South Africa: Warplanes of the Second World War preserved

Warplanes of the Second World War preserved in South Africa‍

The aim of this website is to locate, identify and document Warplanes from the Second World War preserved in South Africa.  Many contributors have assisted in the hunt for these aircraft to provide and update the data on this website.  Photos are by the author unless otherwise credited.  Any errors found here are by the author, and any additions, corrections or amendments to this list of Warplane Survivors of the Second World War in South Africa would be most welcome and may be e-mailed to the author at hskaarup@rogers.com.

Oorlogsvliegtuie van die Tweede Wêreldoorlog in Suid-Afrika bewaa

Die doel van hierdie webwerf is om oorlogsvliegtuie uit die Tweede Wêreldoorlog wat in Suid-Afrika bewaar is, op te spoor, te identifiseer en te dokumenteer. Baie bydraers het gehelp om hierdie vliegtuie te soek om die inligting op hierdie webwerf te voorsien en op te dateer. Foto's is deur die outeur, tensy anders gekrediteer. Enige foute wat hier aangetref word, is deur die skrywer, en enige aanvullings, korreksies of wysigings aan hierdie lys van Warplane Survivors van die Tweede Wêreldoorlog in Suid-Afrika is baie welkom en kan aan die skrywer per e-pos gestuur word aan hskaarup@rogers.com.

(RAF Photo)

Bristol Beaufighter in service with aircrew of 16 Squadron SAAF and No. 227 Squadron RAF at Biferno, Italy, prior to taking off to attack a German headquarters building in Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia, 14 August 1944.

(Alan Wilson Photos)

Avro Anson, composite airframe from RAF (Serial No. EG559), RAF (Serial No. MG802), SAAF (Serial No. 4437), and SAAF (Serial No. 4588).  South African Air Force Museum. Swartkop Airfield, Pretoria.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

de Havilland DH.87B Hornet Moth (Serial No. 2007), c/n 8121, Reg. No. ZS-ALA "African Queen".  South African Air Force Museum. Swartkop Airfield, Pretoria.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

de Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth, RAF (Serial No. T6523), c/n 84864, SAAF (Serial No. 2185), Reg. No. ZS-BCN.  Recently rebuilt, it is operated by the South African Air Force Historic Flight, Swartkop AFB, Pretoria, South Africa.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

de Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth, RAF (Serial No. DX491), c/n DHA.568, SAAF (Serial No. 2341), Reg. No. ZS-BGN.  South African Air Force Historic Flight, Swartkop AFB, Pretoria, South Africa.

de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide (Serial No. NR743) Reg. No. ZS-JGV, airworthy, flown out of East London in the Eastern Province, owned by Mark Sahd.  This aircraft was originally built as a Dominie for the RAF in 1944.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide (Serial No. NR674), c/n 6773, Reg. No. ZS-DLS, remains preserved in the South African Air Force Museum Swartkop Airfield, Pretoria, South Africa.

(Alan Wilson Photos)

Douglas C-47A Dakota, USAAC (Serial No. 42-92320), c/n 12107, RAF (Serial No. FZ572), SAAF (Serial No. 6821).  South African Airways in 1948, Reg. No. ZS-BXF.  Remained in civil hands until rejoining the SAAF in 1971, renumbered as (Serial No. 6888.  Demobilized bed again in 1991, it is now operated on charter work by the South African Airways Historic Flight.

(Nolween Photo)

Douglas C-47 Dakota (Serial No. TBC), South African Air Force, South African National Museum of Military History, Johannesburg.

(Alan Wilson Photos)

Douglas C-47TP Turbo Dakota, USAAC (Serial No. 42-92760), built in 1944, c/n 12596, RAF (Serial No. KG484), SAAF (Serial No. 6885).  Demobilized in 1955, Reg. No. ZS-DJX.  After rejoining the SAAF (Serial No. 6885) was converted into a Turbo Dakota and is now operated in the maritime patrol role by 35 Sqns based at Ysterplaat AFB, Cape Town.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Douglas C-47B Skytrain (Serial No. 44-77249), c/n 16833/33581, RAF (Serial No. KP279).  In civil use it then flew in Britain, Spain, Sweden, South Africa and Botswana before becoming the 11th Basler Turbo conversion in 1992.  Since then it has operated in Brasil and South Africa carrying out electromagnetic surveys, currently operated by Spectrem Air, a division of Anglo American Corporation, Reg. No. ZN-ASN, at Wonderboom, Pretoria, South Africa.

