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Written by I.M.G. IPMS SA Media Group
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Wednesday, 15 October 2008 |
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Page 51 of 60 Static Displays AFB Ysterplaat had taken a lot of effort and planning in ensuring that various aspects of the static displays would be improved for the public. A new concrete hardstand had been built nearer the public areas and this section was used to great effect for the static display of the larger SAAF Museum aircraft located at AFB Ysterplaat. Aircraft on display were the newly completed Westland Whirlwind resplendent in full original Royal Navy colours.  The magnificent Shackleton from the SAAF Museum
| There were two Dakotas on display, one being the VIP C-47TP Dak and the second being a standard C-47 Dakota with an interesting history. This is the aircraft is known as the “Coelacanth” Dakota which is being restored to her 1950’s era colours. Cape Town has a long association with coastal patrol and two of the SAAF’s long time coastal patrol aircraft in the form of the magnificent Shackleton and a Piaggio P166 Albatross were on this display stand. The friends of the SAAF Museum staff manned this area throughout the show period to assist visitors with more information. It is unfortunate that the main museum building is located a distance away from this area complicating the display. Possibly in future all the museum aircraft will be in a single location to enable the visitors to comfortably view this rich collection of post WWII SAAF aircraft. |  Westland Whirlwind in full original Royal Navy colours |
Portable hangars Working on aircraft in the open in Africa has always been a hardship. At AAD2008 16 Squadron had a new portable hangar system on display. | This self contained tent hangar has space to allow the servicing of any SAAF helicopter with three containerised office units complete with spares store and diesel generator setup to power the overhead lights. The floor is a modern version of that old standby, PSP and consists of interlocking plastic panels in two strengths, the thickest capable of supporting up to 30 tonnes of weight. All of this packs inside a number of standard containers for ease of transportation and shipping. |  Portable hangar |
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 15 August 2010 )
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