SAA201 From South Africa, joined May 2001, 489 posts, RR: 3 Posted (7 years 2 months 3 weeks 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 353 times:
Greetings all,
As you may know the South Africa Airways Museum Society asked SAA, in March this year, to donate to the society, a soon to be retired from service,
Boeing 747. SAA have agreed to donate a Boeing 747-200, ZS-SAO has been
earmarked, and the society is at present in the negotiation stages with the
management of several possible locations for the aircraft to be
accommodated. Several options are open to the society.
Swartkop is one possible location, especially with the attempts being made
to create a site for general aviation heritage. However an area of concern
is the fact the runway facilities may be closed down at Swartkop. This would
result in "no more air shows". A crucial requirement for any preservation
organisation is money. The South African Airways Museum Society is of the
opinion that without air shows at Swartkop, public attendance at the
"Swartkop Aviation Museum" would be minimal and therefore income to parties
based there would be insufficient to maintain an existence, especially an
organisation with an exhibit like a B747.
Another possible location is Rand Airport. The management are very keen to
have us there. However the runway is at present too narrow to accommodate a B747 and would require widening. The SAA Museum Society is at present
discussing with Rand Airport management the possibility of widening the
runway. A sponsor would be needed for this. (Any takers out there?). As for
a suitable location at Rand Airport for a B747, the management of Rand
Airport have indicated the possibility of using an area near to the TAC
(Transvaal Aviation Club) building.
Johannesburg International Airport is another possible location. The society
will in due course ask the Airports Company if they would consider making
space available to accommodate the B747 as well as the society's two other
static aircraft, the Vickers Viking Mk1A and the Lockheed L1649A Starliner.
To maintain and preserve an aircraft the size of a 747 will be an enormous
undertaking, one which will require a regular supply of money. The aircraft
needs to be in an environment where the public frequent in large numbers,
typically air shows. Air shows with flying aircraft attract the public and
their money.
A Boeing 747 Classic would undoubtedly be a major public attraction in the
right location. An operation with restaurant facilities, curio shop,
spectator viewing deck, conference and small function facilities etc would
certainly benefit the society financially. It will also serve as a big boost
to aviation preservation in South Africa.
At this stage then nothing is cast in stone and a lot of negotiating is
still in store for the SAA Museum Society. We will do our utmost to keep you
up do date with developments.
Any comments, ideas or advice, positive or negative, will be most welcome.
SAA201 From South Africa, joined May 2001, 489 posts, RR: 3 Reply 2, posted (7 years 2 months 3 weeks 2 days ago) and read 243 times:
I think the idea is to try keep the aircraft at an inland station to try slow down the effects of corrosion etc. Cape Town is located at the coast and is prone to severe storms and wind, especially during the winter months
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From South Africa, joined May 2001, 489 posts, 
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
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