WIX Archives
Re: South African PV1/Venturas
Posted by Tony Jarvis on Fri Oct 18, 2002 01:41:28 PM
In reply top South African PV1/Venturas posted by Paul McMillan on Fri Oct 18, 2002 09:30:02 AM
I surveyed these aircraft when I was in South Africa in 1996 (?). There were 4 MK.II's in compound at the time. These were the former 'recreational cottages' taken back off the land in the 80's. There was also the former SAA Tech School PV-1 (GR.V) aircraft there that had been a VIP transport which I understand is now a restored aircraft on display. There was General Smuts former VIP Transport in store at Rand and the last SAAF Ventura in outside storage at Field aviation. Then there is the restored PV-1 that I have helped the Friends of the SAAF Museum set the interior right in Cape Town.
These aircraft plus the one on display at the 'Tin Hats' compound in JoBerg and the parts that keep showing up from farmyards on the veld make South Africa the only known resource for Ventura parts in the world! Which comes as no surprise as they operated them until 1960.
Their foremost expert on the type, Ivan Springs was murdered at his home shortly after I had the honour of meeting him. South Africa lost a true patriot and aviation historian. He had showed me his draft for a book on SAAF service Ventura use and let me tell you, it was a great piece of work! Unfortunately I have not been informed on when this will, if ever, be published. Let us hope it is.
So....with all this in mind, there are about 10 Venturas in South Africa. I am away from my notes at this time but I have a more detailed report written along with photos of same. If anyone is interested, please e-mail me directly and I can reply when I get home to my own computer on Oct 24th.