shelter” - they are one of the supporters of the Arthur Piercy Benevolent year.
The EAA held their monthly meeting, with a good attendance, despite the minimal fly in aircraft - not to be deterred, the members drove in. Those fixed wings that flew in were Sean Cronin (ZU-JBJ Jabiru 400), Moose Woods (ZU-BHP Bearhawk Patrol) and Charl Taljaard (ZU-BXX Z-159 Solo Wings Aquilla).
Determined EAA members group.
They had a most interesting presentation on the history and work of The Bateleurs by Steve McCurrach. Sven Kreher's mother, Nora Kreher, founded The Bateleurs along with Ian Player as the first Patron - at that time Chief Conservator of Northern Zululand Parks Board and later Head of the Natal Parks Board. They provide invaluable airborne support to conservation causes by donating their time, skills and aircraft. Some other key members of the Bateleurs were present.
Bateleurs branding for the EAA presentation, Bateleurs group: Karl Jensen (Eco Warrior), Sven Kreher (former Chairman), Steve McCurrach (Bateleurs CEO), Roger Bozzoli and Bill de Pinho (Director of Bateleurs) and then Karl Jensen sporting the rare Eco Warrior cap.
There was also the launch of Arthur Piercy's Benevolent Year, with the unveiling of the cockpit of his Mirage F1AZ cockpit section, which has recently been donated to the SAAF Museum. Kobus Toerien did a sterling job of presenting the endeavor in the biting wind and then Arthur and Gerda unveiled the cockpit. The co-author of Mig Diaries, Lionel Reid, was present and has donated 5 books which were in the process of being signed by many aviation legends. These books are to be auctioned on-line, with the bidding starting at R206, with #206 being the tail number of Arthur's original Mirage F1CZ. The auction runs from 2025-10-04 to 2025-10-18. A great opportunity to support a worthy cause and acquire a piece of history! Such is the wide interest, that at the time this report is being written, over R250 000 has already been donated or pledged for this worthy cause!
Arthur and Gerda with Kobus Toerien doing the honours of announcing their Benevolent year and then unveiling the #206 cockpit.
Generations - Mike Weingartz with Arthur and Maj Jean-Pierre Piosat with Arthur.
Arthur and Gerda looking to a better future because of the generosity of those with good hearts.
The Friends of the SAAF Museum were in fully swing, guiding visitors around exhibits in the hangars and providing boerewors rolls, hot and cold drinks and snacks, which were very welcome in the cold weather.
Friends braai-masters Alan Luck and Geoff Timms hard at work from early and the queues for tickets for refreshments were busy most of the day.
Vincent van Ryneveld, grandson of the late Sir Pierre van Ryneveld - instrumental in founding the SAAF, who was involved in the early years of the Spitfire Restoration project, before he moved away to the KZN North coast, made the long journey to showcase his visionary concept. He has recently embarked on a unique new venture - Spitfire Industries. He has designed fold-flat stainless steel braais in various sizes and different aviation themes. His partner, Fritz Kouwenhoven, handles the marketing aspects of the venture. He had the themed caps and accessories with some of the braais on display and one of the units was put to the test with great success by the Friends braai-masters. Vincent also made a presentation of some of the aviation-themed memorabilia to Arthur Piercy.
Spitfire Industries display - braais and accessories like the “panic handle”, caps, key-rings… all inspired by van Ryneveld heritage.
The Friends braai-masters gave one of the Spitfire Industries braais a “test-drive”.
Vincent van Ryneveld presented Arthur Piercy with some Spitfire Industries products.
Apart from the weather not playing along, this could have been a special flying event. However, some attention to coordinating scheduling, so that significant events do not fall on the same day in future could make for all events being better attended.
A special thank-you to the SAAF staff of the Base, Museum and other supporting functions behind the scenes for doing the necessary hard work and co-ordination for such an event. The Friends of the Museum, always present, provide the backing to make these days possible in support of preserving aviation heritage. The EAA are also to be commended for turning out to support the event and various projects, despite the weather.
SAAF Museum Open Day 02 03 2024 Part One Flying 664
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