Friends of the South African Air Force Museum
FSAAFM Projects (Port Elizabeth)
The Port Elizabeth branch of the FSAAFM is currently involved with several projects including the restoration of a Buccaneer flight simulator, a Bofors cannon and a World War 2 Airspeed Oxford aircraft. Other work includes general maintanence on Puma number 123, and repainting a Cessna 150.
Future restorations include restoring an Impala Mk1 and a Rolls Royce Eagle 8, 12 cylinder engine.
Airspeed Oxford Restoration Project:
Both 7 cylinder radial Cheetah engines are in a running condition, however they do not run on the aircraft itself. The Port Elizabeth branch of the SAAF Museum has the only Oxford that has running engines. Work includes replacing bomb bay doors, further work inside the cockpit and respraying of the entire aircraft.
General maintenance on Puma tail number 123:
Recent progress on the aircraft restoration front at the Port Elizabeth branch of the SAAF Museum includes the replacing of undercarriage wheels on Puma number 123 by the Friends of the South African Air Force Museum.
Repainting of Museum Cessna 150:
Another ongoing project at the Port Elizabeth branch of the SAAF Museum is the repainitng of a Cessna 150 by members of the Friends of the South African Air Force Museum
Future Project: Restore Impala Mk 1 No. 507 for static display:
Some of the restoration needed on the aircraft includes - replacing the canopy, repairing the fuselage, deploying the undercarriage and respraying the entire aircraft.
Future Project: Restoration of a Rolls Royce Eagle 8, 12 cylinder engine - 1917
Work includes rebuilding the engine, dry ice blasting the engine and components, respraying the engine to its original colour which was known as olive drab, polishing copper and brass parts and fit propeller for static display.
