This was our second visit to the South African Air Force Museum, this time to its Gqeberha branch on the southern side of Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (formerly Port Elizabeth Airport). A dedicated team of volunteers and the Friends of the SAAF Museum, under the curatorship of Warrant Officer Class 2 Morne Bellingan, runs the museum. It was established in 1990 on the historic site of the former 42 Air School Gunnery Training Centre, which formed part of the Joint Air Training Scheme during World War II. The museum was officially opened in April 1992.
The collection is housed in original 1940s buildings and a restored World War II Bellman hangar. In addition to the aircraft displays, the complex includes a clubhouse, an art gallery, an aviation reference library and a gift shop.
The museum features a fascinating collection of historic military aircraft, helicopters and aviation equipment. Highlights include the North American Harvard, Mirage F1CZ, Bosbok, Puma, Impala Mk II, Vampire and Alouette III, as well as a custom-built Spitfire replica. Some of the aircraft, including the Harvards, are maintained in airworthy condition.
Beyond the aircraft, we explored military medals, uniforms, historical photographs, and aviation artwork. The museum also has a flight simulator, and the hangars let you see restoration work in progress and get a closer look at the effort required to preserve these historic machines.