(IWM Photo CM 2084)

Douglas Boston Mk. III (Serial No. Z2183), E, No. 24 Squadron SAAF, on a flight  test shortly after the Squadron re-equipped with the type at Shandur, Egypt, ca 1943.

(IWM Photo CM 3043)

Douglas Boston Mk. IIIs (Serial Nos. Z2218, Z2225 and Z2237), flying in formation near the Great Bitter Lake, Egypt, on an air test or delivery flight from Kasfareet.  These aircraft served with No. 24 Squadron SAAF, so may be flying to join the unit in the Western Desert, ca 1942.

(IWM Photo TR 838)

Douglas Boston (Serial No. AL683), V, No 24 Squadron, South African Air Force lined up at Zuara, Tripolitania, 1 March 1943.

(IWM Photo TR 856)

Douglas Boston, S-Sugar' of No 24 Squadron, South African Air Force running up its engines on an airfield in the North African desert, ca 1942.

(IWM Photo CM 2079)

Douglas Boston Mk. III (Serial No. W8376), C, No. 24 Squadron, South African Air Force, walking away from their aircraft on an airfield in Libya after a sortie, ca 1942.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Douglas AD-4N Skyraider (BuNo. 127894), c/n 7909, French Air Force (Serial No. 68), Gabon, Reg. No. TR-KFQ.  Did not leave France, Reg. No. N92072, shipped South Africa.  Currently awaiting restoration at the South African Air Force Museum at Swartkop Airfield, Pretoria.

(Alan Wilson Photos)

Douglas DC-4-1009 (Serial No. 6902), c/n 43155.  South African Airways Reg. No. ZS-BMF.  Joined the SAAF in January 1966, flown by 44 Sqn until retired in January 1993.  Now on display at the South African Air Force Museum, Swartkop AFB, Pretoria, South Africa.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Douglas DC4-1009 (Serial No. 6905), c/n 42984, Reg. No. ZS-AUB.  This aircraft was South African Airways' first DC-4 and was delivered in May 1946.  She later flew with the South African Air Force as '6905' but is now operated by the South African Airways Historic Flight, based at Rand Airport, South Africa.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Douglas DC4-1009 (Serial No.), c/n 43157, last DC-4 built in August 1947, South African Airways Reg. No. ZS-BMH  In 1947, Douglas production had moved to the DC-6 and when SAA placed a further order for DC-4s, Douglas were no longer producing DC-4 noses, so this aircraft was built with, and still retains, a DC-6 nose.  After SAA service it then flew for the South African Air Force as (Serial No. 6905?).  On retirement it went to the South African Airways Historic Flight.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Fairchild UC-61K Argus Mk. III, USAAF UC-61K (Serial No. 44-83133), c/n 1094, RAF (Serial No. KK476).  South African Air Force Museum Swartkop Airfield, Pretoria.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

(Nolween Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-6/R6, (Wk. Nr. 550214), PN+LU, possibly flown by III./NJG 11 as it was fitted with a FuG 217 Neptun radar system.  This aircraft was built by the Ago factory in mid-1943, and was captured complete at Leck-Holstein at the end of the war.  It was allocated RAF Air Ministry Number AM10 and was delivered from Schleswig to Farnborough on 16 June 1945.  Initially displayed in the UK, this aircraft was shipped from Birkenhead, England to Capetown, South Africa on the SS Perthshire on 20 Oct 1946, arriving on 6 Nov.  It is now on display at the South African National Museum of Military History, Saxonwold, Johannesburg

(RAF Photo)

Fieseler Fi 156C-7 Storch, (Wk. Nr. 475149), VD+TD, STOL reconnaissance aircraft captured at Flensburg.  Designated RAF AM99, this aircraft was shipped from Birkenhead, England to Capetown, South Africa on the SS Perthshire on 20 Oct 1946, arriving on 6 Nov.  It is now on display at the South African National Museum of Military History, Saxonwold, Johannesburg, South Africa.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Fieseler Fi 156C Storch (Wk. Nr. 475099), VD+TD, built by Mraz in Czechoslovakia and assigned to an unknown unit.  This aircraft is believed to have been surrendered in Flensburg at the end of the war.  Recorded as being in service with the RAE at Farnborough in September 1945 as Air Min 99, 475099 was shipped from Birkenhead, England to Capetown, South Africa on the SS Perthshire on 20 Oct 1946, arriving on 6 Nov.  South African Air Force Museum. Swartkop Airfield, Pretoria.

