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Post by Bearcat on Sept 12, 2014 8:21:34 GMT 12
Plans are underway to fly Boeing 737 ZS-SMD (ex ZK-NAV) to Rand Airport (FAGM) to join the SAA Museum collection where it will be preserved. Its final flight to join the Museum should happen in the next week or two. View of current SAA Museum collection  Pic of ZS-SMD landing at FAOR in 2009  |
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Post by Peter Lewis on Sept 12, 2014 21:38:07 GMT 12
ZK-NAV in its previous life 1986 - 1999  |
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Post by Bearcat on Sept 13, 2014 7:08:44 GMT 12
The Boeing will be making its last flight from OR Tambo Airport Johannesburg (FOAR) at around 10am on Sunday 14th Sept 2014 and will probably be on the ground at Rand 30 minutes later. All going according to plan, I will be doing an air to air photo sortie during its final flight  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 13, 2014 13:02:26 GMT 12
What will you use as the camera-ship Bearcat? I am looking forward to seeing the results if it happens.
Will the aircraft be given some livery when it goes into preservation? It's great to know one of the Air New Zealand B.737's is being preserved even if it's not in this country.
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Post by Bearcat on Sept 13, 2014 17:00:39 GMT 12
What will you use as the camera-ship Bearcat? I am looking forward to seeing the results if it happens. Will the aircraft be given some livery when it goes into preservation? It's great to know one of the Air New Zealand B.737's is being preserved even if it's not in this country. I will be in a Piper Turbo Saratoga with the rear door off. The key is the pilots involved who have plenty of formation time. The crew in the the 737 as well as the photoship pilot are all ex military fast jet pilots and are current airline pilots as well as members of the Good Year Eagles Aerobatic Team. www.goodyeareagles.com/If/when funds become available it will likely be painted in SAA colours even though this particular example never served in SAA |
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Post by Bearcat on Sept 16, 2014 7:51:37 GMT 12
Boeing 737 ZS-SMD taken during its final flight to join the SAA Museum collection at Rand Airport FAGM 14 Sept 2014  |
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Post by Bearcat on Sept 16, 2014 7:55:36 GMT 12
Boeing 737 ZS-SMD 14 Sept at Rand Airport FAGM  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 16, 2014 9:27:01 GMT 12
Super photos!! Well done.
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Post by ZacYates on Sept 16, 2014 16:26:36 GMT 12
Great photos Bearcat! Talk about an unusual historic A2A subject. I'm also pleased to see she's entering preservation, the -200s (and the 737, really) served us well over the years.
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Post by beagle on Sept 16, 2014 16:37:54 GMT 12
just a pity we won't be having one kept and restored here
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Post by Bearcat on Sept 19, 2014 5:20:38 GMT 12
just a pity we won't be having one kept and restored here Apparently it will not be put into SAA colours .. as it was never operated by SAA .. So any Kiwi that fancies coming over to SA to paint it in Air New Zealand colours is welcome  |
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Post by zknadpukeko on Sept 19, 2015 1:04:56 GMT 12
just a pity we won't be having one kept and restored here I couldnt agree more. but the first 737 ever named Pukeko still exists, a very historic machine by all accounts, registered as ZK-NAD. A lot of history tied up in her. Pleased to hear at least one is safe. Seems most countries are really seeing the significance of early generation jetliners. ZK-NAK may still exisit, in Colombia, and there's a few post merger purchased 732's still around, not least ZK-NQC who gave almost 30 years service to the nation. www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?cnsearch=19930/66&distinct_entry=true |
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