NEWS & EVENTS - MUSEUM
19 September 2024
Hard landing for Air Force Museum Alouette II â€" no injuries
Museum
An SA Air Force (SAAF) Museum Alouette II, piloted by retired general Piet Burger, made a hard landing at the Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing (AF MDW) on Wednesday.
20 May 2024
SAAF Memorial service held despite vandalism
Museum
The annual South African Air Force Memorial service has been held at the Bays Hill memorial, north of the Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing, formerly known as Swartkop Air Force Base, despite extensive vandalism done last year.
16 April 2024
SAAF memorial off-limits
Museum
â€Å"Acts of vandalism and desecration†mean the SA Air Force (SAAF) memorial on Bays Hill immediately north of what is now the Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing (AF MDW) is off-limits and will not be used for an annual memorial service.
4 April 2024
SAAF Museum air show 2024 to be a flight through time
Museum
On Saturday 4 May the sky above the western side of Centurion will be abuzz with aircraft for the SA Air Force (SAAF) Museum 2024 air show.
22 March 2024
SA Air Force Museum’s Korean War Hall re-opens
Museum
This week the Korean War Hall of Remembrance at Swartkop Air Force Base Museum in Pretoria was opened after a substantial upgrade. The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Dong-Han Yang and Chief of the SAAF, Lt Gen Wiseman Mbambo, jointly
13 November 2023
Cape Town hosts first 'Turn Towards Busan' Korean War commemorative ceremony
Museum
In a heartfelt tribute to the South Africans who served and lost their lives under the UN flag during the 1950-53 Korean War, the inaugural Cape Town "Turn Towards Busan" commemorative ceremony took place this past Saturday.
30 June 2023
First public ground run in over three years for Ysterplaat Shackleton
Museum
Not even the current bout of cold, wet, wintry weather in the Western Cape could dampen the enthusiasm of military aviation enthusiasts who turned up at AFB Ysterplaat for the first public Shackleton ground run in over three years.
28 June 2023
DC-3 racks up 80 years in the SAAF
Museum
June 2023 marks what should have been a landmark event for the SA Air Force (SAAF).
5 May 2023
Museum aircraft lands safely in field.
Museum
A SAAF Museum Kudu light aircraft experienced an engine failure yesterday afternoon and landed safely in a field.
17 January 2023
SAAF Museum air show returns in May
Museum
The SA Air Force (SAAF) Museum air show will be back this year after a three-year hiatus
13 May 2022
New home at SAAF Museum for Dawid Stuurman gate guards
Museum
A shining example of “where there’s a will there’s a way†saw volunteers with a common interest in aviation band together to move two neglected aircraft “in service†as gate guards to a new home at the Port Elizabeth branch of the SA Air Force (SAAF) Mus
29 April 2022
No SAAF Museum air show this year
Museum
There will almost certainly be no SA Air Force (SAAF) Museum air show this year, even though COVID-19 restrictions are considerably more relaxed regarding outdoor gatherings.
10 February 2022
Burnt hangar at oldest air force base not rebuilt
Museum
The intensity of the fire which ripped through hangar 8 at Air Force Base (AFB) Swartkop two-and-a-half years ago was such that the hangar was determined “not sound†and demolished.
14 January 2022
SAAF Museum flying training days back
Museum
Military aviation enthusiasts and photographers can again access their monthly fix in the form of SA Air Force (SAAF) Museum flying training days on the first Saturday of every month.
27 September 2021
Temporary home for Oryx 1234 at AFB Swartkop
Museum
The helicopter population of the oldest base in the SA Air Force (SAAF) â€" Swartkop in Centurion â€" has grown by one but the rotorcraft will neither be operational nor join other exhibits at the SAAF Museum.
18 September 2021
SAAF Museum to acquire new helicopter exhibit (Updated)
Museum
As a consequence of an underfunded budget, the SAAF is having to delay maintenance of Oryx helicopters.
26 February 2020
Gate guards are part of military aviation history and tradition
Museum
The deployment of gate guards in the form of aircraft no longer in service is a time-honoured tradition in air forces around the world and the SA Air Force (SAAF) is no different.
8 September 2019
2020: Airforce looks to celebrate centenary through 25 years of Democracy
Museum
The South African Air Force (SAAF) is planning on hosting a number of activities during 2020 to celebrate the official founding of what is commonly referred to as the second oldest Commonwealth air force.
10 August 2019
Historical hangar damaged in AFB Swartkop fire
Museum
A hangar fire at AFB Swartkop, home to the SAAF Museum, was contained on the morning of Saturday 10 August.
17 April 2019
Election puts SAAF Museum airshow on hold
Museum
The South African Air Force (SAAF) Museum at Air Force Base Zwartkop will not hold its annual air show on May 4 with national and provincial elections four days later cited as the reason for postponement.
12 September 2018
SAAF Museum Spitfire fighter project at ‘critical point’
Museum
The South African Air Force (SAAF) Museum project to rebuild, into flying condition, one of only two Supermarine Spitfires in South Africa has reached a critical point, requiring significant investment to be able to effectively proceed.
6 November 2017
Angola asked for return of MiG-21
Museum
After almost 30 years of a MiG-21 fighter jet being in South African hands, Angolan officials have stated that the aircraft remained the property of their country.
20 September 2017
SA returns MiG fighter to Angola
Museum
Under a cloak of secrecy, the South African government has returned a MiG-21 fighter jet that it acquired during the Border War conflict in 1988.
15 August 2016
SAAF Museum working on restoration projects and transformation displays
Museum
As part of its role in preserving South Africa’s military aviation heritage through its museum, the SAAF is compiling a history which is inclusive and reflects all factors that have made the SAAF what it is today.
