The South African Airforce, the second oldest air force in the world, has a long and proud history, a history that has included a major role in securing victory for the Allied Forces during both World Wars and has resulted in a safe and secure South Africa. The SAAF has three museums in the country, in Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and the maim museum in Pretoria.
The earliest roots of the SAAF can be traced back to the early 1900's when two men, McCompton Patterson and Driver had two successful flights in a Bleriot Monoplane and Patterson Biplane, flights which greatly aroused public interest in the possibilities of powered flight.
Having recommended to the British that they establish an Air force as a separate arm, it was only natural that General Smuts would want to do the same for South Africa. This decision was taken in 1919 and Lt. Col. Pierre van Ryneveld was commissioned to evolve the organisation and procure the necessary equipment. Earlier that same year van Ryneveld and Major Quinton Brand carried out their epic flight from England to the Cape, pioneering the air route down Africa.
An Aircraft exhibit can be seen at the Museums, a section devoted to the flying and static aircraft. The Vehicles, Weapons and other Artifacts are also on display, this section covers some of the items that have been collected or donated to the museum.
Visiting Hours:
Pretoria - Mondays to Saturdays: 10h00 to 15h00
Cape Town - Mondays to Fridays: 08h00 to 15h30, Saturdays 08h00 - 12h30
Port Elizabeth - Mondays to Fridays: 08h00 to 15h30 and is closed on Saturdays
