South African Airways Museum Society

General information

Based at the “Old Transvaal Aviation Club” at Rand Airport in Germiston, the Museum has historic items like photographs, aircraft instruments, timetables, documentation and artefacts on display. It also boasts two Boeing 747 aircraft – A B747-200, ZS-SAN, and a B747-SP ZS-SPC.

Other Static display are craft are: de Havilland DH.104 Dove, Lockheed 18-08 Lodestar, Douglas DC-6 (C-118), Douglas DC-4 Skymaster (C-54D), and the forward fuselage section of Boeing 707 ZS-SAI.

The Museum, a volunteer, non-profit organisation, was founded in 1986 with the aim of preserving the history of civil aviation in South Africa.

This was sparked off by the purchase by SAA of the famous Junkers Ju 52/3m aircraft. Members of the SAA Museum Society assisted in the restoration of “Tante Ju” to flying condition and are proactive in preserving aviation history.

One of the Museum’s aims is to create an awareness of the greatness of South African aviation. The static display aircraft are used to their fullest extent for aviation awareness programmes and fund raising for the Museum and are available for corporate related functions, conferences, product launches, award ceremonies and weddings.

The Museum also owns a fleet of operational classic propeller driven aircraft, two Douglas DC-4 Skymasters, ZS-AUB and ZS-BMH, a Douglas DC-3 Dakota, ZS-BXF, and the beloved Junkers Ju 52/3m ZS-AFA. These aircraft are used for safari charters to Southern Africa’s exotic tourist destinations as well as for weekend “scenic flights” around Johannesburg and environs. The classic fleet are operated by Skyclass Aviation www.flyskyclass.com

The training of aircraft technicians and cabin crew takes place at the Museum’s facilities. Maintenance procedures undertaken as training exercises assist the Museum with its preservation tasks, as well as being beneficial to students and apprentices who get an opportunity to work on “the real thing”.

Researchers may make use of the Museum’s library, which contains over a thousand aviation related books. Members of the public are welcome to visit the Museum. There is an entrance fee. Guided tours are available for school and larger groups. Booking is essential. There is a restaurant at the complex that serves scrumptious food and refreshments.

Open times:

Monday to Friday by apptointment.

Saturday, Sunday and certain public holidays 9.30am-2.30pm.

Closed on: Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, 25 and 26 December and 1 January.

Entrance: R30 (adults), R20 (children)