(RAF Photo)

Hawker Hartebeest, Reg. No. G-ABMR dressed as the first production Hart (Serial No. J9953), as she was between 1959 and 1970.  Many served with the SAAF.  A derivative of the Audax, the Hawker Hartebeest, a light bomber, was built for the South African Air Force with modifications made from the Audax. Sixty-five of these aircraft were built, the majority in South Africa. The aircraft saw action in East Africa during clashes against Italy who occupied Abyssinia.  None have been preserved in South Africa.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Hawker Hurricane Mk. IIc (Serial No. 5285).  Originally built at Hawkers Langley factory in 1943, (Serial No. LD619), this Hurricane initially went to North Africa, hence the tropical filter.  It didn't see RAF service, however, and was instead transferred to the South African Air Force as (Serial No. 5285) in April 1944.  In May 1950 it joined the South African National Museum of Military History where it remains on display at Saxonwold, Johannesburg.

(Bundesarchiv, Bild 141-2402)

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Junkers Ju 86Z-I (Wk. Nr. 647), Reg. No. ZS-AGJ.  One of 31 Ju 86 transports operated by South African Airways at the outbreak of the Second World War. Joined the SAAF as No. 647.  Crashed 8 July 1942 while on a flight from Swartkop AB to Brooklyn AB, Cape Town.  It flew into a mountain in bad weather with the loss of all three crew.  The remains of the airframe were recovered in 1978 and are now on display at the South African Air Force Museum. Swartkop Airfield, Pretoria.

At the outbreak of war, South Africa had no naval vessels and the UDF's first priority was to ensure the safety of the South African coastal waters as well as the strategically important Cape sea-route.  For maritime patrol operations, the SAAF took over all 29 passenger aircraft of South African Airways: 18 Junkers Ju 86Z-ls for maritime patrols and eleven Junkers Ju 52s for transport purposes.  SAAF maritime patrols commenced on 21 September 1939 with 16 Squadron flying three JU-86Z's from Walvis Bay.  By 1940, the Ju 86s were replaced by Ansons and Coastal Command SAAF had been established, eventually consisting of 6, 10, 22, 23, 25, 27 and 29 Squadrons.  By the end of the Second World War in August 1945, SAAF aircraft (in conjunction with British and Dutch aircraft stationed in South Africa) had intercepted 17 enemy ships, assisted in the rescue of 437 survivors of sunken ships, attacked 26 of the 36 enemy submarines that operated around the South African coast, and flown 15,000 coastal patrol sorties.  (Wikipedia)

(Alan Wilson Photos)

(Aeroprints.com Photo)

Lockheed 18-08 Lodestar, SAAF (Serial No.), c/n 18-2058, Reg. No. ZS-ATL.  Despite the camouflage, this Lodestar has no military history.  Built in 1941 it originally flew for South African Airways, later flying with Comair between 1954 and 1958.  South African Air Force Museum, Swartkop Airfield, Pretoria.

(IWM Photo CM6226)

Lockheed Ventura GR Mk. Vs, No. 22 Squadron, SAAF illuminated by searchlights at Gibraltar, ca 1942.

(Alan Wilson Photos)

Lockheed Ventura GR.V, USN (BuNo. 49403), c/n 237-6219, RAF (Serial No. JT861), SAAF (Serial No. 6487), polished metal scheme.  South African Air Force Museum, Swartkop Airfield, Pretoria.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

(NJR ZA Photo)

Lockheed Ventura GR.V, USN (BuNo. 49474), c/n 237-6290, RAF (Serial No. JT867), SAAF (Serial No. 6498), 29 Sqn.  It was later converted into a transport and flew with 17 Sqn before ending up at the South African Airways apprentice training school.  It was eventually passed back for preservation and is now restored in a maritime colour scheme and on display at the South African Air Force Museum, Swartkop Airfield, Pretoria.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Lockheed Ventura GR.V, USN (BuNo. 34967), c/n 237-5857, RAF (Serial No. FP684), SAAF (Serial No. 6453), now in storage for the South African Air Force Museum at Swartkop Airfield, Pertoria, South Africa.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Lockheed Ventura Mk. II, RAF (Serial No. AJ508), c/n 137-4646, SAAF (Serial No. 6120).  This aircraft sat derelict on a farm between 1951 and 1978 but is now in storage with the South African Air Force Museum at Swartkop Airfield, Pretoria.

