WATCH: Help save the SAA Museum
Among some iconic aircraft at the museum is the Lebombo Boeing 747 which flew over the 1995 Ellis Park World Cup
At the forefront of preserving South Africa’s Civil Aviation history since 1986, and situated a few metres from Germiston Rand Airport landing strip, the SAA Museum Society was glad to open their aircraft’s doors again after lockdown affected their attraction sight.
On September 19, retired crew members, including flight attendants, technicians and pilots, gathered at the museum to clean planes, the facility and reminisced about the good old days when they used to work together.
Ralph Raman, an ex-flight attendant and member of the non-profit society, said they wanted to make sure the museum was ready for visitors.
The old friends also shared stories of how it was flying in and out of continents together even before the 1990s.
Amy Schoeman shared her story of working in the pre-apartheid era as one of the first Asian SAA crew members before she retired in 1993.
She detailed a horrific story.
Amy said she was scheduled for the SAA flight 295 Helderberg which crashed on November 28, 1987.
“Peter Cramb was called out on standby as I asked to be taken off the flight because I had some issues at home.
“The roster clerk said to me, ‘If I find somebody then you can stay, but if I don’t find somebody then you, unfortunately, have to be on the flight’.
“I said I understand as it was last minute,” said Amy.
The clerk asked Peter Cramb to swap with Amy and he agreed.
The flight crashed in the Indian Ocean near Mauritius while on its way from Taipei to Johannesburg. Everyone on board died.
She said she felt like she sent him to an early death while she pointed out a picture of Peter in the display hall.
“I also believe if it is your time to go nothing can stop you. I think it wasn’t my time to go then,” said Amy.
She showed the remains of the flight which were recovered from the bottom of the ocean and are displayed at the museum.
Among some iconic aircraft at the museum is the Lebombo Boeing 747 which flew over the 1995 Ellis Park World Cup and the SAA Douglas DC-4 Skymaster ZS-AUB (Outeniqua) which featured in Con Air, according to Ralph.
He added the Boeing 747 was created for longer trips to destinations such as Miami, Atlanta and Washington DC.
Numerous SAA employees supported the museum in expanding the collection.
Matthew Harvey, vice-chairperson of the society, spoke about his involvement with the SAA Museum Society.
“I started in 1971 and left after 46 years of service.
“I have been instrumental in bringing in the Viking, which was at SAA. After that I helped bring in the Constellation.”
He added that his technical background is used at the museum to fix and service the aircraft.
Ralph said shared his story too.
The retired flight attendant said he dreamed of becoming a pilot.
Ralph is a businessman now and said he is grateful for how well SAA treated its employees then and after they retired.
“I started as a volunteer in 1994.
“When the airline started recruiting more people of colour, it made a big difference.
“SAA gave us a great opportunity.
“My highlights were meeting high profile people like dignitaries or celebrities such as Whitney Houston and travelling the world,” said Ralph.
Since humble beginnings, the airline has had four homes.
“Stamford Hill in Durban, Rand Airport in Germiston, Palmietfontein Airport and Jan Smuts Airport, later renamed Johannesburg International and now called OR Tambo International Airport.”
Ralph added SAA is one of the biggest airlines in the world, formed on February 1, 1934.
“It’s history must be kept as it is close to a 90-year history. We are trying to keep the memory alive.”
He said they would like to invite corporate sponsorship to help keep the history of aviation alive.
“The SAA Museum Society is an NPO run by former SAA workers and aircraft enthusiasts.
“The minister of Sports Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, released a statement on August 26 announcing the museum was now open to the public.”
The museum urged visitors to comply with lockdown regulations by applying social distancing between people and wearing masks. All visitors must wear a prescribed mask and sanitise or regularly wash their hands thoroughly and no items must be touched.
The museum is also open to hosting functions and events according to lockdown regulations.
“Functions or events can be held in the hangar, braai or lapa area.
“For aircrafts enthusiasts, membership and activities for society members are available.
“A membership application form can be downloaded off the SAA Museum Society website,” said Ralph.
“Volunteers run the SAA Museum Society.
“We appeal to the community and aviation enthusiasts to join our society and afford themselves the opportunity of savouring the pleasures of preserving South Africa’s aviation heritage.
“Depending upon your interests you can participate in a wide range of activities.”
Interested volunteers can join the restoration team and work on their various static display aircraft.
Most of the time the work involves cleaning many years of dirt, oil and grime from the aircraft.
“Working on the operational aircraft is possible and is conducted under strict supervision by qualified personnel and is limited to mostly cleaning the exterior and interior of the aircraft.
“For people who like to keep their hands clean, paperwork is done.
“Over the years, we have collected a vast amount of paperwork, stunning black and white photographs, boarding passes, newspaper clippings, air show programmes and more.
“All of which need to be sorted, catalogued and stored in the correct place.”
Ralph added their goal is to restore the planes and hopefully fly them for tourism purposes.
For more information on the museum visit www.saamuseum.co.za
Have a story?
Contact the newsroom by emailing:Editor at germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist) busiv@caxton.co.za. Also follow us on:
