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
PE SAAF Museum
31 July 1970 – Black Tot Day
Black Tot Day memorialises the day on which the Royal Navy discontinued its daily rum ration, known as the daily tot. "Round the world" in every ship of the Royal Navy, glasses were raised in their final salute, and it's no exaggeration to say, that at that moment, many a strong man shed a tear at the passing of a tradition so old and fine, that was to be no more. But, pockets of men still continue this tradition today in Port Elizabeth - the Due North Rum Club, based at the Algoa Bay Yacht … [Read more...] about 31 July 1970 – Black Tot Day
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
Attempted theft leads to temporary closure of PE Saaf Museum
Two factors are behind the current temporary closure of the SA Air Force (SAAF) Museum at AFB Zwartkop as well as its satellites at Air Force Bases Port Elizabeth and Ysterplaat. Museum Officer Commanding Lieutenant Colonel Mike O’Connor said an attempt to break into and remove items from a display case in one of the exhibit hangars at Zwartkop was “luckily” nipped in the bud. “Although nothing was taken it alerted me to the fact that I currently do not have sufficient personnel on base to … [Read more...] about Attempted theft leads to temporary closure of 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
Past Reflections – 42nd Air School
From the book being written by Paul Stringer. The Initial Military Occupants at Port Elizabeth With war clouds gathering, No 3 Squadron SAAF, equipped with Hawker Harts were sent to Port Elizabeth in September 1939, however, by December the squadrons last four Harts which were ferried back to Zwartkop where they were needed for advanced training duties. No 3 Squadron had been joined by No 14 Bomber/Reconnaissance (BR) Squadron flying three ex-SAA (SAAF Airways Wing) Junkers Ju 86's which … [Read more...] about Past Reflections – 42nd Air School
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)
