SAAF Museum birds in Action

Time Aviation SAAF Museum air show excels - Text and photos by Mark Mansfield

THE SOUTH African Air Force Museum, partnered with Time Aviation, the Bombardier agents for Africa, last month hosted what will probably do down as the biggest air show of 2013 and this, despite budgetary constraints and very little participation by the SA Air Force itself.

And judging by what the 35 000-strong crowd saw during the two-day event – despite the weather on the first day – the Time Aviation SAAF Museum Airshow will certainly be in line to capture the Aero Club of South Africa’s annual Best Airshow of the Year award for the third year in succession. The show was opened by the Golden Eagles skydiving team, despite the cold, windy and overcast weather. Most of the regular aerobatic teams were represented with the Eqstra Flying Lions, Gabriel Pitts Specials and Goodyear Pitts Specials performing their magic in the skies of AFB Swartkop.

Two heavy jets, a B727 from Fortune Air and, making its debut air show appearance, a B737-800 from Mango Airlines, had the crowds pinned against the fence as they performed high-speed fly-pasts. Not to be outdone by the modern aircraft, a DC-3 from Springbok Air showed off its air show performing ability.

 

Showstoppers always come from the jets, especially military jets, and despite a no-show by the SAAF, the crowd was treated to an assortment of jets and loads of noise, with a very brief appearance of a Cheetah D, which unfortunately had to return to its home base as it developed a technical problem. This did not dampen the show, as two Eastern Block jet trainers, an L29 and an L39, buzzed the crowd with fast paced jet action. Not to be outdone by the Eastern countries, British representation was in the form of a Hawker Hunter, and a de Havilland Vampire, both sporting Swiss Air Force livery. Holding up the South African side of jet trainers was the immaculately maintained Impala.

A Tiger Moth, Boeing Stearman, and a very rarely seen Fairchild represented classic aircraft. The Harvards, a Trojan T28, Yak 52, and a Mustang P51 flew other exciting displays. Fast-paced solo aerobatic action came from three of South Africa’s top aerobatic performers – Nigel Hopkins flying his Cirrussponsored MX2, Johnie Smit in the Slick 360 and Brad Bennets flying the Mazda Zoom Zoom Extra 300.

From the rotor wing side, were the SAAF Museum’s Puma, Alouette II and III, as well as a civilian owned Bell 407, which was also used in the Bentley/helicopter race, which was narrowly won by the car. The only negative side to the entire show, was the final display by the SAAF Silver Falcons Aerobatic team. Due to a lack of funding by the SAAF, the team has been cut from all public appearances to try and save costs. This was also the final display of Team 73, as the new Team 74 will hopefully fly again soon.

Accolades must go to Colonel Mike O’ Connor and his team for tirelessly promoting the importance and preserving the heritage of the SAAF museum, which has grown into a world-class facility with the largest serviceable museum fleet on the continent. As mentioned, the SAAF Museum received no funding from the SAAF, and the only way to have made this show possible was due to the generosity of the main sponsors, Time Aviation, and the Paramount Group. Understanding the importance of maintaining the heritage of the SAAF Museum, and acknowledging that in order to bring aviation to the people, the show must go on. Time Aviation and Paramount Group covered all the major costs.

It was also the first time at any air show in South Africa that the entire media contingent was fully supported by Canon SA. Canon Professional Services (CPS) had a team of technicians on hand to service and loan bona fide media with camera and technical support.