During a visit to the Port Elizabeth SAAF Museum, Robert and Elizabeth Ward of the UK noticed that there was no representation of an Avro Anson aircraft from WW2 on display. They contact the Museum and offered to commission a painting of Avro Anson 3271, an aircraft which crashed, killing a relative, Roland Songhurst. Robert and Elizabeth wanted to commemorate Roland, Elizabeth’s uncle in a permanent exhibit in the Museum. Avro Anson serial number 3271 based at 42 Air School in Port … [Read more...] about PE SAAF Museum gains an Avro Anson painting
don bell
New reception for PE SAAF Museum
The PE SAAF Museum is in the process of modernizing its reception, and in doing so is aligning itself to compete with other progressive international museums. The reception is being funded largely by local business sponsors and donors who have selflessly heeded the urgent call for assistance. This shows that support for an important heritage and historic focused destination is important to the majority of the city. When complete, the new reception will comprise a shop selling aviation and … [Read more...] about New reception for PE SAAF Museum
Buccaneer Flight Simulator School Holidays
The Buccaneer Flight Simulator in the PE SAAF Museum will be open for school children bookings these October school holidays from 09h00 - 14h00 on 3rd to 11th October at specially reduced rate of R40 per 1/2 hour. Bookings essential. Sit in the cockpit of a real Buccaneer flight simulator and fly the integrated gaming-sim enabling a realistic experience of flying the real aircraft. Many different types of aircraft and airport locations to select from and a short training session … [Read more...] about Buccaneer Flight Simulator School Holidays
SAAF Museum celebrating Spitfire progress
The PE SAAF Museum reached an important milestone with the installation of the propellers for the full scale model SAAF Supermarine Spitfire IX. The project, which started in March 2010, is being built for the museum by the Woodpecker Trust, the Friends of the Museum and volunteers. The project has been possible thanks to the support from the SAAF Museum, donors, local and international visitors as well as technical experts. The aircraft, a replica of the famous WW2 fighter only has … [Read more...] about SAAF Museum celebrating Spitfire progress
100 years since the birth of Andre Vancoillie
The memory of well known Russell Road College Fine Artist and Lecturer, Andre Vancoillie (1914-1975) lives on in a tribute web site created by local artist and pupil Don Bell (with assistance from MyPE). 100 years have passed since Andre Vancoillie's birth on 4 July 1914. As Don says; "Because Andre’ Vancoillie was not afforded the recognition he deserved during his lifetime by the establishment, Don is donating his time to rectify this by populating the web site with Andre’s history, … [Read more...] about 100 years since the birth of Andre Vancoillie
Tony Douglas Jones – “I fly for the fun of it.”
Well known artist and aviation art specialist Don Bell interviews senior local aviators of Nelson Mandela Bay for the Port Elizabeth South African Airforce Museum's Pathfinder Magazine in an effort to stimulate members of the public to take a bigger interest in the aviation industry and help to protect our SAAF heritage. Don recently chatted to Tony Douglas Jones - a well known local businessman and pilot - who was born in Port Elizabeth on 19 February 1944 during WW2 and from a young age has … [Read more...] about Tony Douglas Jones – “I fly for the fun of it.”
Extracts from the diary of Group Captain E.A. Douglas-Jones (RAF)
Artist and PE SAAF Museum magazine editor, Don Bell, recently uncovered a wonderful link between the Royal Airforce during World War II and a local Port Elizabeth pilot. Don says; "I was visiting my brother-in-law, Tony Douglas-Jones, recently and as usual, got talking about aviation. Tony, a retired local businessman and active pilot, related how he had an uncle in the RAF during WW2. This immediately piqued my interest because I have been trying to find an interesting story about a locally … [Read more...] about Extracts from the diary of Group Captain E.A. Douglas-Jones (RAF)
Airspeed Oxford Restoration
The local friends of the Port Elizabeth South African Airforce Museum are a friendly bunch busy with many projects designed to enhance the visitor experience to the local Airforce Museum. Museum friend, Paul Stringer, writes about the restoration of the Airspeed AS-10 Oxford Mk2: The holiday period affected progress on the Oxfords restoration, as did a considerable time spent trying to correct the sudden inability of the spray gun used to paint some of its parts, to coat properly. … [Read more...] about Airspeed Oxford Restoration
Support PESAAF Museum at the PE Air Show
The Port Elizabeth SAAF Museum and the PE Friends of the Museum have just launched their 2013 Collector's calendar to raise much needed funds for the Museum. The calendar depicts North American T-6 Harvards of the SAAF based in PE flying over the city in the 50's and 60's. The calendars are full colour and A2 size and can be purchased from the SAAF Museum for R20.00 each. Don Bell donated the image of his painting that is permanently on show in the Museum Aviation Gallery and SPAR and … [Read more...] about Support PESAAF Museum at the PE Air Show
Lady Heath – PE Winner of first aerial race
Although not a South African, Lady Heath is an important part of South African aviation history. Lady Sophie Mary Heath (31) won the first aerial race in South Africa on 8th January 1928 at Port Elizabeth's Fairview Flying Field in an Avro-Avian bi-plane. Four pilots took part in the race – Lady Heath, Major Allister Miller, W.E. Swann and Lomax. Major Miller landed the first plane in Port Elizabeth in 1917. Lady Heath won the Humewood Trophy. In 1928, the Avro-Avian was sold to Amelia Earhart, … [Read more...] about Lady Heath – PE Winner of first aerial race
