Fortunately he did not destroy the helicopter for scrap metal but it stood outside exposed to the elements. Despite being mounted on the display platform it was complete and in a good condition. Interestingly the rescue hoist was still fitted to the left hand side of the fuselage as well as the two bladed tail rotor. For many years, driving past the S-51 many failed to recognise the historic significance of this particular helicopter. The remains of another S-51 could still be found at Mkuze, Natal of what is believed to have been A2 in June 1972. What happened since to the items - is unclear.

In October 1973 the Minister of Defence approved the establishment of the SAAF Museum at Swartkops which was the birthplace of the SAAF in 1921. Under Col P. McGregor, Officer Commanding the SAAF Museum, a committee was established to document all ex SAAF items scattered throughout Southern Africa and to look at means to re-acquire these items for display in the Museum. High on this list was the SAAF’s very first helicopter which in terms of historic value was a crown jewel. Col McGregor was instrumental in the negotiations to get the S-51 back. Extensive negotiations were completed during 1977 and by the end of that year it was awaiting collection by the Museum. It was decided, Mr Harry Barnett would generously donate the Sikorsky S-51 to the SAAF Museum in exchange for a refurbished Spitfire of which no 5631 would form the basis. It left his scrap yard as a wreck with no wings during 1968 but was subsequently reconstructed by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation under the direction of Mr Stan Dawe, with Mr Matt Bell as the chief restorer. The camouflage pattern and colour scheme was researched by Dave Becker as an example used by 2 Squadron during WW II with the markings of Mr Barnett’s personal aircraft – “Estwolf PV260 – DB P” while he was based at 2 Sqdn during the war.