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Written by Anton Dyason - IPMS SA Media Group
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Sunday, 09 April 2000 |
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Page 4 of 6 Serial Numbers:| Name: | No: | Code:
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| | | | Pelican 16 | 1716 | J | | Took part in the retirement ceremony at D.F. Malan airport on 23 November 1984 and flown to SAAF Museum Swartkops. It was refurbished to flying condition for the SAAF Museum. The aircraft were to display as part of the SAAF Museum's Historic Flight in the UK - '94 season. Following an engine change in Abidjan, the aircraft departed on the night of 12-13 July '94 for the final leg. But en-route lost two engines in succession on the same side. Therefore forced to make an emergency wheels up, landing in the Western Desert, near the border with Mauritania, at 0135 GMT. No lives were lost, but the aircraft were abandoned as it was damaged beyond repair and too remote for a recovery operation. The latest reports indicate Pelican 16 has NOT been blown up and is in fact intact as fas as the fuselage is concerned. Re-sparred. | | Pelican 17 | 1717 | O | | Carried out the first long range flight to Marion Island on 22 March 1957. Currently on display at Midmar Dam, Kwazulu Natal. Since moved to transport museum Stanger - unconfirmed?? Re-sparred.
| | Pelican 18 | 1718 | K | | Crashed near Rawsonville on 18 August 1963. All crew lost their lives. Total flying hours 777.
| | Pelican 19 | 1719 | L | | Withdrawn form service on 24 April 1978. Displayed at Stellenbosch airfield, later moved by the SAAF under considerable expenses to the Waterfront in Cape Town. Seen that these aircraft were part of Cape Town throughout their careers, it would've been the ideal static display area. The Waterfont is visited by thousands of foreigners each year. However, the aircraft was found to be in the way of future expansion and the SAAF was asked to move the aircraft again. The SAAF museum, already on a shoe string budget had to bear all the costs for the second time. In the end the different parties could not reach an agreement. Out of frustration, the SAAF removed the aircraft and sold it as scrap - it has now been cut up. A sad day for enthusiasts of these aircraft!
| | Pelican 20 | 1720 | M | | On display outside NCO mess, Ysterplaat AFB, Cape Town. At first this aircraft was incorrectly painted as 1719, but this has been rectified. See the gallery. Withdrawn from service on 10 March 1983.
| | Pelican 21 | 1721 | N | | On display SAAF Museum, Swartkops, Pretoria. Took part in the retirement ceremony at D.F. Malan airport on 23 November 1984. See the gallery. Currently part of a restoration process - click here for more info.
| | Pelican 22 | 1722 | P | | Took part in the retirement ceremony at D.F. Malan airport on 23 November 1984. Following seven years in storage, No. 1722 P was flown from D.F. Malan to AFB Ysterplaat for the SAAF Museum. At the controls was Lt Gen James Kriel, then Chief of the Air Force and once OC of 35 Sqdn. The aircraft was refurbished to flying condition by a small group of enthusiasts, lead by W/O "Pottie" Potgieter . It is currently the only airworthy Mk. 3 in the world! But with less than 50 hours flying time left - time is catching up very fast with no. 1722. Thanks to a handful of dedicated enthusiasts who ensure the pristine condition of this grant old lady of the sky - visitors to airshows are treated to at least two flying displays per year. It is based in Cape Town. | | Pelican 23 | 1723 | Q | | On display above service station in Johannesburg. Retired from service on 22 November 1977. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 28 January 2008 )
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