A fish, an aircraft, a dedicated professor, a Prime Minister, a few far-sighted officials and a dedicated group of volunteers
On the 21st December 1938 a strange fish was caught off the East London Coast, a fish that was thought to be extinct for over two hundred million years. This event was the start of an amazing story…
The Fish
The first hint that western scientists had of a modern, living coelacanth existed was when 32 year old Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer, who was curator of a museum in East London, South Africa, was inspecting local fish catches for unusual specimens in 1938…
The Aircraft
Dakota 6832, the Flying Fish Cart, first flew in 1944 at the Douglas Aircraft Corporation factory in Oklahoma City, USA.
Purchased by Britain under the lease lend scheme she was flown to South Africa in February 1944 and was retired from service in 1992.
The Individuals
When Chris Teale hatched a plan to save the historic C-47 #6832, took it to the OC AFB Ysterplaat, and then enlisted the help of the Friends of the SAAF Museum, little did he know how succesful yet how frustrating the project would be.
The Flight
Haste, planning, an interrupted Christmas, a fish-knapping and a lit stove in flight…
Extract: In the middle of all this hustle and bustle and vitally involved, were the aircrew comprising Commandant (Lt Col) J.P.D Blaauw, the mission commander, Capt P. Letley the captain of the aircraft, Lt D.M Ralston, the navigator. Lt W.J Bergh, a newly qualified navigator under training, Corporal J.W.J van Niekerk, the Wireless Operator and Corporal F. Brink, the Flight Engineer…
Learn more…The Call
Interrupt the Prime Miniter on his Christmas Holidays is a good plan. Smith finally got through on the telephone to Dr Malan, who was on holiday at the time, on the evening of the 26th of December…
In-flight coffee was not a good idea
He also asked if he could light his small primus stove to make us some coffee, which request was turned down because of the risk of fire on board – one of the worst nightmares for aircrew. He was rather miffed…
Uncertainty
The only information available on the airfield at Dzaoudzi was that it had been built by the South African forces during the invasion of Madagascar during WW2. There was no guarantee that the airfield was in fact serviceable…
Planning
Prof Smith had opened his trunk and produced some fruit, biscuits, dried figs and cheese which he shared with us. I learned later that there were also several hundred cigarettes in the trunk for trading with the locals if necessary!
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Our Team
Over the many years since the project began, the team of Volunteers, drawn from the Friends of the SAAF Museum, has changed. Here are some of the past and current members who have been involved over the last two decades.
Chris Teale
Museum Curator
Kevin Furness
Project Godfather / Lead
Cameron Kirk Kinnear
Sponsor, Project Lead
Robin Stobbs
Historical Advisor
Trevor Smith
Project Team One
Tony
Santos
Team Member
Bernard Schafer
Team Stalwart
Bill Reeves
Team Member
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