The legacy of Captain Flippie Vermeulen, CEO of Springbok Classic Air, at the Rand Airport, will continue in Europe, as the Douglas DC-3 leaves South African shores.
The classic aircraft is set to join German businessman Peter Adrian’s private collection, in Trier.
Adrian is a keen aviation enthusiast, specialising in vintage aircraft preservation, and is an owner of, amongst others, a T28 and Beech 18.
After a lengthy search for a DC-3, Adrian expressed his delight in finding, as he put it, a beautiful example of a well-kept classic.
The DC-3 has been a regular at South African airshows since being restored in 2010.
The plane’s delivery flight sees the DC-3 departing from Rand Airport, clearing customs at Lanseria, heading to Mfuwe, before flying over the South Luangwa National Park, in the East of Zambia, and over the Tanganyika and Victoria Lakes to Entebbe.
After a brief stop-over, the flight will continue along the Nile to Khartoum, in the Sudan, and then onto Luxor, in Egypt, for the next stop.
From Luxor, the classic aircraft will fly to Heraklion, on the island of Crete, before departing for Pula, in Kroatia, where the aircraft will be prepared for the last leg to Luxemborg.
“This was a sudden decision, but this offer to let her fly in Europe was just too good to resist,” said Vermeulen.
“I know she will give her new owners, and all those who fly on her as passengers, just as much pleasure and fun, as all of us who flew her as crew or as passengers have had.”
Once the DC-3 arrives in Luxemborg, pilots will be given a period to familiarise themselves with the plane.
The DC-3 will then enter its new work schedule, which will mirror the duties it is preforming at Rand Airport.
The last flights on this aircraft, which are open to the public, will be 20 minute scenic
flights, on April 25, with its last appearance in a airshow scheduled for May 9, at the Swartkops Airshow.
“This will be the last time that she will be doing a display flight for aviation fans in South Africa,” said Vermeulen.
The Douglas C47A (DC-3) arrived on September 24, 1943.
It rolled off the production line in Oklahoma City and was delivered to the United States Army Airforce.
It was then delivered to the Royal Airforce under the “Lend-Lease programme”.
It served in various SAAF Squadrons until being decommissioned and sold to Wally Gale, of Aero Rebuilders, at Rand Airport, in 1995.
Vermeulen bought the aircraft in 2002 and placed it into storage for the next seven years.
In 2009, he began the extensive refurbishment of the aircraft and turned it into the beautiful aircraft many have had the pleasure of flying in today.
Bookings for the DC-3’s last public flights are open.
For more information email info@springbokclassicair.co.za.
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