4 March 2016
New boss for SAAF Museum
Museum
The new man in charge of the SAAF's military aviation history via its three museums is Lieutenant Colonel Thor Fredericks.
Hard landing for Air Force Museum Alouette II â€" no injuries
Museum
An SA Air Force (SAAF) Museum Alouette II, piloted by retired general Piet Burger, made a hard landing at the Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing (AF MDW) on Wednesday.
SAAF Memorial service held despite vandalism
Museum
The annual South African Air Force Memorial service has been held at the Bays Hill memorial, north of the Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing, formerly known as Swartkop Air Force Base, despite extensive vandalism done last year.
SAAF memorial off-limits
Museum
â€Å"Acts of vandalism and desecration†mean the SA Air Force (SAAF) memorial on Bays Hill immediately north of what is now the Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing (AF MDW) is off-limits and will not be used for an annual memorial service.
SAAF Museum air show 2024 to be a flight through time
Museum
On Saturday 4 May the sky above the western side of Centurion will be abuzz with aircraft for the SA Air Force (SAAF) Museum 2024 air show.
SA Air Force Museum’s Korean War Hall re-opens
Museum
This week the Korean War Hall of Remembrance at Swartkop Air Force Base Museum in Pretoria was opened after a substantial upgrade. The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Dong-Han Yang and Chief of the SAAF, Lt Gen Wiseman Mbambo, jointly
Cape Town hosts first 'Turn Towards Busan' Korean War commemorative ceremony
Museum
In a heartfelt tribute to the South Africans who served and lost their lives under the UN flag during the 1950-53 Korean War, the inaugural Cape Town "Turn Towards Busan" commemorative ceremony took place this past Saturday.
First public ground run in over three years for Ysterplaat Shackleton
Museum
Not even the current bout of cold, wet, wintry weather in the Western Cape could dampen the enthusiasm of military aviation enthusiasts who turned up at AFB Ysterplaat for the first public Shackleton ground run in over three years.
DC-3 racks up 80 years in the SAAF
Museum
June 2023 marks what should have been a landmark event for the SA Air Force (SAAF).
Museum aircraft lands safely in field.
Museum
A SAAF Museum Kudu light aircraft experienced an engine failure yesterday afternoon and landed safely in a field.
SAAF Museum air show returns in May
Museum
The SA Air Force (SAAF) Museum air show will be back this year after a three-year hiatus
New home at SAAF Museum for Dawid Stuurman gate guards
Museum
A shining example of “where there’s a will there’s a way†saw volunteers with a common interest in aviation band together to move two neglected aircraft “in service†as gate guards to a new home at the Port Elizabeth branch of the SA Air Force (SAAF) Mus
No SAAF Museum air show this year
Museum
There will almost certainly be no SA Air Force (SAAF) Museum air show this year, even though COVID-19 restrictions are considerably more relaxed regarding outdoor gatherings.
Burnt hangar at oldest air force base not rebuilt
Museum
The intensity of the fire which ripped through hangar 8 at Air Force Base (AFB) Swartkop two-and-a-half years ago was such that the hangar was determined “not sound†and demolished.
SAAF Museum flying training days back
Museum
Military aviation enthusiasts and photographers can again access their monthly fix in the form of SA Air Force (SAAF) Museum flying training days on the first Saturday of every month.
Temporary home for Oryx 1234 at AFB Swartkop
Museum
The helicopter population of the oldest base in the SA Air Force (SAAF) â€" Swartkop in Centurion â€" has grown by one but the rotorcraft will neither be operational nor join other exhibits at the SAAF Museum.
SAAF Museum to acquire new helicopter exhibit (Updated)
Museum
As a consequence of an underfunded budget, the SAAF is having to delay maintenance of Oryx helicopters.
Gate guards are part of military aviation history and tradition
Museum
The deployment of gate guards in the form of aircraft no longer in service is a time-honoured tradition in air forces around the world and the SA Air Force (SAAF) is no different.
2020: Airforce looks to celebrate centenary through 25 years of Democracy
Museum
The South African Air Force (SAAF) is planning on hosting a number of activities during 2020 to celebrate the official founding of what is commonly referred to as the second oldest Commonwealth air force.
Historical hangar damaged in AFB Swartkop fire
Museum
A hangar fire at AFB Swartkop, home to the SAAF Museum, was contained on the morning of Saturday 10 August.
Election puts SAAF Museum airshow on hold
Museum
The South African Air Force (SAAF) Museum at Air Force Base Zwartkop will not hold its annual air show on May 4 with national and provincial elections four days later cited as the reason for postponement.
SAAF Museum Spitfire fighter project at ‘critical point’
Museum
The South African Air Force (SAAF) Museum project to rebuild, into flying condition, one of only two Supermarine Spitfires in South Africa has reached a critical point, requiring significant investment to be able to effectively proceed.
Angola asked for return of MiG-21
Museum
After almost 30 years of a MiG-21 fighter jet being in South African hands, Angolan officials have stated that the aircraft remained the property of their country.
SA returns MiG fighter to Angola
Museum
Under a cloak of secrecy, the South African government has returned a MiG-21 fighter jet that it acquired during the Border War conflict in 1988.
SAAF Museum working on restoration projects and transformation displays
Museum
As part of its role in preserving South Africa’s military aviation heritage through its museum, the SAAF is compiling a history which is inclusive and reflects all factors that have made the SAAF what it is today.
New boss for SAAF Museum
Museum
The new man in charge of the SAAF's military aviation history via its three museums is Lieutenant Colonel Thor Fredericks.
