Tag Archives: Swartkop Airshow
A Moment Time Stood Still-Air Force Base Swartkop
Wherever one wonders around aviation museums around the world, you wonder and think how aviation has come this far as we speak in 2019,expecially in South Africa .The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, Imperial war museum at Duxford and many more.Airforce Base Swartkop in Pretoria is also part of the elite museums to visit as an aviation enthusiast touring South Africa.
The Past..
The SAAF claims Swartkop is the second oldest air station in the world and the oldest operational air station in the world.Over the years many distinguished Squadrons have been based at Swartkop. This includes 26 Squadron which was formed there on 24 August 1942.
* Photos by Adrian Munro, Stefan Bouwer, Team Aviation Central and SAAF Museum archives
The Chief of the South African Air Force opened the relocated at AFB Swartkop in 1993. The Air Force Base reverted to Air Force Station status in 1999. This decision was made by the South African Air Force to vacate the base and leave behind the Museum located there and to keep the Airfield as an extension of Airforce Base Waterkloof. The SAAF Museum Historic Flight had also moved to Hanger 14 at the end of the Southern part of the base to this present day.
As of December 2013 the South African Air Force still hasn’t vacated all operational units on the base. The South African Airforce Museum currently occupies the northern side of the base while active SAAF units occupy the southern side of the base.
Air Force Base Swartkops over watches the residents of Valhalla, Centurion in Pretoria and most air force officers that outlasted their selection phase of pupes course and other forms of duties in the South African Airforce were boundless.
The famous SAAF memorial is located on Bays Hill in Swartkop outside overlooks the entire Airbase. Its familiar in pictures of SAAF fighters passing behind it as they brought the sound of freedom amongst visitors of many airshows held over the years. The memorial was unveiled 1 September 1963 by the then State President of South Africa Charles Robberts Swart. The unveiling ceremony was attended by 5000 people.
The history of the SAAF dates back after a visit to observe the 1912 military manoeuvres in Europe, Brig. Gen. C.F Beyers (who was then Commandant-General of the Defence Force) gave an extremely positive report on the future use of aircraft for military purposes to General Jan Smuts initiated an arrangement with private fliers in the Cape and established a flying school at Alexandersfontein near Kimberley, known as the Paterson Aviation Syndicate School, to train pilots for the proposed South African Aviation Corporation.. The first South African military pilot qualified on 2 June 1914.
On the 1 February 1920 Colonel Pierre van Ryneveld was appointed as the Director Air Service with the task of forming an air force, the date is used to mark the founding of the South African Air Force. In December 1920 the South African National insignia was added to aircraft for the first time.
4 Squadron was reformed in January 1951 at AFB Waterkloof as the Active Citizen Force element of 1 Squadron with Harvards and Spitfires until once again disbanded in October 1958. On 1 November 1961, it was reformed at Swartkop, flying Harvards and in August 1972 the first Impala Jets were received.
The squadron moved from Swartkop to Waterkloof and then to Lanseria Airport where it received Impala Mk IIs. It saw numerous deployments to South West Africa and Mpacha and Rundu airfields in southern Angola. Its home base remained at Lanseria until it was disbanded in September 1991.
Airshows at AFB Swartkop over the years..
For years many of Aviation Centrals followers have been to some of the many historical airshows at Airforce Base Swartkop in Pretoria. The shows have had a big impact in promoting aviation in South Africa and more military aviation.
Yester year youngsters watching former fast movers shadowing “Bays Hill” in the foreground in the form of Mirage IIIs,Mirage F1s and Cheetahs and today the Gripen as the countries 4.5 generation fighter aircraft. The echo of the sound of freedom is what draws the “vlamgat” lovers to these shows!
Swartkop has had a number of airshows over the years which were mainly known as flying days from when the museum had a big fleet of ex air force aircraft that were part of the shows program.This also saw many fighter aircraft from the then current and past SAAF from various fast mover squadrons,including Impalas, Mirages, Cheetahs and up till now to the current SAAF fighters Gripen and Hawk. Warbirds that have attended included PBY Catilina, DC3, DC4, DC6, JU52, Spitfires, Mustangs, Sea Fury’s, Yaks and the list goes on.
Ex Eastern block jet trainers such as the L39 and L29, Vampires, Hawker Hunters and a T2 Buckeye have touched down on Swartkops sloped runway on many occasions. Many airliners have taken part in shows and have landed at the base included MD80s, Airbus A319s, Boeing 707s, 727s and 737 series.
Photos below by Adrian Munro, Stefan Bouwer, Team Aviation Central and SAAF Museum archives.