(Alan Wilson Photos)

Lockheed Ventura Mk. II, RAF (Serial No. AJ504), c/n 137-4642, SAAF (Serial No. 6112).  The SAAF received 135 Ventura Mk. IIs from RAF stocks. This unrestored example is stored with the South African Air Force Museum, Swartkop Airfield, Pretoria.

Lockheed Ventura Mk. II (Serial No. TBC), AFB Ysterplaat.

(NJR ZA Photo)

Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3, (Wk. Nr. 1289), coded SH + FA, 2/JG 26 (Schlageter) "Red 2", was delivered to JG 26 in 1939, coded as SH + EA, "Black 2".  The aircraft crash-landed at Udimor, England.  The unrestored remains are preserved in the South African Museum of Military History, Johannesburg.

(SAAF Photo)

Messerschmitt Bf 109F, (Wk. Nr. unknown) captured in North Africa.  This aircraft was given South African Air Force markings and serial "KJ-?", on the airfield at Martuba No. 4 Landing Ground in North Africa, January 1943.  It was operated by No. 4 Squadron, SAAF.

(NR ZA Photo)

Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2/Trop, (Wk. Nr. 31010), coded "White 6", I./JG 27, South African National Museum of Military History, Johannesburg.

(RAF Photo, 1945)

(Paulmaz Photo)

(NJR ZA Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Messerschmitt Me 262B-1a/U1 (Wk. Nr. 110305), "Red 8", 10./NJG11, 305, two-seat trainer converted into a provisional night fighter version equipped with FuG 218 Neptun radar and Hirschgeweih (stag antler) eight-dipole antenna array.  This aircraft was collected at Schleswig-Jagel, Germany in May 1945.  "Red 8" flew operationally with Kurt Welters 10./NJG11 at Magdeburg. While at this location it was painted with all-black undersurfaces and mostly black engine nacelles.  "'Red 8" was ferried to the UK on 19 May 1945 by Wg Cdr RJ 'Roly' Falk, via Twente, Gilze-Rijen and Melsbroek.   It was then flown by Wg Cdr Gonsalvez from the RAE to RNAS Ford, and used for radar and tactical trials from 6 July 1945.  Designated AM50, it was later given RAF Serial No. VH519.  It was damaged on its first landing at RNAS Ford, but quickly repaired.   "Red 8" is the only genuine night fighter version of the Me262 which has survived to the present day.  It is currently displayed in the Ditsong National Museum of Military History, Saxonwold, Johannesburg, South Africa.  (RAF Photos)

(Alan Wilson Photo)

North American Harvard Mk. III, USAAC (Serial No. 41-34052) c/n 88-15683, RAF (Serial No. EZ179), SAAF (Serial No. 7001), Reg. No. ZU-CXV.  South African Air Force Historic Flight, Swartkop AFB, Pretoria, South Africa.

(NJR ZA Photo)

North American Harvard (T6 Texan) (Serial No. 7028).  South African Air Force Museum. Swartkop Airfield, Pretoria.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

North American Harvard Mk. IIa, USAAC (Serial No. 41-33309) c/n 88-9868, RAF (Serial No. EX336), SAAF (Serial No. 7072). South African Air Force Historic Flight, Swartkop AFB, Pretoria, South Africa.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

North American Harvard Mk. IIa, USAAC (Serial No. 41-33241), c/n 88-9684, RAF (Serial No. EX268), SAAF (Serial No. 7111).  South African Air Force Historic Flight, Swartkop AFB, Pretoria, South Africa.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

North American Harvard Mk. IIa, USAAC (Serial No. 41-33543) c/n 88-10663, RAF (Serial No. EX570), SAAF (Serial No. 723).  South African Air Force Historic Flight, Swartkop AFB, Pretoria, South Africa.

