Visit the Swartkop South African Air Force Museum

Male Speaker: The South African Air Force Museum was established in 1973 under the able guidance of Colonel Peter McGregor. A decision was made to create satellite branches of the museum to enable the SAAF to present various aspects of the aviation heritage to other areas of South Africa. These branches form parts of the South African Air Force Museum headquarters of Swartkop and are situated in Cape Town with Air Force base Ysterplaat and Air Force base Port Elizabeth. The museum has been very fortunate in obtaining many very artifacts, aircrafts and other valuable memorabilia from not only the Air Force but members of the public who have a military aviation heritage at heart. This foresight and generosity has enabled the museum to present a very good insight into the history of the SA Air Force. School children visiting the South African Air Force Museum opens the doors to be part of the Young Falcons Program as these are youth development program from the South African Air Force to identify candidates to follow their career as engineers, educators, and pilots. The Museum uses both chronological and subjective layouts to tell the exciting story of military aviation development from the days of the Paterson Aviation School at Kimberly to modern day jets. The Mirage 3 on display is a pristine example of early jets in the South African Air Force at the display lands itself to closer investigation of this amazing aircraft. The helicopters display in hanger 1 display three helicopters that changed the history of rotory flight in South Africa. The center piece of the display is the Alpha XH1. This helicopter was developed in South Africa as the flag bearer of the South African's Air Force's Rooivalk attack Helicopter. The display also exhibits chapters of aviation history in South Africa through photographs and cabinet displays. Hanger 2 holds the collection of various cold war era aircraft. The Mirage F1 and Mig 21 on display are rare examples of fighter aircraft that actually flew during Angolan conflict. A wide variety of prototype aircraft, missiles and vehicles can be viewed in Hanger 2's display area. Hanger 3 at the museum is a treasure chest full of South African Aviation history. The display is own to the locally developed Cheetah Fighter Aircraft, the Korean War Veteran, The F-86 Sabre and the rare de Havilland Vampire currently undergoing restoration. The Buccaneer Exhibit well worth a visit and like the rest of the museum provides a wonderful opportunity for some amazing aviation photographs. The main display hall at the South African Air Force Museum is an insightful step back into the history of aviation in South Africa. The whole exhibits of rare aircraft components and historical memorabilia to the public. Further exhibits record the campaigns and specific operations in which the SA Air Force took part. There are displays depicting deliberation struggle and shows the efforts conducted to free South Africa from the shackles of apartheid. The hall is also home to one that early too and with The Fieseler FI-156 Storch aircraft in the world. The exhibits of various uniforms, artifacts and medals of famous aviators are tastefully displayed in glass faced cabinets. The Art Gallery in the main hall showcases various artists' portraying their illustration of South African Air Force Aviation.