Since 2012, the Chief of the South African Air Force, Lt Gen FZ Msimang, has initiated a programme to preserve and promote our Air Force history, which includes former TBVC states and the Armed Wings of Former Liberation Movements in relation to the corresponding political, social and economic dispensation of the country under the theme “embracing our collective heritage”. One of the fundamental elements in nation-building and cultivating a cohesive society is the reconfiguration of the heritage landscape to ensure that it reflects the diversity and the incredible efforts of the unity of our society.
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Aviation Events Calendar Orders
2019 Aviation Events Calendar
With
And
We have launched our 1st ever physical Aviation Events calendar for the year 2019. This being the 1st ever printed calendar for us, but definitely not the last. The cost per Calendar is R100 (ZAR) and courier cost R50 if within South Africa. Maximum of 5 calendars can be sent via one shipment (R50). On the Bottom of this page you will see a preview of all the pages on the calendar. The Calendar consists of 13 photos taken during the 2017 & 2018 season with the Stunning Mustang Sally owned by the Amazing gentleman by the name of Menno Parsons. Menno is truly a guy with many talents, successful businessman and has a heart of gold! Click here to view our online calendar!
How to order your Calendar(s)
Courier
Courier will be done with PEP stores PAXI serves and you will have to collect from your nearest PEP store. We selected the PEP PAXI option as to keep cost down. PEP PAXI was the cheapest option to get your calendar to you. Please make sure you have enter full address information (To locate your nearest PEP store). If possible get the PAXI code form your nearest PEP or online, this will assist us, but is not a requirement. To read more on PAXI or to get your PAXI code online goto https://www.paxi.co.za
*PAXI code – the code of your local PEP stores where your calender will be sent to.
Choose how many calendars do you need, Maximum of 5 per order, however more than one order can be placed. Do an EFT payment to the Bank account below and then complete the order form below and attaching your Payment proof. The Costing table below can be used as an guide. 1st Shipment will be done 5th January 2019 and then every Saturday with new orders that came in the week.
Collection
We will be having collection points in Pretoria North, Centurion, Durban, Rand Airport and Swartkop AFB (2nd Feb only) . If you opt for this you will not need to pay courier cost. Please take note of the rules on this option. Shipments will be made to these points on 11th Jan, 19th Jan and 2nd Feb 2019. If you place an order the shipment will be send to the collection point on the next shipment date after your order has been received (11th Jan, 19th Jan and 2nd Feb) After it has arrived at the collection point, we will contact you with the details on collection once they are ready for collection.
Choose how many calendars do you need, Maximum of 5 per order, however more than one order can be placed. Do an EFT payment to the Bank account below and then complete the order form below and attaching your Payment. The Costing table below can be used as a guide.
If we have stock left, We will be at Swartkop AFB 02 Feb 2019 for cash sales
Limited stock available, this order form will be closed once we are sold-out
Cost Per Calendar | Number of calendars | Courier cost | Total |
---|---|---|---|
R100.00 | 1 | R50.00 | R150.00 |
R100.00 | 2 | R50.00 | R250.00 |
R100.00 | 3 | R50.00 | R350.00 |
R100.00 | 4 | R50.00 | R450.00 |
R100.00 | 5 | R50.00 | R550.00 |
R100.00 | 1 | Collect | R100.00 |
R100.00 | 2 | Collect | R200.00 |
R100.00 | 3 | Collect | R300.00 |
R100.00 | 4 | Collect | R400.00 |
R100.00 | 5 | Collect | R500.00 |
For Bulk orders or any other questions please use WhatsApp number 081 392 1823 (text only) to get in contact with us.
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**Now the T&C’s**
- Calendar was printed with dates known as at 22 November 2018
- We cannot be responsible for any incorrect dates
- We cannot be responsible for any date changes
- Events can be Added, Removed or be Moved at any time
- 1st Shipment will be done 11th January 2019 and then every Saturday with new orders that came in the week.
- Courier option, 7-9 business days after shipment date.
- Courier option, We will WhatsApp you the information once your Calendar is ready to collect form your Nearest PEP store
- Collection option, We will WhatsApp you contact details on the collection point.
- For inquiries send a WhatsApp ONLY to 081 392 1823 or email admin[at]aviationcentral.co.za
- Be sure to check out our online calendar for updates during 2019
Banking information to use for the EFT payment
Bank FNB
EVENTS AVIATION NEWS (PTY) LTD
Account Number 62792754519
FNB Universal Branch Code 250655
Order form
Complete only once EFT payment has been made
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