North American Harvard (T6 Texan) (Serial No. 7306).  South African Air Force Museum. Swartkop Airfield, Pretoria.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

North American Harvard Mk. III, USAAC (Serial No. 41-33891), c/n 88-14725, RAF (Serial No. EX918), SAAF (Serial No. 7480), Reg. No. ZU-DML.  South African Air Force Historic Flight, Swartkop AFB, Pretoria, South Africa.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

North American Harvard Mk. III, SAAF, USAAF (Serial No. 41-34019), c/n 88-15336, RAF (Serial No. EZ146), SAAF (Serial No. 7573).  SAAF Museum painted in in false American markings.  South African Air Force Museum. Swartkop Airfield, Pretoria.

(NJR ZA Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photo)

North American AT-6A Texan, USAAC (Serial No. 41-16762), c/n 78-7140, SAAF (Serial No. 7643), Reg. No. ZU-AOX.  South African Air Force Historic Flight, Swartkop AFB, Pretoria, South Africa.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

North American AT-6A Texan, ex USAAC (Serial No. 41-0508),  c/n 77-4467, SAAF (Serial No. 7675), "Siyandiza", Reg. No. ZU-CXX. South African Air Force Historic Flight in a national flag colour scheme, Swartkop AFB, Pretoria, South Africa.

North American Harvard (Serial No. TBC), AFB Ysterplaat.

(Gerhard Roux Photo)

North American Harvard (Serial No. TBC), being restored, Port Elizabeth.

(USAF Photo)

North American F-51D Mustang fighters of No. 2 Squadron of the South African Air Force in Korea, on 1 May 1951.

(DanieB52 Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photos)

North American P-51D-20NA Mustang, USAAF (Serial No. 44-72202), c/n 122-38661.  This aircraft flew with the Swedish Air Force (Serial No. Fv26112) between 1948 and 1952, then joined the Dominican Air Force (Serial No. FAD-1917).  It was acquired from the USA in 1987, and slowly restored until it flew again in 1998, painted as ‘325’, "Patsy Dawn".  As part of the SAAF Museum and therefore under SAAF control, no civil registration was required and ‘325’ actually became it’s identity.  This is the third P-51D to carry the serial ‘325’ in SAAF service.  Sadly in 2001 it suffered a wheels-up landing and although the minor structural damage was quickly repaired, the cost of returning the engine and prop to flying status was prohibitive and the aircraft was placed on static display in the South African Air Force Museum at Swartkop Airfield, Pretoria.

(IWM TR 1020)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VB (Serial No. ER622), WR-D, No. 40 Squadron, South African Air Force, which served in a ground support role in North Africa. This pair is shown on patrol over the Tunisian coast in the spring of 1943.

(IWM Photo TR 1030)

(IWM Photo TR 1033)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VB (Serial No. ER622), No. 40 Squadron, South African Air Force, at Gabes, Tunisia, April 1943.

(IWM Photo CNA 2102)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VCs of No. 2 Squadron SAAF based at Palata, Italy, flying in loose line astern formation over the Adriatic Sea while on a bombing mission to the Sangro River battlefront, ca 1943.

(IWM CNA 2107)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VC (Serial No. JK--), DB-R, of No. 2 Squadron SAAF based at Palata, Italy, carrying a 250-lb GP bomb beneath the fuselage, in flight along the Adriatic Coast while on a bombing mission to the Sangro River battlefront.  Note the badge of No. 7 Wing SAAF, a leaping hartebeest on a red shield, painted on the rudder of the aircraft, ca 1943.

(IWM CM 5723)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VIII (Serial No. JF294), being flown from Cairo to Cape Town by Flying Officer G E "Tiger" Camplin of RAF Transport Command Mediterranean Group, for presentation to the South African Government.  From March to September 1944, Fg Off Camplin gave a number of flying demonstrations in the Union and the aircraft was exhibited during the 'Liberty Cavalcades' in a number of towns.  JF294 was transferred to the SAAF in October 1944 and was passed to the South African National Museum of Military History at Saxonwold in 1948, where it is presently displayed as (Serial No. 5501).

(NJR ZA Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VIII (Serial No. JF294), painted as (Serial No. 5501), South African National Museum of Military History, Johannesburg.

(Bob Adams Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IXe (Serial No. TE213), SAAF (Serial No. 5553), AX-K, crashed 15 Apr 2000, currently in storage awaiting restoration.

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